Whether it’s for a new job, a new school, or simply to start fresh, moving houses is a normal part of life. And while it can be exciting, the process is also fraught with frustrations, especially if you’re unprepared for it. Here are five things you can do to create a smooth transition when moving:
Start Early
Leave as much gap between the day you decide to move and your move-out date. Starting early is perhaps the easiest way to move with little to no stress. Unless it’s an unprecedented event that forces you to move out, such as natural disaster or family illness, you’ll want to start with the preparations as soon as you decide to move. Although you don’t have to finish packing everything in a week, you shouldn’t delay it until the last week to do it either. As a general rule of thumb, allocate one week for every room in your household. That means that if you have four rooms to clear out and pack, you’ll want to have at least a month to do it.
Know What to Bring and What Not To
Moving leaves you with a timely opportunity to purge items you don’t really need and those that are merely collecting dust. Start dividing your belongings based on their value and size. Bulky and expensive items, such as antique furniture, high-end appliances and electronics, and designer brand winter clothing, should be your top priority to pack and bring. Meanwhile, inexpensive and bulky items, such as a worn-down mattress and bed frame and rusty kitchenware, are items that are expensive to transport and can be easily replaced when you get to your new space.
Find a Mover
A reliable but inexpensive moving service is invaluable, especially for long-distance moves. Decide on what type of move you are looking to do. Some movers only concentrate on local neighborhoods while others such as Collegian Movers in CT, service larger territories. Cost is another criteria that’s important when hiring a mover. Service providers will either charge you a flat fee or an hourly fee. Good prospects will also provide a free, no-obligation quote for their services. You’ll want to be as specific about the workload as possible so you can get an accurate quote. If you have items that you plan on putting in temporary storage, choose a mover that also offers storage services.
Prepare Your Family
Your family members will also be undertaking a physically and mentally strenuous journey during the move. As much as you should be focusing on moving your personal belongings safely from point A to point B, you’ll want to make sure your family is also up to speed and is well-prepared. Pack the luggage you’ll be flying or driving with. This should include essentials, such as first aid kit, legal documents, weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, prescription medication, etcetera. If you have a pet, make arrangements in advance. Check which airlines allow pets to board on the passenger cabin and if there are any state- or country-imposed laws concerning pet relocation. Some states require a 30-day quarantine period for dogs or cats while others may need paperwork to ensure they have the proper vaccination/s.
Prepare Your New Home
Moving into a new house is as laborious as moving out of your old one. Have a moving day kit ready to make the move even simpler. Cleaning supplies, garbage bags, an extra set of clothes, rags and linens, and a vacuum cleaner are essential items to include in the kit. Once you get to your new home, use the kit to clean every room before you unload your items. If you are moving with children or pets, it may make it easier for you to take them to a daycare or have a sitter watch over them. This makes it possible for you to clean and unpack uninterrupted.
Final Thoughts
A stress-free move is all about planning ahead, being organized, and using moving hacks to make the process less laborious and time-consuming. Aside from the tips aforementioned in this article, other hacks that can prove useful when moving include taking inventory of your stuff, labeling all boxes, and hooking up all essential services including gas, electricity, water, and the internet in advance.
Your points about how to decide what to bring and what not to, especially in a cluttered house, really helped to read. We’ve been living in the old house that my wife inherited for a long time now, and with her full approval, we decided to move out to a newer home. Since this place has ended up with a lot of miscellaneous and now-useless items, I’ll make sure we segregate and properly dispose of these items first before getting a moving company to help us out with what’s left.