Moving into your new, amazing home can be one of the happiest and exciting moments of your life. It is the end of a chapter and the start of a whole new amazing part of your life that you will experience.
However, if not done properly, moving houses can also be an endless source of stress and frustration.
That is why we are going to focus, below, on all the best, most efficient and clever ways to organize a perfect move, the move that you will later want to remember and refer to.
Best Tips and Tricks for an Easy Move
Packing all your belongings in boxes and moving them around can be tough. We've all been there. Chances are we all have had unforgettable moves as well as dreadful moments.
First, make a list. Before starting the moving process, stop and give yourself time to imagine how your new home will look like.
That is also a great moment to make a list of all the unnecessary objects. Your home might be hiding quite a number of items that you've been waiting to get rid of.
There might also be some that are simply not worth the trouble of being packed, transported and unpacked at the new location. Use this moment to think about this and make a list of everything that needs to go.
Remember, some charities are willing to come and collect, free of charge, all the things that you are willing to donate. If your list might end up including things that you may not want to move with, but are too valuable to just give away, start selling them on eBay a few weeks before the moving happens.
This might go so well that you might even be able to fund part of your moving costs out of it.
Second, make a plan. A smart and well thought of strategy might save you time, effort, frustration or even a future meltdown, as well as all the misery that comes with it.
In order to do that, use smart ways to take some of the weight off your shoulders. Try backing up all the data that you have on your computer in an external hard drive, or, even better, in a cloud service program. Knowing that your computer information is securely backed up can be pretty relieving.
Third, pack like a pro. There is no limit as to how good you can pack because there is no such thing as an overly good packing, especially if you are faced with an interstate move.
Here are the inner tips and tricks that can make our lives easier when moving comes knocking at our doors:
Use press and seal.
It's also a brilliant idea to buy a roll of stretch wrap.
It protects your valuables from being scratched and battered during transportation .
Vacuum seal out-of-season clothing. You might also want to pack them in boxes and suitcases.
Wheeled suitcases are a perfect choice for the transportation of heavy stuff like books.
Defrost your refrigerator 24 hours before the move.
Hire a sitter for your kids/pets, so that you don't have to worry about them.
Consider buying insurance to cover any accidents that might occur during the move. Review and plow the market for the best options for relocation coverage through insurance. Remember that the services of some professional moving companies come with insurance.
The truth is, many accidents can happen when moving from one home to another. And that is why you would want your objects to be insured. Online insurance can be bought as fast as in 10 minutes if you are already decided on what you need.
Consider buying insurance and offer yourself a worry-free move. You deserve it!
Start with the Easiest and the Most Important, Sensitive Stuff
Make sure you start packing by arranging together the most sensitive and important stuff.
These aspects include identification documents, property documents or sensitive financial information as well as jewelry, electronics, and your personal computer.
All of these objects need to be specially packed and cared for. All important documents should be stored in a fire-proof box, under lock and key. That box should always be under your care and placed in your personal car during the move.
Try a deposit box for your nice and neatly packed jewelry. There is always the option of pressing and sealing the jewelry drawer/board as it is and placing it in your personal car.
If your computer is a laptop, take it with you in your overnight bag. If not, label its cords carefully and store it separately in a safe corner. It might be the last thing to pack and the first to unpack at the new home.
Easy labeling systems make success stories - in this case, a good labeling system is more helpful than a personal assistant.
The best way to go in order to organize the boxes in the best way during a move is to employ a hybrid system between a color label system (assign each room a color) and a list comprising of all the objects that go into each colored, numbered box.
This way, when you want something you don't need to search for it forever, but go straight to the point, with a little help from your genius master list. Stay organized with the help of a colorful, multi-purpose binder.
The binder should include: your master list, the information from the moving company, your checkbook, and all your current bills, stamps, and memory sticks.
It should also have computer data backup devices, as well as some medical information if you are suffering from any chronic health issue. For long distances, the binder might also include information about your pets and their vaccinations.
This binder should stay safely with you throughout the move. Make sure you don't lose it from your sight. Always pack a box of essentials. There is nothing more frustrating than getting to your new home and then starting to search through tens of boxes in order to scrape up the essentials that you may need right away.
So, in order to avoid this little set-back, plan in advance and fully pack a smart box with the most basic but essential stuff. This box will safely and happily get you through your first day/night in your new home. The most appropriate choice for the essentials box is a clear plastic bean with a lid.
That will also make it stand out and help you easily differentiate it from all the rest of the boxes lying around everywhere.
A few of the things that you might include in the essentials box are: a few dishes, towels, sheets, kettle, coffee press, phone charger, hair drier, toilet paper, light bulbs, one or two rolls of trash bags, paper towels and the much-needed tools and box cutters.
Don't forget to complete the box of essentials with an overnight bag, clothes for changing, your laptop and some sealed (it's very important that they are sealed!) small bottles of shampoo and shower gel.
The essentials box and the overnight bag will get you through the first day and night without any problems, even if you feel too exhausted to unpack anything straight after the move.
Moving Out of the State or Changing the City of Residence
Moving to a different part of the town that you live in is something, but having to move to a different city or a different state even is a whole new ball game.
