Whether you’re hiring help from a moving company or paying your brother in pizza and soda, you’ll want to be prepared for the day of your move to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Here are 15 Tips for Your Less Stressful Move:
- Pack similar items together to make unpacking easier.
- Getting settled in your new home will happen a lot faster if you pack similar items together. Paper products like towels or toilet paper go in one box, cleaning supplies go in another, items to go in the linen closet go together, etc. Little things like this add up to less stress overall after your move is completed. And labeling the boxes with what room they go in will help your movers get your boxes to the right rooms so you won’t have to spend time moving them around later.
- Start small when packing.
- If you don’t start small, packing up your belongings will seem overwhelming. Start with picture frames and wall décor. Then move on to clothing you won’t need until after the move. Create small, manageable goals to move through, and you’ll be packed in no time.
- Use your cloth items to wrap fragile items.
- Sometimes, you lose track of or throw away the boxes your glassware came in. Instead of using roll after roll of paper towels, newspapers, or bubble wrap, wrap them with your clean tea towels or pillowcases. You’ll not only save a
little, but have fewer boxes to move and unpack.
- Sometimes, you lose track of or throw away the boxes your glassware came in. Instead of using roll after roll of paper towels, newspapers, or bubble wrap, wrap them with your clean tea towels or pillowcases. You’ll not only save a
- Declutter and get rid of junk during the moving process.
- Don’t want that old t-shirt? Don’t take it to your new home! Set aside a corner, a bag, or a box for items to donate. This way you’ll get to your new home and unpack the items you really want there.
- Inspect your furniture for already existing damage.
- Know the state of your furniture before the movers arrive so it doesn’t become a problem after the move. No matter how careful movers are, sometimes, accidents happen.
- Allow extra time—if you can plan ahead, do so.
- When you have a rough idea for your moving date or week, start getting quotes from your movers. Begin packing as soon as you can, starting with belongings you won’t be using until after you move. (I.e. if you’re moving during summer, pack up your winter clothes; pack books you won’t read, dishes or
china you won’t use, etc.) This way, in the days leading up to the move, you’ll be as prepared as you can be.
- When you have a rough idea for your moving date or week, start getting quotes from your movers. Begin packing as soon as you can, starting with belongings you won’t be using until after you move. (I.e. if you’re moving during summer, pack up your winter clothes; pack books you won’t read, dishes or
- Get enough sleep.
- Though it may be tempting to push back sleep and only get three hours of
shut eye , this will only hurt your moving process. You’ll be groggy, exhausted, and won’t have the clear focus you would on a full night’s sleep. If you know you’re going to throw yourself into packing for a few hours before bed, set an alarm for when to stop and stick to that time frame to get to bed. Your body will thank you, and you’ll thank yourself in hindsight after you’ve completed your move with a little more ease.
- Though it may be tempting to push back sleep and only get three hours of
- Remove other obligations that day.
- As easy as it can sound to say you’ll only work in the morning of your afternoon move, take the whole day off. No work, no non-moving related errands on moving day. Things inevitably come up that you’ll need to take care of last minute, and it’ll be much easier to do that if moving is your only obligation that day.
- Confirm and reconfirm all the details in your move.
- Your movers should have policies in place that have them sending you confirmations for your move, but make sure you’re checking up with them too. If there are any new details for
you move, let your mover know as soon as possible with a quick phone call or email. The more they know, the smoother your move will be. If you’re renting a moving truck yourself, confirm with them a couple days before your move and the day before your pick up the truck. You can’t make sure everyone is perfect, but you can make sure you are by staying on top of your details and confirmations.
- Your movers should have policies in place that have them sending you confirmations for your move, but make sure you’re checking up with them too. If there are any new details for
- Move your valuable items in your own vehicle.
- Even with the most trusted movers, move your own valuables in your own vehicle so you know where they are and handle them yourself. It’s worth it for that extra peace of mind of knowing you’re the only one who has moved them.
- Reconfirm insurance or buy extra insurance.
- Always check with your movers about whether they are insured. If you have something you can’t move but are very worried about it being moved, get extra insurance on top of theirs to make sure it’s going to be okay. Even when renting a truck you’ll be driving, get the extra insurance. Something may happen that is out of your control, and the $14 insurance add-on will be worth it should a problem arise that would cost thousands of dollars without the insurance.
- Have a priority list of concerns.
- Let your movers know about any concerns you have ahead of time and during your move. Prepare a list of what is really important to you and stress that. If you’re thinking “This piece really, really matters; can you take more time with it?” Ask your movers, and they absolutely will.
- Be aware of deadlines.
- And let your moving company or those helping you know. If you’re scheduling your house to be loaded onto the truck and have to be out for settlement at 1, it’s better to know ahead of time rather than the day of.
- Use disposable plates and utensils during your last day or two.
- You still need to eat while your dinnerware is packed up. Using disposable plates and utensils will cut down on last minute packing and dishwashing. You won’t be hurrying to pack your kitchen the morning of your move and be exhausted during your move because your kitchen wasn’t packed.
- Be prepared for your movers.
- Following all of these tips will help you be prepared for when your movers arrive. The more prepared you are with your boxes being packed, the more time you’ll save during your move. Sometimes, saving time could save you money if your
movers rates are hourly.
- Following all of these tips will help you be prepared for when your movers arrive. The more prepared you are with your boxes being packed, the more time you’ll save during your move. Sometimes, saving time could save you money if your
No matter how you decide to move, whether doing it yourself, moving is a stressful experience and things are going to happen along the way that don’t always go according to plan. But if you plan accordingly you’ll be able to take all those bumps in the road in stride. Regardless of the reason that you’re moving, preparation is key to making your move as enjoyable as it can be.
… P.S. One last tip: try to have a little bit of fun if possible. Laughter always helps. Good luck on your move!
