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Moving is full of possibilities. There’s an excitement around breaking in a new space, in a new city, even in a new state. But moving comes with a lot of preparation.
How do you prepare for moving when you’re busy with work and life? How do you do it without losing your mind or driving your family crazy?
It’s all about preparation. You’re undertaking a huge step. It’s only fair that it comes with a lot of planning. It’s ok to feel a little overwhelmed. Take a deep breath. Moving can be made simple.
Here’s how.
What to do after you’ve decided to move
You’ve made the decision. You closed on the new house. Now what?
Tell your family
Have you told your kids yet? What about nearby relatives? Moving is a big commitment, especially if you’re moving away from family.
It’s important not to keep them in the dark too long. You’ll need their help for packing anyway so don’t put this off. Once the decision is made, tell your family about your plans. Give them time to process the news.
Budget
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Moving takes time and money. You’ll need to figure out what you’re willing to spend. Can you afford to hire a moving company or are you going to do this yourself?
Consider how much packing material you’ll need and write down the estimated cost. Do you need moving insurance? Factor that in. Take into account a repair budget as well.
Set deadlines for when you want these decisions made.
Pack
Do you love or hate packing? I’ve found it’s a mixed bag — no pun intended.
When packing for a move, you have to take it one room at a time. You’ll also need to give yourself time. Remember, you still have work, school, and life to deal with. Give yourself at least a month to get the whole house packed.
Pack items you know you won’t need for a while. Seasonal clothing. Holiday decorations. Take it slow and do a thorough walk-through a few days before moving. Toss anything you find in a miscellaneous box.
Sell or donate unwanted items
If weather permits, try to have a yard sale or two before moving. Do your best to get rid of as many unwanted items as possible.
Whatever doesn’t sell, donate to local shelters, or schedule a VA pick-up. Talk to friends and neighbors. Offer anything they’re interested in. Just get rid of it.
The last thing you want is to drag unwanted stuff with you to your new home.
Fix and clean
You want to make a good impression on the people coming into your home. After you’ve packed the majority of the house, look to see if there’s anything that can be fixed.
Add a repair cost to your budget. And be sure to clean. Now that furniture is out of the way, you can finally reach those corners. As the saying goes, “Leave things better than when you found them.”
Junk removal
For any large items you’re unable to donate or sell, schedule a junk hauling company to come. Don’t just leave these pieces at the curb for neighbors to stare at for weeks.
Research local non-profits. See if any are in need of large items. Try to rid yourself of unwanted items or large pieces of furniture one to two weeks before moving.
Essential items to prepare for moving day
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
You’ll be surprised how many people don’t prepare the essentials they’ll need when moving. They pack everything — and I mean everything — only to dig through boxes and boxes when they get to their new home.
When preparing for a move, here are the essential items you’ll need to keep separate from everything else:
Overnight bag. What do you normally pack for a weekend trip? Pack all of that in an overnight bag. Clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers, etc. If you would take it on a short trip, it goes in this bag.
Kids’ overnight bag. What do your kids need for a short trip? Like your overnight bag, make sure you pack anything your kids might need. This includes a few of their favorite toys, snacks, activities, and toiletries.
Pets’ overnight bag. Don’t forget about your pet. You'd hate to get to the new house and have to dig through boxes to find your dog bowl. Also pack blankets or a small bed, toys, food, and a leash (if applicable).
Bathroom essentials. You’ve packed your toothbrush and face wash in your overnight bag. These essentials are other handy items you’ll need upon arrival. Hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, towels, and washcloths.
Kitchen essentials. Is coffee the first thing you make in the morning? Then be sure to keep the maker accessible. You'll also need paper towels, plates, cups, and utensils for everyone in the household, dish soap, sponge, dish towels, and Ziploc bags.
Cleaning supplies. Although you hope the previous owners did this, you never know what you might find. We all have different standards for what’s clean so it’s important to have a few cleaning supplies on hand. Duster, glass cleaner, wood polish, sponges, and gloves are just a few things you should keep handy.
Tools. What do you do if a piece of furniture doesn’t fit through the door? Disassemble it. But you don’t have any tools. Keep a small tool kit handy. The main things you’ll probably need are a hammer, screwdriver, ruler, scissors, and an Exacto knife.
First aid kit. You haven’t moved properly if you don’t come out with a few scrapes and bruises. Having a first aid kit is your saving grace in these situations. Make sure you have plenty of bandages. You can also add over the counter medicine like Advil or Aleve. Trust me, you’ll be sore from all that bending and twisting.
Flashlights and candles. There’s always a chance of the power company not coming through. You also can’t account for a storm that might come out of nowhere. Having flashlights and candles on hand will make navigating your new home easier at night if the power goes out.
Preparing for a move can quickly overwhelm you. But with the right preparation, you can make your move a little easier.
Have enough on your plate? Don’t have time to prepare, let alone pack. Better Together can help. We’re a full-service Concierge Move Management service. We help active families and busy professionals seamlessly manage the move process. We aim to reduce the stress of moving so you and your family can focus on settling in. Contact us today.
What are some things you love and hate about moving?