Do you have a big move planned ahead of you and are overwhelmed by your lengthy to-do list? Are you researching moving companies that won’t break your budget or wondering where you should start the tedious process of decluttering your years’ worth of belongings?
You might be excited about moving to your new place, but that excitement can quickly be replaced by frustration when your move is unplanned and rushed. Did you know that a survey about moving trends in the US shows that 43% of Americans reported conflicts with their loved ones out of stress? Another 44% also reported that they cried during the moving process.
So, how do you fulfill your expectation of a seamless, budget-friendly move? Here’s a complete checklist of things to do before moving day arrives.
1. Hire a Moving Company
So, you might be wondering if you need to hire a moving company or if you can pull it off yourself. Yes, it can be expensive to hire movers, but is the money saved really worth the exhaustion with the potential of sustaining injuries during weight lifting, handling furniture, or working with hazardous tools?
According to the survey on moving trends in America, 1 in 4 Americans regretted not investing in moving services, and the ones who did hire moving services mentioned how it was
- Cost-effective
- Convenient
- Time-saving
- Less exhausting
So, for a stress-free moving experience, look into the best local movers beforehand so you can hire the right moving company for your move.
2. Budget Realistically
A look into moving trends shows that 37% of Americans admitted that they had not budgeted correctly for their move, which ultimately cost them more than they had planned. So why does that happen?
While some companies give binding quotes, others might charge you extra for the extra number of boxes, distance and time, or extra weight. Hence, it is crucial to discuss these factors when getting quotes.
Other factors to consider in your budgeting list include
- Utility transfer: The cost of disconnecting from your old home and setting up utilities in your new home varies in every state.
- Minor home repairs: Before you move to your new residency, there might be minor plumbing, electrical, or roofing repairs that might need to be addressed.
- Moving supplies: Moving supplies such as packing boxes, tape, scissors, trash bags, and furniture pads could cost around $100-$300.
- Packing service: If packing service is not included in the package you’ve purchased with your moving service, you might need to hire a local service, which can cost you $25–$60 per labor hour unless you plan to do it yourself, of course!
3. Transfer Your Utilities
Getting your utilities set up in your new home and disconnected from your old home should be done at least three weeks to a month in advance since it is a manual process and may take some time. Your electricity and water should be up and running by the time you move, which will make settling into your new home comfortable.
Enlist all utilities you’ll need to set up in your new home, such as gas, electricity, water, internet connection, television, and garbage. Research local providers in your new neighborhood, and contact them to inform them about your move date.
Meanwhile, in your old place, get your connections cut off a day or two after your move date just in case you need to return for something. Another essential step to take before moving is to note down your meter readings to avoid billing discrepancies in the future.
4. Plan The Layout Of Your New Home
Your current furniture layout and the plan won’t exactly be the same in your new home, so you might need to do a thorough walkthrough while it’s still empty.
This walkthrough will be beneficial in two ways. Firstly, you’ll be able to discover hidden defects in your home that might need repairing. Secondly, you’ll have a blank canvas to plan your living space accordingly.
Planning the layout will also make clearer to you any items you need to buy and the items you need to get rid of before moving.
5. Declutter Smartly
Many people find this step of the process tedious and overwhelming, and rightfully so, because decluttering is a confusing process, often packed with emotions. By decluttering correctly, you can save yourself a lot of packing time and make unpacking easier in your new place.
Start decluttering at least a month in advance and categorize your belongings into items that can be given away, donated, donated to a local thrift store, or trashed.
Some items will be easy to decide on, while others may need more thought. If you’re unsure about an item, give yourself time to think it over before making a decision.
Oftentimes, items that hold sentimental value are the most useless ones and contribute to clutter. But you also need to differentiate if they actually hold sentimental value or maybe you’ve just owned them for too long.
6. Pack Efficiently
Now that you have successfully decluttered, the next step would be to start packing. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start, so why not start with packing a box of essentials you’ll need to survive in the first 24 hours in your new home? Those include toothbrushes, snacks, trousers, towels, cleaning supplies, wash rags, essential documents, and valuables. Once you have packed your essentials, stow them in your car since they won’t need to go in the moving truck.
Consume up items in your pantry and avoid doing groceries to avoid your pantry items taking up extra boxes. Pack smartly by pairing your fragile items with your sweaters and blankets to provide extra padding and prevent them from breaking. Plus, it will save bubble wrap.
Conclusion
Carefully planning and making timely arrangements before a move can significantly reduce the stress of moving. Researching the services you will need to hire during the moving process and getting quotes is cost-effective and reduces the risk of wasting money on useless services and supplies.
Good luck, and happy moving!
