Eleven Steps for a Successful Move
An efficient, well-managed move not only saves you time and money, but it can also make the transition to your new home easier and more pleasant for your family. That is why the Council of Residential Specialists offer these proven tips to help you make your move a trouble-free experience from start to finish.
Hire Movers
Find a reliable moving company as soon as you know you’ll be moving. (Your REALTOR may be able to suggest one, or you can check for favorable reviews online.) Be clear about your expectations, and be sure you understand the company’s policies and all possible charges before signing a contract. Also, be sure to compare prices between 2-3 different companies to find the right price.
Take care of the details.
Arrange for utilities to be turned off or transferred to your new home. Contact your bank and credit card companies to inform them of your new address. Complete the change of address kit from the post office and share your new address with friends and family.
Make a packing list and check it twice.
Take a room-by-room inventory of your home and use that inventory to create a list. Organize the list by room and then by item types, ie furniture, linens, packable items, fragile items, and valuables. Once you have a comprehensive list of everything in your current home, color code your list into categories: keep, sell or donate.
Get rid of things you don’t need or want.
Once you have sorted your list, you can begin sorting the items you plan to sell and the items you plan to donate. If some of the donation items are particularly large, arrange to have a local charity pick them up from your home. For the items you plan to sell, hold a small garage sale or post the items on an online marketplace. Just make sure anything that isn’t making the move is gone before moving day.
Donate canned goods and food items so you don’t have to move them.
Organizations like Move for Hunger can help you clear out your pantry while also helping those in need. Move for Hunger works with a network of about 650 moving companies throughout the United States to deliver unwanted canned goods to local food pantries. Or if you are looking for a local food bank, you can visit feedingamerica.org for a searchable list of food pantries across the country.
Pack your remaining belongings in an orderly fashion.
Try to get a head start by boxing items you use less often, such as off-season clothing, extra linens, or infrequently used rooms. Sort items by the room they will go into at the new home and label each box. Pack more fragile items carefully and separately and label these boxes accordingly. Seal liquids and medicines in leak-proof containers before packing with other items.
Transport valuables yourself.
Movers will be responsible for almost everything, but hard-to-replace or very valuable items, such as jewelry, personal documents, and artwork, should be moved by you separately. Pack these items carefully in your car so you can be sure they reach your new home safely. Same goes for pets and plants; you will want to make sure they survive the trip!
Prep your new home.
If possible, go to your new home before the official moving day to clean and make sure utilities are in order. You can also use this time to plan where your furniture will go.
Prep yourself for the move.
Get plenty of sleep the night before. Even though you’ve hired help, you will end up doing a lot of work yourself as well.
Make life as easy as possible for the movers.
Be ready to show the movers which order you would like items loaded. Have as many items as possible ready to go; this should be most of the items in your home. Anything that can be boxed ahead of time, should be done before the movers arrive. After the movers have unloaded your belongings at your new home, quickly but thoroughly assess if here is any damage. If there is damage, be sure it is noted in writing before the movers leave and before you sign anything. Also, have a cash tip ready for each mover.
Plan something special to celebrate a successful move.
You may be too tired the day-of, but congratulate yourself on a big job well done by taking your family for a nice dinner or hosting a party for friends.
