Top Moving Tips For Large Families
The average American moves about 12 different times in their life, and while planning a move is never easy, it can be especially tricky when you have a big family. With so many variables to consider, it’s understandable that you might be overwhelmed. We hope that these tips, which are geared towards larger families planning a move, will help you be more organized and prepared — and less stressed, to boot.
Use Your Family’s Size To Your Advantage
You might think of your family’s size as an obstacle to overcome during a move. After all, a large family will no doubt have more possessions to pack than the average couple. But you may want to consider changing your perspective. Because you have more people in your home, you’ll also have more capable hands that can provide moving help. The earlier you can start, the better off you’ll be. If your children are not quite old enough to help with packing and cleaning, ask a relative to watch them for the day or organize a playdate that will get them out of the house and give you space to pack in their absence.
Make A Staging Area
With a big family, you’ll likely have a lot of stuff to keep track of. And if you’ve hired a residential moving company to help you on the big day, there are probably certain items you won’t want them to accidentally put in the truck (like daily essentials). Designate one room or area in your current house for these belongings only and instruct your movers to stay clear of that spot when they come to take everything out. This will ensure you don’t misplace any of those necessities and that the whole family is on the same page.
Sell Or Store What You Don’t Need
You’ve probably accumulated an overwhelming number of possessions in the time you’ve lived in your home. If you take absolutely everything with you, you’ll end up paying a pretty penny for it — and more than likely, you don’t even need all of it. Make an effort to sell or donate what you don’t need. That way, you can declutter your home and earn a bit of extra money to put toward your move (or to write off on your taxes). You can also rent a storage unit to store some items you think you might need again in the future but don’t want to take to your new home right away. Your residential moving company may offer storage options in addition to their moving services.
Hire A Residential Moving Company
While some larger families will opt to handle a move themselves to save a bit of money, this can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. This is particularly true if you have younger children to worry about during a move. Hiring a reputable moving company can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on getting your family to your new home, rather than trying to split your focus between the logistics of a move and the needs of your loved ones. During a move, you can benefit from all the help you can get; hiring experienced movers can provide this assistance so you don’t wear yourself out in the process.
Moving is never simple, but it becomes even more complicated with a big family. By following these tips, you’ll have a better game plan in place so that moving day can go smoothly no matter what.