Planning a Move? Consider These Tips for a Smoother Experience

Planning a Move? Consider These Tips for a Smoother Experience

Whether you just bought a new home or are moving into a new rental, it can be overwhelming to plan your move. Luckily, there are plenty of tips and strategies you can use to make the process go more smoothly. 

Preparing for your move can help avoid some of the headaches of last-minute plans, and it may even allow you to finish in half the time that it would take had you not prepared for the move. To learn some helpful tips and tricks for moving, continue reading the sections below.

Preparing for a Move Two Months Out

For most people, the preparation to move to a new home begins about two months before the move. This step in the process consists of going through all of the rooms in the house to decide which possessions you’ll bring, and which possessions you may no longer need.

If you see items that will require special arrangements to move, such as special wrapping or insurance policies for the move, make a note of that as well.

If you plan to use a moving company, this is the time to start doing your research and compare moving companies in your area. Most moving companies give quotes over the phone.

If you are moving to a different state, the estimate should have the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number on it. If you are moving within state, your state may still require a USDOT number. 

It may be helpful to create a moving binder. This is where you will keep all of the things related to the move.

You can put your moving estimates, any receipts related to the move and more in the binder. You can also create a moving checklist of items that you would like to bring so that you can make sure that nothing gets left behind.

Preparing for a Move Six Weeks Out

Once you are six weeks away from your moving date, it’s time to begin ordering supplies. These supplies normally include:

  • Boxes
  • Tape
  • Bubble wrap
  • Permanent markers

You can also begin to purge the things that you no longer need. Things like frozen foods, perishable foods and cleaning supplies should be used up unless you want to take them with you to your new location. 

Begin measuring your big pieces of furniture. Compare those measurements with those of the new home. This can help ensure that your furniture will fit in the new home and, most importantly, that it will fit through the door.

Preparing for a Move a Month Out

One month before you move, you’ll need to narrow down your choices for a moving company and pick a company. Once you do this, get written confirmation of the date that you are moving, the cost of the service and all other pertinent details.

It’s also the time to start packing. First, pack the things that you use the least often. While you are packing, make sure that you note things that are of special value that you may need to insure with the moving company.

You may also need to declare in writing any items that you are moving that have a value of over $100 per pound. 

While packing everything up, try to separate the valuable items. This includes important files and jewelry. You should be the one to take these items to your new housing.

You can also put the estimate from the moving company in the box. This can allow you to have it readily available as a reference on moving day.

Make sure that you notify institutions like banks, brokerage firms and more about your move. You should also notify your employer, any magazines and newspapers that you have subscriptions to, your credit card company, utility companies and more.

Don’t forget to forward your medical records to any new health care professionals that you will be using in your new location.

By Admin