12 Tips for an Easier Move
As exciting as it is to move into a new home, not many people look forward to the actual moving day. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving can be stressful. Here are some helpful tips from expert movers to make the big day a little more bearable.
1. Schedule your move well ahead of time. Moving companies get booked up weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. Make sure they know ahead of time if you have any very large or heavy items to move. The last thing you want is for the movers to show up with a truck that isn’t big enough or without enough people to move your belongings safely.
2. Consider letting the moving company pack your items. If it’s within your budget to hire packers, it may be money well spent. Packers are usually very efficient and take time to wrap fragile items securely.
3. Schedule services. Don’t forget to have services transferred or started at your new home!
These may include:
- Power
- Water
- Trash service
- Internet/TV/Phone
- Gas
- Lawn service
- Pool service
- Security system monitoring
4. Have your new home professionally cleaned. No new home owner wants to arrive at a dirty house!
5. Pack a moving supply box. Your moving supply box should contain items you may need while you are unpacking and getting settled in your new home, such as:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Sponge
- All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner
- Scissors
- Furniture moving pads
- Tape measure
- Small tool kit
- Hammer
- Picture hanging kit
- Bottled water, snacks, pet food
- Paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils
- Dish Soap and Hand Soap
- Any special kids items you cannot be without like blankets, stuffed animals, etc.
6. Make Your Bed. As soon as your bed frames and mattresses come off the truck, put them together or have the movers put them together, and make them up. Pack your sheets, blankets, and pillows together in well-marked boxes so you can find them easily. When you are ready to collapse at the end of a moving day, you’ll be thankful the beds are made up and ready to fall into.
7. Pack bath towels and soap with your bed sheets so you can jump in the shower without having to search for towels.
8. Make Plans for Your pets. The last thing you need on moving day is a fur baby that gets hurt or escapes in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Make plans for your pets to spend the day with family or friends, a pet sitter, or boarding facility until you are ready to introduce them to their new home.
9. Say Yes to Helpers! Sometimes it’s hard to accept extra help from family or friends if you aren’t sure what they can help with. Here are some tasks you can delegate:
- Lay shelf liner in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers
- Unpack and put away your kitchen items (you can rearrange later!)
- Babysit or keep your children occupied
- Make up your beds, place towels in the bathrooms
- Wipe down cabinets and counters
- Break down packing boxes
- Hang clothes in closets
- Organize tools and equipment in the garage
- Pick up lunch or dinner
10. Hire a Sitter. Consider hiring child care or asking friends or family to keep your little ones safe and occupied while you unpack.
11. Hire someone to hang your art. Unless you love to hang things yourself, you might consider having a handyman scheduled to come in and hand your wall art and window treatments for you. This can save you a ton of time getting settled!
12. Check out of the old house. Prior to closing, you should have submitted a change of address form with the post office. You’ll also need to remember to transfer your utilities, leave all keys and garage door or gate openers, and make sure the movers don’t pack up things like ceiling fan remote controls or other loose items that stay with the house. Don’t forget to clean out spaces like the attic, backyard sheds, crawl spaces, or any other hideaway spaces you might have stored items. It’s always nice to have the home professionally cleaned for the new owners!