More than Packing Up: Pre-Move Tips For a Smooth Move!

More than Packing Up: Pre-Move Tips For a Smooth Move!

Moving involves more than simply packing your things and unpacking in a new location. There are numerous housekeeping (sometimes literally) items that need to be checked off your list. Knowing everything beforehand, having a game plan, and breaking up that list into manageable chunks can help keep stress to a minimum and make the process a million times smoother— whether you’re moving down the street or across the country. Here are some tips to help you with all of the things!

Step 1: Organizing all of the things! Create a binder with folders and sheet protectors to keep all of your important documents organized, handy, and secure. There are tons of resources out there to guide you, but we found this checklist to be one of the most helpful: https://www.move.org/app/uploads/2020/02/Move.org-Printable-Checkist.pdf 

Step 2: Use technology to track all of the things! There are a slew of websites out there to make moving easier. You can change addresses online through USPS, inform banks, investment companies, the IRS, etc. with your new address, and research your new area with Facebook groups and general Google searches; you can keep your checklists digital and organize everything on your cell so important items and documents are at your fingertips. Be sure to back-up all of your current files, passwords, and important documents on an external hard drive or the cloud. 

Step 3: Schedule all of the things! Again, organization is key with this process. Check out our last blog for more details, but decide whether you’re moving yourself or if you will hire professionals. Make those appointments for inspections, turning on your utilities, scheduling internet or cable installations, security systems, etc., any walk-throughs if you’re currently renting, and orientations or open houses at possible new schools and more. Figure out all of your appointments and keep track of them. 

Step 4: Pause all of the things! If you’re moving out of state or out of the country, this process can be trickier. Many times you might be staying somewhere like a hotel or crashing at a friend’s place if there’s a gap between your moving out and moving in dates. Having your mail put on hold or forwarded to a trusted friend or relative is a must. Pausing all deliveries from Amazon and other subscription services is another must do. Booking any necessary hotels or overnight stays, and planning the actual move or trip— if journeying through numerous states— also warrants attention, and managing your priority boxes or suitcases of things you’ll need to survive should all be written out and added to your checklist. 

Step 5: Clean all of the things! You’ll probably do some of this as you organize, but hiring a professional cleaning company for a move out clean to ensure you get back a deposit (if you were renting) or if you just need something taken off of your overflowing plate is a great idea. If you have allergies or just want to make life easier before moving into the new place, schedule a move-in clean there as well before it’s filled with boxes!

Step 6: Find all of the (safety) things! Locating all of the circuit breakers, main gas valves and lines, water lines, and more in your new home is a smart idea. Changing all of the locks (and scheduling this to be done) is a vital step as well to ensuring your safety. Driving around or simply using Google maps to locate the nearest emergency facilities or hospitals is always a smart move to prepare for the unexpected. If you’re moving into a known hurricane area or a new climate where tornadoes or another natural disaster is often a threat, familiarize yourself with what needs to be done or prepped in case of an emergency. The Red Cross and other organizations all have great apps for this that you can easily download on your phone as well. 

Step 7: Budget for all of the things! Moving is expensive. Planning extra meals and conveniences to make life easier adds up fast, too. Boxes and packing materials, installation fees, or even just tipping your friends who love you so much they’re volunteering to get a workout one weekend ALL adds up. Budget out the big expenses and then double it— just to be safe!