7 Moving Tips for a Simplified Move!
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Whether you are moving because of a job relocation, to be closer to family, or are downsizing, planning ahead can make the entire moving process run smoothly. Fortunately, Living. Simplified. has plenty of tips to make the process easier for you!
There’s a lot to keep track of while preparing for your move. With all the moving parts, having some general guidelines can help ease your move and give you peace of mind. Remember, each household will have specific needs – how to move large artwork or how to safely move a pet – that may require special accommodations, but by-and-large these general tips will make things run like clockwork on move day.
For now, take a look at these tips, and prepare for a smoother, quicker, easier move.
Be sure to book vendors early. Whether it’s the movers, cleaning company or painters, knowing that you have them locked in according to your schedule will take a lot of stress out of the moving process.
Declutter before you pack. Don’t second guess yourself and follow my 20/20 rule: if you can replace it for less than $20 in under 20 minutes, toss it now! Be sure to read the Living. Simplified. blog 9 Categories to Declutter Before You Move for additional help!
Start packing as far in advance as possible. Yes, it’s true, sometimes a move happens last minute. But if you’re lucky, you will have at least 3 months, if not longer, to pack for your move. If so, start right away (but not before doing tip #2!), preferably in a room or space that you don’t use often. We suggest completing one room at a time.
Create a moving binder. A binder can hold important phone numbers, your moving checklist, extra labels, and a spreadsheet that lists where everything is packed. Yes, you can keep this all digitally too, but sometimes having a hard copy is best. Download the Living. Simplified. Moving Inventory List.
Schedule utilities. Once you have a confirmed move in date, be sure to contact the electric, cable, and water companies to turn off at your current location and turn on in your new home.
Keep essentials with you. Keep a bag of essentials (at least for the first night after the move) so you don’t have to dig through boxes for a change of clothes, toothbrush, important paperwork (you have your binder, right?), a favorite stuffed animal and sleepwear for everyone.
Have the right supplies. Make sure that you have all the supplies you need to pack and unpack. Even if your movers are packing most of your items, you might want to pack the most fragile items, expensive jewelry, and other personal items. You’ll need boxes, bubble wrap, tape, box cutters, labels, permanent markers, and garbage bags.
Talking about having the right supplies, let’s discuss LABELS! Labeling is key, not just for you, but for the movers! I highly suggest using color coded labels (if you want to purchase some, these are my favorite). If you prefer to print labels at home, download the Living. Simplified. Moving Labels and print them on Avery 5163 (or other 2” x 4” sticker labels).
Here’s how Living. Simplified. suggests that you label your boxes and furniture.
Assign a color to each room in your house and use the appropriate label on every box or piece of furniture.
Keep an inventory as to what goes into each box using your favorite spreadsheet program (and print out your final list and put it in your binder!).
Prior to the movers arriving at your new home, use an extra color-coded label and place it on the door frame outside the appropriate room. That’s right. Take a pink master bedroom label and put it right on the door. Do this for every room or closet. Trust me, your movers will thank you!
Why is labeling so important? It ensures that your boxes get placed in the correct room, it keeps you from having to answer questions while the movers are unpacking the vans and it helps if you have boxes going to different locations (your new home; a donation center; a storage unit). And it will reduce the amount of time the movers work, which will save you money.