Make sure you that get the best transportation/moving day - The thing with our off town and out-of-state moves is that it is expensive and will require a detailed, extensive planning.
With intrastate moves costing an average of $2000 - $3000, and interstate moves averaging $7000 - $8000, you definitely need to consider all your moving options carefully (including whether or not you might want to drive or ship off your car in advance). We recommend that you get at least 3 to 4 bids from different moving companies before you decide with whom to work with. That will ensure that you get a fair price and maybe even a good deal out of it.
The first thing to consider while analyzing these bids is verifying that the movers you want to work with are legit and up to date with all the required insurance and approvals.
Other things to have in mind and inquire about are the motor-vehicle and liability insurances, as well as the workers' compensation plan in case of an accident. Most of the moving companies that are serious have this information already listed on their websites.
If not, don't shy away from giving them a call. It is important to settle all these details and get them out of the way before the big day arrives. Don't forget to book well in advance. Consider the right transportation option for you.
The truck size matters. It is imperative that you pick out the right transportation for your impending change of houses. While the objects from a one-bedroom apartment might just fit a 16' cubic meter truck, the content of a fully furnished 3-bedroom house might require up to 2 or 3 trips of a 26' truck.
Make sure that you spare yourself a lot of grief and get the right size for your moving truck, especially if you are faced with a long distance move. You might also want to check if your moving company is sub-leasing your contracts with movers from a different state.
If so, that puts your objects and boxes in that much of a risk. Make sure insurance covers everything. On the day of the move, double check that you have all the contact information regarding the mover in a handy place.
Make sure that all is up and running and ready for your arrival at your new home. We know it is highly improbable that you can travel across the state to verify that all is ready for your arrival. However, there are some things you can do remotely to make sure that your move in the new house will go smoothly. One example is moving your utilities and home services.
The importance of a checklist. The checklist is one of the most important things. A good checklist is like a user-friendly, clear map of the road ahead. It can tell you what to do and when to do it.
It will help you organize all the aspects of the move before it starts and keep it organized during the move itself. The importance of following a checklist lies in the fact that it puts thoughts in order, and it enables people to put any unnecessary worry aside.
Take pictures to ensure you recover your deposit.
Take clear, good quality pictures of your old empty and cleaned house right before you leave. Do the same thing in the new home that you are moving into, right after you arrive. These pictures might help you to ensure that you are recovering your deposits.
The deposit is usually an important sum money during the period of a big move. Considering how expensive your move might get, the deposit might help you round up your savings and pay for everything.
Choosing and Hiring a Mover
The checklist above is as thorough as it gets, with the weekly tasks to tick off as you go along the way. However, a big factor to consider is whether or not to hire a mover. Movers are a big help with all the items you need to pack, load and transport over a long distance.
If you have a lot of stuff to bring with you, hiring a moving company will definitely be the practical choice.
The big deal is choosing the right moving company to work with you. Here are some things to consider when hiring movers:
Reputation. Ask around for movers that friends and relatives will recommend based on experience. Have at least three companies to compare services and reviews from before making your final choice.
Choose local. Oftentimes, local companies are the better choice in terms of budget and availability.
Ask for an in-house cost estimate. Let them see your belongings and inform them of the distance to your new home so they can quote you an estimate.
Look at the fine print. Check their cost estimate for hidden charges, insurance coverage, payment terms, policy on damage to items, etc. Compare these with the other movers you are considering and base your decision on your comparisons. When making your final choice for a mover to hire, keep in mind that getting the cheapest mover doesn't always guarantee that you'll save on money. Cheap could mean mediocre service, and that may incur unwanted problems along the way. Choose wisely and take all the above-mentioned factors into consideration.
Renting a U-Haul Instead
A U-Haul is a truck that you can rent to load your things when moving to a different location.
Unlike movers, you do the packing, loading and driving yourself. This may be a great way to save on moving cost, but only if you have a manageable amount of stuff to bring with you.
You can call on your friends for help in packing and loading your things into this rented truck. This will make it easier to do the moving without professional help.
To get the best U-Haul deal and pull off a successful and uneventful move, these are some things to keep in mind:
Time your move. Mid-month and mid-week are the best days to get a good price, since most movers say the weekends and month-ends are the busiest time for them.
Look for cheap boxes to use in packing. Used and recycled boxes are cheaper and you can resell them once you're done unpacking.
Start packing a long time off. Don't do a last minute stunt. Plan months ahead which items you will bring and which ones to give away or donate.
Organize a moving team. You'll need all the help you can get, from packing, to labeling, to unpacking, and sorting your stuff. You won't be able to do it all on your own, so might as well ask for help early on.
Time your departure from your old place. Make sure you will be able to stop and rest when needed at convenient times and places. You want to be able to get to your new house while there is still light outside for ease in unloading. If you do decide to do the move with a U-Haul, make a specific time table. Include all the things that you would be doing in preparation for your move.
If you will be proceeding without professional help, you may even want to ask for advice from people you know. Their moving experience will provide you with tips on what to avoid and areas of preparation you may have overlooked.
Whether you make your big move with professional help, family and friends or by yourself, preparation and organization is key. You may ask for all the help you can get and hire the best movers.
But, without your personal involvement in planning and organizing, you will not be able to keep track of everything that needs to be monitored and prepared.