what to do before your move

must-have moving checklist for your upcoming move.

Whether you’re just moving across town or planning to move to the other side of the country, getting ready to pack up your entire household can be daunting. Not only do you have to plan for transporting your belongings, but you first have to figure out how to pack up everything! It’s little wonder that moving is one of life's most stressful events. Fortunately, we’re here to help! The following moving checklist can help you figure out what you need to make the moving process easier, keep you organized, and ensure that your move is smooth sailing!

1. preparing for your move

The prospect of moving can be so overwhelming that it can be hard to know where to even begin. Before the move, a good place to start is thinking about tasks that you need to complete in your existing home. This could include minor repairs prior to selling your home or even decluttering so that you don't have as many items to pack up and move to your new home.

Prior to purchasing moving supplies, you may also wish to consider your overall moving budget. Not only do you need to consider the expense of retaining the services of a moving company or renting a moving truck, but you should also think about the cost of packing supplies. One aspect of moving that many people do not think about is items that they may need to purchase for their new home. For instance, if you’re moving to a larger home, there may be items you need that you do not already have in your current, smaller home, such as new bedding or bath items for additional bedrooms and baths. You should also consider whether you may need to place items in storage prior to your move. If so, flat storage bags may make the process easier.

2. DIY or hire professionals for your move?

When it comes to planning your move, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether you should attempt to handle the move on your own or leave it to the professionals. Prior to making that decision, you may wish to consider the following questions. For instance, is it a short move or quite a distance away? Are you moving a lot of belongings? Do you have expensive or sentimental pieces of furniture?

Handling the move on your own may allow you to save some money on the cost of hiring a moving company, but you will be handling most of the work yourself. You will also need to gather and assemble moving supplies on your own. If you are short on time or not feeling up to handling what can be a physically taxing job, you might wish to consider hiring a professional moving company that will handle everything for you.

3. where to start packing when moving

Once you’ve decided how to handle the process of moving, the next step is to actually get started on packing. But, where do you even begin? For many households, it makes sense to begin by decluttering every room in your home. Consider having a garage sale, recycling, or donating items you no longer need. Utilizing a moving starter pack can also help with the packing process.

Start packing items you know you will not need to use again until after you have completed your move. This might include items in the following areas:

  • Basement
  • Attic
  • Storage buildings
  • Garage
  • Shed
  • Closet

Once you have packed items that you use infrequently, the next step is to begin packing home décor items and other items that you don't use daily, such as:

  • DVDs and music
  • Hobby equipment
  • Office supplies
  • Any tools or equipment that you use infrequently

Next, begin packing fragile items and electronics. You should also then start packing items in the bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. Be sure to keep out items that you will need to use right up to moving day.

4. how to pack for moving

When packing up an entire household, following a few tips can help to make the process much easier and reduce the risk of damage occurring in the moving process. Begin by ensuring that you are using the right size crates or boxes for your items. Be sure to place heavy items on the bottom of the box or crate and lighter items closer to the top. Avoid leaving empty space. If you find that you do have empty space, fill it in with towels, clothing, or even special packing paper.

To make the process of unpacking easier when you reach your destination, keep items from different rooms of your home separated. Avoid mixing items in the same boxes. Along those same lines, take the time to label each box with the room where you should unpack that box once you have arrived. It’s also a good idea to include a description of what each box contains. Once you have finished packing each box, be sure the top, bottom, and all of the seams are taped well.

We all know that moving is equally exciting and stressful. Therefore, as you prepare to relocate, you’ll want a systematic approach to getting all your belongings ready to go. So, why not make the first step of the process even easier by following these four easy "before the move" tips?