Are you getting ready to move to a new home? You’re not the only one. According to Pew Research data, 22% of all US adults moved or know someone who moved in 2020.
Moving home is exciting. It’s also stressful. There’s so much to do and so little time.
It’s easy to forget an important task or spin out of control with anxiety. Stay calm and come up with a plan. Read our comprehensive checklist to make your move as painless as possible.
Buy Moving Supplies
You bought boxes for packing. Buy more than you think you’ll need. People tend to underestimate how much storage they’ll need for moving.
You’ll need packing tape, blankets, and plastic containers. If you think you need one, buy two. If you need two, buy four.
Underestimating your supplies means you’ll waste time buying more. Cross it off your moving home checklist early so you can focus.
Pack Early
The worst thing you can do is procrastinate. Too many people do. They spend moving day packing frantically as movers work around them.
That’s the worst-case scenario. It happens far too often. Begin the packing process as soon as you find a new home.
Lighten Your Load
If you’re sure you’re going to move, start sorting your items immediately. Determine what you want to keep and what you don’t.
Have a yard sale to get rid of any unwanted items. Place it on an online marketplace and sell it for quick cash. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve gathered through the years.
Organize
Start packing room by room. Pack all unessential items in each room first. These could be out-of-season clothes and rarely used kitchen tools.
Start packing more essential items closer to moving day.
First Week Boxes
Packing and moving are stressful. So is unpacking.
Make that easy by packing a first-week box or boxes. These are the essential items you’ll need while you unpack everything else.
Towels, toiletries, cooking utensils, and glasses are all necessary. Packing a few essentials saves you the headache of digging through boxes to find what you need.
Utility Transfers or Shut Offs
Once you have a moving day set, call your utility companies. The transfer or shut-off process seems simple. It’s often more complicated.
Don’t get caught delaying your move to facilitate an appointment or equipment return.
Cable companies are notorious for this. They set hours-long appointment windows. If you miss them, good luck getting a technician to come out the next day.
A local move is easier. Schedule a utility service transfer to your new home. If you move out of state, make sure you have your utilities turned on the day you move in.
A day without hot water after a hard move is a day too long.
Hire Movers
For some, this means begging friends and family. You bribe them with pizza and beer hoping to save money.
Let’s get one thing straight. Nobody wants to help you move. They’ll do it, but they’d rather not.
Don’t risk damaging a friend’s truck or car. Worse yet, don’t risk a last-minute cancellation. You’re in a lot of trouble if your volunteers don’t show.
Hire professionals. They show up on time. They’re efficient.
Give yourself enough time to shop around and find the best movers you can. The people at americanmoveandstore.com are some of the best.
Request Time Off
The days surrounding the set moving day are crunch time. It’s a big mistake to think you can do it all in one day. There are inevitable setbacks and delays to consider.
A good rule of thumb for a move is at least three days. One day before moving day and one after.
Change Addresses and Cancel Subscriptions
Moving to a new location means visiting new facilities. Cancel or transfer your gym membership. Update your monthly subscription addresses.
Update your banking address and change your address with your credit card company.
Fill prescriptions for any medications if moving long-distance. You’ll need a supply while you unpack and search for a new doctor. If local, remember to change your pharmacy.
Two weeks before moving day is the time to start a USPS change of address.
Perform a Deep Clean
Do this no matter what. It’s important to leave your old home in good condition for your buyers. It’s even more important if moving from a rental property.
Landlords look for any excuse to not return your security deposit. That’s a big chunk of money you have coming to you. You need to make sure you get it.
Give yourself enough time to clean every corner. People wait to do this right before they turn in their keys. It’s rushed and incomplete.
Start before you move and clean the fridge, the walls, and the oven. Carpets and bathrooms have to wait until you’re clear. You’ll focus your cleaning effort if you start early.
Take Photos on Final Walk-Through
Take detailed photographs of every room. You want documentation in case your landlord tries to keep your security deposit.
These photographs serve as proof of the condition you left the property. They are evidence should any litigation occur.
The Final Step of Moving Home
The final step of moving home is to relax and unpack. It’s a stressful experience. Make sure you’ve had time to recover before beginning the unpacking process.
Moving is hard enough. Stay organized and the process will be so much easier.
Do you need more moving advice? Check out the rest of our page.
