Moving can be a very stressful event, next to losing a loved one or a job. Once you’re in your new home, you can relax and have a lifetime of enjoyment. Moving can be stressful, but it’s also possible to have a flawless move, with the proper organization and planning. You can have a smooth transition to your new home.
As soon as you’re aware you’re moving, you want to begin your organization. You want to have enough time left to complete all your tasks. If you can, choose a closing date at least two months ahead. Here are a few more tips to have a healthy and happy move that goes smooth and easy.
Preparing for Your Big Move
When you’re preparing for your move, you’re going to be faced with a household full of stuff. Here’s how to sort it and get organized.
- Collect all your personal records and financial information in one place so you can easily find it after the move. This includes financial and medical records, school records, insurance policies, and more.
- Send out a change of address cards to all friends and family. Visit credit card and utility websites to update your address.
- Give 4-6 weeks of notice to all your subscriptions.
- Provide two weeks of notice to all your utility services, and set up utilities at your new location.
- Have all your mail forwarded from your old to your new address!
- Return any borrowed or rented items and collect same from everyone.
- Payout any outstanding accounts, especially important if you’re moving to a new city.
- Set up a moving day party. Recruit friends and family to come and help pack. Make it a fun day and treat them to pizza and cake at the end.
- Notify your bank to transfer your account to a new city if required.
- Get your car serviced before the move, as it’s essential for carrying any breakables or family heirlooms that you don’t want to entrust to your movers.
- Book checkups with your family doctor and dentist, and notify them of any record transfers and address changes.
How to Declutter & Pack
The sooner you start the process; the easier moving day will be.
- Start collecting empty boxes from work or supermarkets. Collect newspapers for wrapping materials. If you’ve booked a moving company, they may provide boxes for an additional charge. You can also rent plastic bins.
- Begin by taking a large plastic garbage bag into each room and tossing out what you no longer want. Recycle or donate what you can.
- Pack only the essential things, family heirlooms, and what you love. Don’t pack what you haven’t used for two years or more.
- Have a moving sale or garage sale to get rid of stuff. Donate the rest to charity. Request a tax receipt for your donation.
- Use your possessions as packing materials. T-shirts, towels, and socks are perfect for packing breakables. Wrap old sheets around your mattresses to protect them.
- Label your boxes with a description of the contents. Mark breakables as “fragile.” Dainty and delicate items, valuables, and electronics should be transported in your own car on moving day.
- Pack your suitcase and bags with items that you’ll need immediately.
- Pack one box full of essentials for your first day: cleaning supplies, toys, food, light bulbs, first aid kit, and toolkit.
What to Do on Moving Day
Moving day is going to be a blur, but it’s important to know what to expect.
- Boxes and furniture need to be loaded onto the truck first. The lighter, more delicate items go on top.
- Do one last walkthrough of your home before you leave. Don’t leave anything behind. If you don’t want it, toss it in the outdoor trash bin. Do a thorough clean, or hire a cleaning company. Turn off all the lights. Close and lock all doors and windows. Turn over the keys to your realtor.
- Drive to your new home to meet the movers or volunteers. Provide food and drinks.
- Designate an area where possessions are left, or, direct the movers to each room where the box has been appropriately labelled: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.
- Clean each room before unpacking, even if it looks clean. It could still have bacteria.
- Unpack one box at a time. If you don’t have a space for it, toss it, or donate it to charity.
Moving is a ton of work, but soon you’ll be unpacked and settled in. It may take a couple of weeks, but you’ll soon be enjoying your new house or condo!
