Moving is difficult and stressful. Even if you are moving to a new home, it can be a daunting experience. The good news is that it’s easy to make the process as manageable and painless as possible. With some preparation and planning, your move can be quick, straightforward, and hassle-free!
However, what do you need to know before moving day? If you are embarking on this journey for the first time, using these tips to make your move easier and more successful might just enable you to avoid all that stress!
1. Choosing Your Mover
There are many expert movers out there, and each of them has a different approach to their business. There are some things you can do in advance to make sure you make the best choice for your move.
Ask around from friends and family who have recently moved and ask them how they found their moving company. Did they use a full-service mover, or did they hire a truck, trailer, and team of movers?
Word of mouth is generally the best advertising a company cannot pay for, and for consumers, it’s the most trustworthy. However, getting free quotes from companies will help solidify your decision.
2. Get Ready For Packing
After you have chosen a moving company, it is time to pack. While this may seem overwhelming, it is possible to tackle it well. First, take an inventory of your belongings. This will help you make a plan for proper packing, storage, and transportation of your belongings.
Make a plan for packing your belongings into boxes and packaging materials using labels and color-coding to help things go smoothly.
3. Leave Out An Overnight Bag
Bring an overnight bag with you on moving day. This way, if anything comes up and your move is delayed, you will have a bag packed with clothes and essentials to help you get by. Things that should be in your overnight bag include:
- A set of comfy pajamas
- Your cell phone charger
- Your toothbrush and toothpaste
- A change of clothes
- Your toiletry bag with your favorite products
- A blanket and a pillow
4. Meet The Team!
Moving day is fast approaching, and you will want to make sure the team of movers you have hired is the best one for your needs. To do so, it’s a good idea to meet the team in advance so that you feel comfortable when they arrive in your home on moving day.
Trust is important, so go over the contract point by point, discussing any concerns you may have. When you are satisfied with the contract, ask to see a copy of the moving company’s license and insurance.
5. Prepare Your Children For The Move
Prepare your children for the move by talking about it with them. Let them know about the plans for their transition (new school, new routine) and reassure them that everything will be all right. They’ll be much happier if they know what is going on and feel included in the decision-making process.
If they are old enough, give them tasks to complete in preparation for the move (planting flowers in a pot or watering the house plants).
6. Hire a Professional Cleaner
Try not to try to clean the home yourself. If you have to move out before the move, then be sure to hire a professional cleaner with a cleaning license. A professional cleaning company will come in and get rid of dust and grime, sanitize your floors and surfaces, do laundry, and put it away. Most importantly, they’ll leave everything sparkling clean and smelling fresh when they’re done!
7. Have A Physical Check-Up Before Moving Day
Moving is stressful, so make sure that you are staying physically healthy as you prepare for your big day. Schedule regular medical check-ups before you move to ensure that there are no underlying health concerns that can affect your performance on moving day.
This is especially helpful if you are moving to a new area and switching doctor’s offices. Be sure to get copies of any important notes and get extra supplies of needed regular medications too.
8. Plan For Pets
Pets are an undoubtedly essential part of the family. When it is time to move, you need to take your pets into account. If you have a more common pet like a dog or cat, make sure to schedule regular veterinary visits as your move gets closer. Discuss with your veterinarian the best way to make the transition from one home to another. They will be able to provide advice on how long you should wait before moving if they have recommended any dietary changes.
If you plan on using a pet transport service, make sure that they offer services that you’re happy with before signing a contract (if needed).
Moving with exotic pets is more complicated, but many exotic pet transport services are available. Just do your research before booking.
9. Pack The Night Before
The night before your move, finish packing and labeling boxes. The goal is to have everything packed and ready to go the next morning. You will want to devote one box or tub for your items that you won’t use at all during the moving process. Put this at the top of your moving truck so that it is easy to grab after the movers have unloaded everything else!
10. Arrange Your Utilities
Check with your utility providers (electricity, water, cable, etc.) to ensure that the services will be active at your new home.
You will want to arrange to have your utilities connected at least a few days before your move. Some utility providers may need you to visit in person, and others may be able to take care of things over the phone.
If you have an alarm system or water service with a monitor installed, then be sure to have it disconnected before you move. Leaving those systems on in a vacant home can be hazardous if moisture builds up in the property and it’s not monitored by professionals.
11. Moving Day!
On moving day, when your movers arrive, be sure to check their ID cards and ask for proof of insurance. It’s important for you to know who is representing your moving company to make sure you have a good experience. If anything goes wrong, you can hold them accountable.
If something happens on the day of the move that has nothing to do with the movers (for example, if they can’t get through traffic), you’ll need to be really clear on the terms and conditions to see if you’re entitled to compensation.
At this point, you will have what you need to begin loading your belongings into the moving truck or trailer.
12. Move On – Enjoy Your New Home!
Moving can be stressful, but once you have all your belongings sorted and you are in your new home, it’s time to enjoy it! Having a great life is all about enjoying the things that matter to you. Try to take in every moment because you will only move into this home once.
13. Meet Your New Neighbors
Once you’re settled into your new home, you really should start meeting your new neighbors.
Introduce yourself and introduce your kids to your neighbors. It’s important for everyone to get along, and it will make your transition from one place to another a lot smoother. You may find they introduce themselves to you, but if not, don’t be afraid to reach out, especially if you have moved somewhere you don’t know anyone at all.
14. Get Involved!
Get involved in the community where you live – what better way to feel at home than to volunteer or pursue an activity that you love? If you don’t know where to start, take a look at the local clubs, sporting events, or churches in the area. Again this is a great way to meet people and make friends.
