Whether you are planning to move out soon to enjoy bigger and better things in life, to downsize for financial savings or for other reasons, you may have mixed feelings about the project in front of you. As amazing as your life may be after you relocate, the reality is that moving is a huge project that requires an incredible amount of time, energy and planning. If you are preparing to move out soon, these five essentials can pave the way for a smoother transition.
A Checklist
With most major projects, you would sit down to strategize the project and create a to-do list. However, many people fail to do this when they are preparing to move. Instead, they jump right in and figure things out as they go. While this may yield progress, it also can create unnecessary stress and chaos. It is also possible that you could overlook an important step that is essential to the relocation process. A smart idea is to create a checklist of items that require your attention. Assign a date to each item so that you stay on track with your plan.
The Right Supplies
In order to pack successfully, you need to have a full range of supplies on-hand. It is not reasonable to pack all of your items in the same size of boxes. After all, some items would not fit. Some items may make large boxes too heavy to move. Smaller and heavier items should be placed in smaller boxes. Linens and bulky items should be placed in larger boxes. Remember to place lighter and fragile items on tip, and always protect breakables with bubble wrap or other supplies. When you are ordering supplies, remember to buy several rolls of box tape and a few permanent markers.
Donation Pickup
You will need to pack and move fewer items if you spend time pulling out unnecessary or unwanted items before you pack. Schedule a charitable donation pickup so that you can quickly remove the items from your possession without hassle. Remember to keep your receipt so that you can use the donation as a tax deduction. If you have time, you can also consider selling some of your items in a garage sale or online.
A Moving Company
Hiring a moving company to assist you on moving day is an essential step. Some Houston moving companies offer packing and unpacking services. Understand your needs before you begin searching for a moving company. Remember to screen moving companies thoroughly. Always choose reputation and experience over price. While you need to move on a budget, you cannot afford to deal with a moving team that does not show up, that works too slowly, that breaks your items or that tacks on extra charges at the end of the service.
A Cleaning Service
After the movers load your items onto the truck, you need to clean up the space before you turn in your keys. It can be surprising how filthy a home is after all of the contents are removed. Your landlord or your home’s new owners will need this space beautifully clean. While you could save money cleaning the home on your own, this is an exhausting hassle. It also may take much longer to clean an empty home than you might think. After all, you may want to leave all thoughts of your old home behind and focus on settling into your new home. Hire a cleaning service to tackle this chore for you.
Relocating to a new home may seem straightforward at first glance, but you can see now see that a successful and streamlined relocation requires you to create a thoughtful plan and to recruit help at strategic times throughout the process. Now that you know more about what it takes to execute a successful relocation, you can begin implementing these tips in your own efforts today.