How to Have an Organized Move
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Whether you are moving because of a new job, to be near family, because your kids are grown and you want to downsize to a smaller home, or if you are moving into a retirement community, setting up a few guidelines at the start will help you to have an organized move. To start, you should declutter your home before moving. Next, follow the Living. Simplified. steps to an organized move, check and double-check that your larger pieces of furniture or artwork will fit in your new home, and then get the process started! Follow along for some of the best tips and tricks to help you have an organized move.
Why Should I Declutter My House Before Moving?
Decluttering before a move instead of throwing everything into boxes will make unpacking in your new home a little less stressful. Here’s why you should pare down belongings:
Lower transportation costs. Moving companies use labor time to calculate cost of local moves and weight to calculate the cost of long-distance moves. In either case, less ‘stuff’ means lower cost.
Fewer dollars spent on packing supplies. The more you pack, the more moving materials you’ll need, like boxes, bubble wrap and furniture blankets, which means more money spent on supplies.
It’s better for the environment. Less to pack means fewer packing materials, so you’ll have less waste to send to the landfill when you unbox everything. Having fewer items also means less weight on the truck, which can help reduce fuel consumption.
Less time spent packing. If you get rid of your unwanted items before you pack, you’ll have less to box up, speeding up the process.
Extra room in your budget. If you choose to sell any items you won’t be taking with you, you’ll make a little extra cash, which always comes in handy during a move.
More space in your new home. If you’re moving to a home with less closet and storage space, getting rid of things before you get there will make it easier to find a place for everything.
How to Decide What to Toss
Now that we know why we should declutter before moving, how do we sort everything into “keep” and “don’t keep” piles? Ask yourself these 10 questions to decide what to keep and what to throw away when moving:
Do I really need this?
Is it in good condition?
Would I buy it again today?
How often do I wear or use this?
Will this fit or match my new home?
Is this worth the space it’s taking up?
Do I have more than one of these items?
Will it be too expensive or a hassle to move this?
Is this item irreplaceable? Does it have sentimental value?
How practical is this item? Does it bring value into my life?
How to Have an Organized Move
Living. Simplified. has put together a Moving Cheat Sheet (send us an email to get your copy!) which focuses on how to declutter your home before packing. The details, outlined below, will ensure that your move is organized from the start. Jeremy Forest, owner of Bridges Bros. Movers in Exeter, NH recently told Living. Simplified, "As a moving company we work with all types of clients. Our most successful and stress-free moves are always with clients who have taken the time to get organized." Jeremy supplies his clients with his own moving checklist. Utilizing the Living. Simplified. cheat sheet, or one from your moving company, can help you make sure everything is in order leading up to your move.
2 Months Before
Sort and declutter. Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Shred papers that are no longer needed. Sort clothing, shoes, toys, books, games, and other houseware items. Sell or donate unwanted items.
Research moving companies. Start investigating moving company options and request on-site estimates. Get estimate in writing. During peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the earlier you contact moving companies, the better!
Create a moving binder. Use this binder to track your estimates, your receipts, important phone numbers and an inventory of the items you are moving. Download the Living. Simplified. Inventory Tracker.
Contact your insurance agent. Arrange to cancel your current home policy and set up another one for your new home.
Change your address. Go online and fill out a change of address form with your local post office.
Register your children for school. Notify their current school that they will be leaving.
6 Weeks Before
Order supplies. Order boxes, tape, bubble wrap, permanent markers, box cutter and other supplies.
Use up perishable food. Take inventory of what is in your refrigerator and freezer and plan on eating the food before you move.
Use up cleaning supplies. It’s best to use up any supplies containing chemicals now as many moving companies will not take them.
Take measurements. Check room dimensions at your new home and make sure that your larger pieces of furniture can fit in the space (and through the door!).
Begin packing. Start packing the items you use infrequently. Make sure to take note of special items that may require additional insurance from your moving company. Be sure to update your inventory list.
1 Month Before
Choose your mover and confirm arrangements. Get written confirmation of your moving date, costs, and other details and be sure to sign the contract.
Notify utility companies. Let them know the date you are leaving/arriving.
Clearly label and number each box. On your inventory sheet, list the contents and its destination. Color coordination of labels and rooms will make things easier for your movers. Print Your Own Labels on Avery 5163 stickers. Be sure to supply your moving crew with a master sheet of the colors/rooms to make it easier for the crew to know where items go.
Separate valuables. If possible, items like jewelry and important files should travel with you.
Notify important parties. Alert financial institutions, your employer, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, credit cards, insurance and utility companies of your new address and phone number.
Forward medical records. Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health care providers.
Arrange to be off from work. No one wants surprise meetings on moving day.
2 Weeks Before
Tune up your car. This is especially important if you are driving long distance to your new home.
Clean out safe-deposit box. You definitely don’t want to leave anything important behind!
Dispose of hazardous materials. No need to move household items like old paint and unused cleaning supplies. Remember, movers can’t transport anything containing flammables, so run/drain gas out of any outdoor equipment that will be transported.
Arrange care for children and pets. Moving day can be stressful for your children and pets. If possible, have them stay with family or friends.
1 Week Before
Refill any prescriptions. Arrange to have the prescriptions changed to a local pharmacy.
Pack your suitcase. Keep a bag of essentials for at least the first night after the move.
Clean your home. And hope that your new home will be move-in ready!
Plan your meals. Make the last grocery run, finish up any food in the house, and plan to eat take-out or go to a restaurant for your last night or two.
Confirm moving day and time. Check in with your moving company one last time.
A Few Days Before
Defrost the freezer. But only if you’re taking it with you. If moving appliances, be sure to disconnect water lines and gas lines.
Clean out the refrigerator. Make sure nothing is left behind and it’s clean for the new owners.
Mow the lawn/shovel the walkway. Make sure the entry points to your house are clear and accessible for the movers.
Complete last-minute packing. Go through your closets, attic, basement etc. and box up those last few items.
Moving Day
Take inventory. Make sure you’ve got your moving binder, overnight bag, car and house keys, and that the house is completely empty.
Bring water and snacks. For you and the movers!
Complete a final walk-through. Take one last walk through the house and hand over the keys to the new owners!
If you can, decide beforehand how you want to organize your home before you unpack, where the furniture will go, and how you’re going to eat your first meal in your new home. Also, be sure to check the smoke alarms in your new home, change locks and determine when trash and recycle pickup will happen next because you’ll need it!