How to Prepare For a Move
Moving is no easy task. It’s costly, time-consuming, and sometimes headache-inducing. However, by taking the proper measures to prepare for your move, you can ease a lot of the stress and feel more confident when the big day arrives. Read on to learn about a few ways you can get the ball rolling.
When Preparing to Move, Prioritize Getting Organized:
Have a notebook or document to keep track of a moving checklist and any important documents related to your move. With all the steps needed to schedule and coordinate every part of the moving process, this collection of information and documents will be your lifesaver. Items such as moving contracts, receipts, and personal documents like your passport and social security card should be tracked down and kept in this collection. Don’t forget to include any financial documents such as your lease agreement/mortgage information.
Get rid of what you don’t need! This is of utmost importance when preparing for a move. Often, material items might be hard for some to get rid of, as many people attribute sentimental value to the things they own. Saving those old home videos of your family is understandable, but it doesn’t make sense to keep that holey blanket your aunt bought you for Christmas years ago.
Update your mailing address in advance and change your address for subscriptions. Yes, it’s a pain, but we recommend updating your address a week or two before your move to prevent any mail mishaps. Additionally, you’ll want to update your address on all your subscriptions – God forbid someone else receives your weekly HelloFresh meals!
Take inventory to help estimate moving costs. This is a great way to be proactive, as you will need to know what kind of insurance is required to cover your items in the event of an accident. This will also be an essential step to take if you are hiring a moving company.
Equally as Important, Have These Questions Answered:
“Will I be packing/moving on my own, or will I hire professionals?” It’s important to understand the scale of your move, and whether or not you will require professional help. Odds are, if you have more than one room with big furniture, if you’re moving to a different state, or if you are not confident in your moving abilities, you might find it helpful to hire a professional moving company.
“If hiring professionals, how will I choose a moving company?” Choosing the right moving company for your needs can be tricky, but there are a few key questions we recommend asking in order to find the right company for you:
“How long have you been in business?” While the number of years does not always directly translate to the level of service received, asking this question can help you gauge the company’s competence and skill level. Be sure to check Google, Yelp and any other reputable websites for customer reviews.
“Are you Updater Certified?” This simple question will guarantee whether the moving company in question is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, (FMCSA) and licensed and insured with a Department of Transportation Number, which is standard for most reputable moving companies.
“How is the cost of the move calculated?” This is important because some companies will charge an hourly rate multiplied by the size of the team, and others might charge by the distance and weight of the load being moved. Whatever the pricing structure, knowing this information in advance will help you determine how to pack up your home.
“Are there any additional fees?” Nobody likes last-minute surprises when it comes to expenses, especially on moving day. Given that many moving companies are different, asking this question could save you hundreds of dollars. Some might charge extra for moving items up a flight of stairs, or for carrying items a long distance between the location of the truck and where the items are being carried to.
For a more extensive guide on how to choose the right moving company, read this article detailing similar things to look for.
“Do I have the right packing supplies to pack tricky items?” To avoid the common error of buying packing supplies you don't need, be sure to take into account the type of items you are packing and the proper supplies needed to accommodate. Try wrapping your fragile belongings like plates and glassware in plastic wrap, packing your books in smaller cardboard boxes to keep the weight light, and using wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to make unpacking easier. And never forget to accurately label your boxes.
Additionally…
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. To help reduce the physical and mental stress that comes with moving, you should feel encouraged to enlist the help of friends and family. If you do plan on needing extra help, be sure to give your friends and family as much time in advance as you can so they are able to properly plan for it.
Notify your landlord of moving plans if renting. No matter how you go about deciding to move, you should give your landlord 30-60 days of notice before you plan on making it official. Although landlords usually reach out about renewing your contract, in some cases they do not. They will appreciate the extra notice!
We hope that providing these tips has been helpful, and that you feel more confident setting your moving plan into motion. By utilizing tools like your moving checklist and referring to this guide, you should feel more prepared to tackle your move head-on. You got this!