Moving day can be one of the most stressful days of your life—especially if it’s your first time. From finding and hiring movers to decide where to unpack, many moving-related tasks can drive you crazy before you even reach your new place. To make moving day as stress-free as possible, keep these tips in mind during the transition.
- Hire an Experienced Mover
One of the best ways to ensure your moving day goes smoothly is to hire an experienced mover. They will help you to achieve a successful move by assessing what items need special care, removing unwanted items, and properly packing all fragile items. The better they understand your needs, the more likely they can provide you with professional services that meet or exceed your expectations. If you have questions about your upcoming move, don’t hesitate to ask them before hiring them.
Reliable movers like Arrow Moving and Storage company have experience handling household goods, including antique pieces and pianos. Their trained staff can easily bear heavy objects, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your belongings. In addition, experienced movers have the latest technology and equipment, which allows them to offer various services tailored specifically to suit your individual needs.
- Pack Up the Non-Essentials Early
One of the most important things to do on moving day is to pack up all the items you are not likely to use frequently, such as winter clothes, summer clothes, kitchen gadgets, or holiday decorations. Doing this will make it easier to get your belongings into boxes or bags as soon as possible so you can have more time with friends and family instead of working hard packing in the evening before your big move.
- Prioritize Your Essentials
When moving, it’s crucial to prioritize a must-have list. If you’re unsure what belongs on the list, ask yourself if it’s something you need to live comfortably or carry out your daily routine. Such may include toiletries, bedding, linens, kitchenware, and dishes. Remember to pack up essential food items, so you don’t end up starving en route or when unpacking!
Keep tabs on the weather for clothing and ensure all garments are seasonally appropriate. That way, you can readily embrace the changing seasons, knowing you’ll be ready for any eventuality. Nothing is worse than lugging heavy suitcases around on moving day when some essentials could be missing
- Don’t Overload Your Car
Moving day can be stressful without the added weight of all your belongings. Despite the need to load your car with every box that fits in, you should not do it at the expense of safety. Your vehicle should only carry essential items that will fit in the trunk or backseat with little room left over. Anything larger than what will fit in these spaces, you should give it to movers instead.
Keep the load in your car light for ease of travel, safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Pack up any necessary tools: You never know when you might have an emergency or another type of problem on moving day. Be prepared for anything by packing up devices essential for such an occurrence (i.e., screwdrivers, hammers, nails). It is better to have them there and not need them than vice versa!
- Label Your Packages Clearly
Labeling your boxes will make it easier to unpack them and find what you need without sorting through piles of boxes. Labels should be clear and specific so they can be easy to read. Keeping an inventory containing all the items in each labeled box is also helpful when locating something from storage or a different room.
- Wrap and Package Your Breakables Carefully
Putting your breakables into boxes without adequate cushioning can be tempting, but this can lead to breakages on moving days. To avoid these frustrations, wrap each piece carefully with bubble wrap or newspaper before placing it in the box. You can also set a few pieces of clothing or towels at the bottom of the box to protect them from crushing. That way, you can save your breakables and keep them safe.
- Plan Ahead for Your Pets
Planning is the best way to ensure your pets are safe during the move. If you know you will be moving, start checking out pet carriers, leashes, collars, etc., at least two months in advance, so you have time to order any necessary items before the move. It’s crucial to ensure all of these items fit your pet now, so they don’t get lost or worn down on moving day. Remember to carry some food for the pets with their water bowls and their toys.
- Take Care of Your Address and Utilities
Before you pack up, make sure to take care of your address and utilities. You’ll want to change your mailing address at the post office and contact your utility providers to ensure you can turn off service when the time comes. Also, plan to shut off the water at your old place. If you don’t have a water shutoff valve in your kitchen or bathroom, contact a plumber ahead of time so they can install one for you.
The key is making it easier on yourself by planning everything before packing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you need to take care of before moving day, but doing some work now will help reduce stress on moving day—and after!
- Know Where Your Important Documents are at all Times
It is essential to ensure you know where your important documents are. It is also crucial to ensure that you have copies of these documents in case anything happens to them. It’s important to keep copies of these documents in a safe place, such as a lock box or a safety deposit box, when you need them quickly. If possible, store the originals off-site and keep copies on-site.
- Take Pictures Before you Begin your Move
Taking pictures before your move may serve several purposes. The first is for insurance purposes, in case you have something break or get lost. Second, it will help you track which boxes are full of what items and where to find them if the labels get torn off or covered in moving. Even better, these photos can help retain memories in a way it will not cause anxiety about forgetting those precious moments that makeup one’s life story. When documenting your day with photographs, use a camera phone and an actual digital camera or film camera.
Takeaway
If you’re planning your move, create a plan in advance. Avoid last-minute scrambling by preparing everything you need for the activity. Ensure you have a list of everything you want to take with you and create a plan for packing it all up, which will help ensure you do not forget or leave anything behind. Communicate with your new neighbors – Let them know when you’re arriving so they can be expecting you and avoid any confusion that might result from a sudden appearance on their doorstep. Be organized and keep a clear record of your inventory.
