Whether you’re moving yourself, hiring a moving company to help, or handing your entire project over to professional movers and packers without lifting a finger, moving will require some planning and organization to make it happen. That said, there are some ways to ensure a smooth and efficient move and to avoid a chaotic one.
In this article, our team at Coleman Worldwide Moving will go over some of our favorite tips to plan, organize, and execute an easier, more efficient moving experience. Getting an early start is the first step to enjoying an easy move, so we hope these guidelines will help you get moving with your next relocation project.
Before You Pack, Do These Things First
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The same sort of idea applies to planning a streamlined, efficient move. Whatever you can do to eliminate problems before you pack will pave the way towards an easy and enjoyable relocation from start to finish.Here are some things you can do to make moving a lot easier on everyone involved, during the packing part of the move, on moving day, and while settling into your home.
Clear the Clutter: There’s no need to take things with you that you don’t need or want. Extra stuff will only take more time to pack and create more of a hassle when it’s time to unpack. Streamline your belongings and get rid of as much as you can, however you can. You can donate, sell, or throw away items as you see fit. This will also maximize space in your new home and help you to get organized faster, too.
Make Some Money: Everyone can agree that a fatter wallet on moving day never hurt anyone. Hold a garage sale before moving day to raise some extra money to re-coup your moving costs, or use the extra funds to redecorate or purchase furniture for the new home.
Take Inventory: Make a list of whatever you have that’s left over that you’ll be taking with you to the new house. You’ll need this list to get organized on moving day in order to keep track of everything you own.
Make a Moving Calendar (and Stick to It!): Fill an empty calendar with important dates and deadlines related to your moving project. To start, note the day you’re moving out, and designate certain days for packing up entire rooms or areas of the house. Add in cleaning dates, change of address form deadlines, utility changes and cancellations, and anything else you can think of that needs to get done before moving day arrives. This will help you to maintain a schedule and to stay organized for an easier moving experience.
Get Help (Or Better Yet, Call in the Professionals): Now is the time to search for trusted moving companies in your area. Compare ratings and reviews, check their websites, and ask at least three different movers for an in-home estimate to compare rates and services. Be sure to ask about packing and unpacking services that they offer and any other options you can add-on to make your project easier on you. If money is tight, ask for DIY packing tips and materials and compare rates for a customized plan that includes services that meet your budget.
Pro Packing Tips from the Team at Coleman Worldwide Moving
Once you’ve completed the steps above, you’re ready to start packing. Depending on your home size and the number of people moving with you, calculate the amount of time you think it will take to pack up—and then add in an extra few days for good measure. Packing always takes longer than we think it will, which is why it’s such a good idea to start as early as possible. We recommend at least three to four weeks for a local move and two months or longer for long-distance or international moving projects.
Packing will take time, but if you work little by little and according to plan, it will get done. The trick is to do a little everyday over the course of a few weeks’ time instead of rushing everything into the last minute. Here are some helpful tips to make your project a breeze:
Consider Selling Your Furniture: If you’re moving very far away, it might make sense to sell your large items instead of taking them with you. If you decide to do this, list everything on garage sale apps (or have an actual garage sale) as fast as you can.
Consider Storage Unit Rentals: A storage unit can be extremely useful during a move to get things out of the way and organized during the relocation. For example, things you’re still hoping to sell but haven’t sold yet can be stored instead of hauled into the new house. Seasonal items that don’t fit into your new home, if you’re downsizing, can also go into storage.
Gather Quality Packing Materials: Round up a good assortment of packing materials early on to prevent rushing around and spending extra money on last-minute items. Ask grocery stores for empty boxes, and scour Dollar Tree and other budget stores for duct tape, packing tape, bubble wrap, and other things.
Set a Packing Schedule for 3-4 Hours a Day: If you’ve cleared clutter and trash and have sold furniture and other items, you should be down to the bare minimum of items that you’re sure you want to take with you to the new home. That said, if you can set aside 2-4 hours every day, you shouldn’t take more than a week to finish packing up your home. If you have to take breaks in between days, you’ll take more time.The trick is to get started and don’t stop for the entire 2-4 hours that you’ve set aside for packing. If you must, set a timer and put on some music, and don’t stop or become distracted, no matter what.
Pack Up the Kitchen Last, Unpack the Kitchen First: The kitchen should be the last room in the house that you pack up and the first one that you should unpack. Why? Because it’s filled with things that need refrigeration or that are frozen, or that can spoil if they’re kept in boxes for too long. Of course, this only applies to local moves. For long-distance moves very far away, you’ll need to use up your frozen and perishable food items before moving.
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