10 Tips for Getting Prepared to Move
It’s #LIJMovingMay! Summer is the one of the busiest times of the year to move, and it all starts picking up in May for us. I’m also about to start prepping for my big move in June, so I wanted to share my top 10 tips for moving. My team and I have done thousands of move-ins for our clients over the years, and we’ve learned a thing or two!
Create a moving binder
Coordinating a move always has a lot of moving parts. To keep this all on track and in order, create a moving binder! Make different sections for research, to-do lists, receipts, and all the things that relate to moving. Don’t be afraid to color coordinate with dividers, pens, and highlighters to stay super organized! Learn how to make the most organized moving binder here!
Look for the right movers
The first major decision to make when moving is whether you think you'd like to do the move yourself or hire a mover. While hiring a mover can be the logical option for many, for some, it's not worth the cost based on the inventory being moved. If you do think you want to hire a mover, it's essential to do your homework and make sure you choose the right company. You can either research it yourself or get recommendations from friends and family who have recently moved. Get at least two estimates and decide from there if hiring movers is the best option for you!
Research schools, doctors, banks, etc. in your new area
If you’re moving to a completely new area, get familiar with it! Be sure to research different service providers in the area to find out who will best serve your needs. Schools might have already been a factor in choosing where you’re moving to, but if not, be sure to research schools in the area so you can enroll your kids ASAP. You may need to request transcripts and information from their current schools first.
Request time off for moving day(s)
This is something you may need to do far in advance. Even if you’re not taking off entire days for the move, be sure to notify your team of your moving timeline so they can be sure to accommodate where possible. Whether that means giving you tasks to complete sooner or moving meetings, it can be incredibly helpful to have your workplace looped in. I recommend doing this up to 3 months in advance for maximum flexibility.
Purge each space before you pack
It can be hard to let go, even if you haven’t worn or used something in years, but sorting through your inventory before you pack for the move is a crucial step. To get started, I recommend working one room at a time. Start with your closet, then your kitchen, and don’t be afraid to help the kids go through their belongings. When you take it section by section, it keeps you focused, and when you go by space, you’ll see your entire inventory which makes it so much easier to let go! Discarding, donating, and selling before the move ultimately makes the entire packing process that much easier (and remember: fewer items = less expensive move!) If you need some purging tips, read our post about thoughtful purging here!
Stock up on the essentials
Of course, everyone knows cardboard boxes and packing tape are essential. It’s also important to have Sharpies (consider using different colors to label each room!), box cutters, trash bags, and lots of water. Whether you’re doing it yourself or have hired movers, chances that you’ll need to supply yourself with the essentials are high. It's also a good idea to bring soap, toilet paper, and paper towels to the new house for the kitchen & bathrooms so you have it throughout moving day. Get moving boxes and supplies at U-Haul (they let you sell back whatever boxes you don’t use!), Home Depot, ULine, or Amazon.
Let people know of your change of address
Aside from making sure you let your friends and family know about the move, you should also be sure to notify the appropriate people. Businesses, organizations, associations, neighbors, and whoever else you see fit! You can easily do this online too!
Note existing scratches and dings to your furniture before moving it
If you are having movers haul the big furniture, you want to be sure to make note (take pictures, write it down, mark it with tape, etc.) of where there might already be any wear and tear to your furniture pieces. Moving companies are usually reliable in handling your furniture securely, but noting what might already be there will make it easier to detect any new dings if there are any once in the new house.
Schedule utilities in the old and new homes
My moving rule of thumb is to make sure you don’t cancel your household utilities at the old place until the day after moving day, just in case you find yourself tying up any loose ends after. Additionally, make sure you schedule the new home’s utilities to turn on the day before you move in. Not having things like wifi, water, and electricity would make a move incredibly difficult. Be sure this is done the day before so you don’t even have to worry about it day-of!
Make sure your old home is cleaned well
Finally, once your stuff is cleared out of the old home, be sure to give it a deep clean. Especially if you are renting a space, scrubbing and dusting baseboards, countertops, ceiling fans, and other nooks and crannies is important to ensure you get your security deposit back. You can choose to do it yourself or to hire a cleaning service that you know will perform a thorough deep cleaning.
No matter how you choose to tackle your move, planning it out can never hurt. For in-depth checklists on how to prep in the months prior to your move, subscribe to our newsletter! That freebie is going out this week! Look out for more tips from us all #MovingMay!