Moving Checklist: 6 Steps to Follow for a Successful First Move
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest data, the average American will move approximately 12 times in his or her lifetime. But if you’re among the lucky few who have never moved before, you might feel overwhelmed by the all the things you need to do before moving day arrives. But fear not — if you follow these few simple steps, you’ll be off to a great start.
- Create a moving calendar
Prioritizing your tasks is crucial when it comes to moving. You should sit down at least four weeks before moving day to come up with a detailed schedule; write down everything you need to do before, during, and after the move. Creating a schedule is essential to planning a stress-free move, and there’s plenty to plan. When will you start packing? When will you buy storage supplies? What time do you want the movers to arrive? When do you need to be out of your current home? Make sure to answer all of these questions and more before the big day.. - Create a moving budget
Figuring out how much you can afford to spend on packing supplies, residential moving services, and any other fees you’ll need to pay is important when moving. It’s easy to go over budget if you don’t bother to set one in the first place, so go into the process with a firm spending limit in mind. This is especially complicated for intra-state moves. Is it cheaper to ship your car and take a plane or a train? Will you need to stay in any hotels along the way? How much will you need to spend on gas?. - Find reliable movers
Have you found professional residential movers within your budget yet? Did you check reviews and ensure they’re an accredited company? Hopefully, you have already contacted and booked residential moving services by this time, but if you need advice on hiring residential movers for the first time, click here for some beginner’s tips. Once you find aresidential moving company you feel comfortable with, make sure their quote is within your budget. - Pack as early as possible
The sooner you can pack everything up, the better. You also might want to consider packing in this order to make things easier:- Pack items in storage units first, then work your way up, leaving the items you use every day for last.
- Pack large, heavy items before smaller items.
- Remember to pack a bag for your last few days before the move, as well as whatever you will need during the move itself.
- Make sure all of your valuables are kept with you.
- Change your address, cancel any subscriptions, and disconnect utilities
Changing your address is especially important if you’re moving out of state. Make sure you give your new address to your family and friends. Cancel any subscriptions you have at your current address and contact your utility providers to let them know you’re moving. - Make sure your new home is move-in ready
As if moving wasn’t already stressful enough, nothing would be worse than arriving to your new home only to find out it’s not ready to live in. Make sure to call ahead so your electric, water, internet, and cable are all set up when you arrive. Also, make sure you have the correct dimensions of your new home so you can be sure all of your possessions will fit..
Packing and moving can be stressful, but if you keep organized and stick to your plan, you’ll be sure to have a smooth move.