Moving house is one of the most daunting activities we all need to put up with at least once in a lifetime. According to psychologists, a move can be as stressful as a divorce. One thing you can do to alleviate this stress is to put together an excellent moving checklist to rely on. Here are a few tips to help you create the most practical moving checklist.
The first thing to do is to set the date when your move will take place. This should allow you to come up with a reasonable schedule. By the big day of the move, you should have nothing else to do but to watch the movers loading up their trucks to transport your belongings to the new address.
Your checklist should start with things to handle two months before the move. These items include sorting your stuff to decide what to keep, what to give away or to sell, and what to discard. You should also assess the needs for special packaging. For instance, you need to move a piano or another large musical instrument, you’ll have to find movers who can pack and transport such fragile items without damaging them. Vintage furniture also requires special packaging and a bit more attention than regular items. For making move easier, keep these in mind when you shop around for moving companies. This is also the stage of the process when you have to research moving companies, contact them and ask for quotes. Since you already know when you’re going to move, there’s no point in waiting until you don’t find any mover available for your desired date. Good movers are usually busy, so you should secure your spot as early as possible. This is how you can ensure that you’ll have your cardboard boxes and labels handy to start using them right away. Besides, your moving company of choice will help you organize your move by pointing out some items you may have forgotten to add to your checklist. Also, this is the best time to start checking out schools in your new neighborhood. Furthermore, arrange for your children’s school records to be ready to transfer to their new schools.
To keep tabs on all things going on, you should create a binder to file all moving-related documents. Try to keep things organized to avoid unnecessary headaches, misunderstandings, and delays.
Ideally, you should have your moving supplies ready about six weeks before the big day. If your moving company provides you with everything you need, ensure they stick to this deadline. If not, this is the right time to buy cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, labels, markers, and specialty containers. Don’t even think about putting your things in plastic bags, as this will be the biggest mistake ever. Not only do you risk having your stuff damaged, but you are going to have a hard time unpacking at your destination. When you pack your belongings, ensure that your largest items fit through the doors.
This is also the time to cancel your agreements with your utility suppliers. Most of them would want you to give at least one month of notice before canceling your agreements, so you should ensure you submit your canceling requests in due time. Also, consider checking out with new service providers at your destination to sign your new agreements just before you move in. The main point is to have all these details sorted out before you start unpacking. You should have water, electricity, and internet at your new address at least one or two days before the moving day. Keep in mind that movers will want to wash their hands after handling your boxes.
One month before the move, you can start packing your belongings. Always separate your valuables and pack them in special boxes that you can take with you in your car. If you want to have the peace of mind that nobody would steal from you, don’t let movers handle these valuables. If you move to another state and want to ship your car to the destination rather than driving it, consider making all needed arrangements one month before moving.
One week before the move, you should already pack your suitcases. Make sure you and your other family members are free that day. Arrange with a home cleaning service to come and help you clean the house after your departure. Prepare an exhaustive inventory list. On the moving day date and sign it and prepare a copy to hand to the moving company. Also, make sure you have the cash to tip the movers. Last but not least, when the truck arrives, check out their USDOT number to ensure that it’s the truck you ordered. This will help you avoid any scams.
