Moving Tips
Without the right knowledge, preparing for a relocation can feel daunting. How can you tackle your relocation like a pro and yield the best results possible? If you’re curious about the best way to prepare for an upcoming relocation, we’ve got you covered with 11 effective tips for moving. Discover how to effectively get ready for your move like an expert.
Top Moving Tips
Create a Plan
Before you do anything else, creating a plan should be the first step in your relocation process. Your plan should include all of the necessary tasks to tackle in preparation for your move. Creating a timeline for these tasks can help you to prioritize them, ensuring none of the necessary tasks are forgotten. Additionally, making a budget will allow you to financially plan for your relocation, which can ultimately help you save money during your move. By starting with a plan, you can stay organized and focused as you prepare for your move.
Declutter Your Space
Ahead of packing, you should always take time to declutter your space. Decluttering your home before your relocation will allow you to cut down on the amount of items you need to pack, effectively saving time, money, and space. Plus, this will make your new space less cluttered. Separate your belongings into four categories—donate, sell, throw away, and keep. Start in concentrated storage areas such as closets or basements, as these spaces accumulate a variety of items that you may no longer want or need. The more you eliminate from your home, the more time you’ll save on packing.
Pack in Small Increments
Another important aspect to keep in mind as you pack is separating the task into smaller increments, rather than tackling huge amounts of packing at once. This process can be overwhelming, and by segmenting it into smaller chunks, you are more likely to protect your items sufficiently and keep everything organized.
Be Mindful of Specialty Items
While you pack, you should take special care of specialty items. Here are tips for packing some of the most common specialty items in your home:
- Appliances: Appliances should be completely clean and dry before packing to prevent any mildew, mold, or odors. Ideally, the original packaging should be used if it’s available, and doors should be secured shut to prevent damage.
- Televisions: Use the original packaging or acquire a TV box for your television. All accessories such as cords and remotes should be packed separately, and the screen should be properly padded to sufficiently protect it.
- Furniture: Disassemble your furniture items as much as possible prior to packing. Loose parts such as screws and bolts should be stored in labeled bags taped to the piece. Additionally, be sure to thoroughly wrap the furniture.
- Antiques: Before packing any antiques, document the condition of the item. You should also get the value appraised and purchase additional insurance for high-value items. Wrap these items with care, and consider double-boxing them with sufficient padding to avoid damage.
Label Boxes Thoroughly
As you pack, each of your boxes should be thoroughly labeled to stay organized. Use permanent marker to write the contents of the box, ideally on more than one side. Another excellent option is to create an inventory. This would require assigning a number to each box and keeping a list of the contents in each box—which offers a more comprehensive way to keep track of your belongings.
Measure Everything
For large items such as furniture and appliances, take time to record their measurements, as well as the measurements of entryways in your current home and your new home. This will prevent any issues transporting items in and out of your home.
Separate Items by Room
Another important aspect to keep in mind as you pack your home is to keep your belongings separated by room. Although it may feel quicker to throw items into boxes, this unorganized approach will only make it harder to locate items when you unpack. Instead, only pack one room at a time, and make sure you limit each box to contain only items from the same room.
Protect Your Belongings
No matter what you’re packing, ensuring your items are thoroughly protected is a must. Utilize packing paper, bubble wrap, moving blankets, and other supplies to prevent jostling and shifting in transit. You can also fill any empty spaces with soft items like blankets, towels, and clothing. This will minimize the risk of damage to your belongings.
Notify Important Parties
Ahead of your relocation, take time to notify important parties about your move and update your address accordingly. You should alert your bank, insurance provider, employer, subscription services, doctors, and utility companies. Additionally, make sure you set up mail forwarding with the postal service to avoid any issues receiving your mail.
Double-Check Bookings
About a week or so before moving day, double-check all of your bookings to ensure everything is scheduled correctly. You should confirm with your movers, as well as any travel accommodations you may have. This will allow you to rest assured that everything is taken care of ahead of moving day.
Pack an Essentials Bag
Last but not least, pack an essentials bag with items you will need right away upon arriving at your new home or as you travel to your new home. This includes toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, any necessary medications, basic kitchen items, and anything else you feel necessary. This will prevent the need to dig through boxes as soon as you arrive.
Get Ready for Your Move Like a Pro
With these tips, you’re well on your way to handling your move like an expert! Looking for expert assistance with your relocation? Count on Austin Moving & Storage, Long Island’s premier movers. Our team offers comprehensive moving, packing, and storage solutions to streamline your relocation, whether you’re headed near or far. Request a free quote online or call us today to learn more.