Prepping for Your Move

Moving Day

You’ve nailed down the day you close on your home.  Now to start packing.  But where do you start?  Moving can be stressful, so let’s look at some tips for making it easier.

Start with purging.  Decluttering is a good way to start preparing for your move. If you don’t use an item there is no need to move it with you! Create three piles: a giveaway pile, a junk pile and a for sale pile.  If you have the time and energy to sell some items, you just may wind up paying for part of your move with the profits.  It will also feel good to give away items that you no longer need or love.

Should you hire a company, rent a truck or rely on friends?  Check into the options and see what you’ll really be charged, what you really need and what friends are willing to work for pizza or free babysitting! 

Friends can help you pack, carry and load boxes into a rental truck or your own vehicles.  It’s good to keep a box or suitcase filled with items you will need right away.  You don’t want to be left without a fresh set of clothing or your medications if your mover gets lost of delayed.  You also may want to transport smaller fragile, treasured items yourself.  Use a color-coding system when packing.  For instance, all boxes with a green marking go in the kitchen, all boxes with a blue marking go in the bathroom, etc.  It will make for much easier unpacking and a lot less frustrating searching!

Rental trucks have some costs you may not anticipate or that may not be clear when you speak with someone at the company.  You may need to pay for miles, insurance or extra hours in addition to gas.   Having friends help load a rental truck with personal items or easy items to carry and transport can be a good time and money saving option.  The less you have a professional moving company pack and carry, the less you will likely have to pay.

Professional movers are not all the same.  When getting a quote on a move with a professional moving company, be sure to get at least three quotes and compare them carefully.  Not all quotes are created using the same criteria. Be sure to get everything clear and in writing before booking the move.  It’s almost always best to have big and heavy items moved by the pros. They have appropriate packing and wrapping materials, and the packing methods and expertise to (hopefully) ensure your belongings arrive in good condition.  Plus, you’ll be saving yourself and your friends from potential injuries resulting from heavy lifting!

Certain times of the year can be busier than others, resulting in higher move costs and the need to plan a good deal in advance.  You don’t want to be scrambling for a moving company when companies are short staffed due to holidays, weekends or the ever-popular first and last days of the month when everyone else wants to move!