Moving is a big task and can be extremely stressful, especially if it’s a long distance move. However, a little preparation in advance can help make the process smoother and less chaotic.
Keep the stress to a minimum with these expert apartment moving tips. They’ll save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.
1. Plan Ahead
Whether you’re moving across town or to another continent, the process is always a major undertaking. The tumult of changing addresses, contacting service providers, sorting through belongings, and packing can feel overwhelming, even when you’re prepared. That’s why it pays to get started early on your move. Leaving things to the last minute can result in a stressful, chaotic experience—or worse, a complete failure.
Plan ahead for your move by putting together a checklist of tasks to do during the weeks and months leading up to it. You should have movers scheduled, your housing secured or finalized, new addresses and phone numbers recorded, and the bulk of your packing completed long before the actual moving day arrives. In addition, you should complete a deep cleaning before your lease ends so you can get as much of your security deposit back as possible.
Start by packing items you don’t use daily, such as home decor pieces, extensive collections of books or games, seasonal clothing and accessories, and more. Then, gradually pack more and more frequently used items until you’re left with only the basics (toilet paper, a few changes of clothes, towels, aspirin, and so on) that you’ll want to have in your car on moving day.
As you go through the packing and organizing process, make sure to clearly label each box on two sides using a bulleted list of what’s inside. This will help you find what you need quickly and avoid misplacing important items or forgetting essentials. You should also create a “car” pile that includes items you’ll want to have in your vehicle on move day, such as snacks, drinks, a fresh set of sheets for the first night at your new place, and any special documents or jewelry.
2. Don’t Forget About Pets
Moving is a very stressful time for people and their pets. Pets are very attuned to their family’s emotions and can sense when they are stressed and upset. This can amplify their anxiety during the move and make it harder for them to adjust to their new home.
To help reduce your pet’s stress, you should try to have as much done ahead of time as possible. This includes packing up their favorite toys, blankets, food and water, kitty litter, and treats. You should also acclimate your pets to their crates by feeding them their meals in them and slowly increasing the amount of time they spend inside. This will make the transition on moving day a lot easier and keep them safe during all of the commotion.
You should also have your vet examine your pets before the move and get them up to date on all of their vaccinations. You may want to consider transferring their medical records to a vet near your new location as well.
On the day of the move, it’s a good idea to keep your pets away from all the chaos and let them scope out their new home on their own if possible. This will give them a chance to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and the scent of their new house without being upended from their normal routines. You should also make sure to update your pets’ identification tags with their new address and consider getting temporary travel tags if they are microchipped.
Finally, you should have all of your pets’ necessities ready to go and packed separately from other belongings so they can stay comfortable during the movers’ work. This will include water bowls, a favorite toy, treats, a blanket, food, kitty litter, and their medication (if applicable).
3. Get Organized
Relocating is no easy feat, and can easily become a chaotic mess without proper planning and organization. With the right strategies in place, however, you can move through the relocation process with ease.
The first step to an organized move is clearing out any clutter that has accumulated over time. Go through your belongings and determine what you will keep, give to friends or family, donate, or throw away. Getting rid of any unnecessary items will lighten your load both during the packing process and when you start unpacking in your new home.
Another important tip is to create a to-do list for yourself and break down each task into manageable chunks. By scheduling each task with an appropriate timeframe and focusing on one thing at a time, you will avoid becoming overwhelmed by the moving process and ensure that all essential tasks are completed before your move date.
Finally, you should make sure to organize your boxes by room so that it’s easier to find what you need when unpacking in your new home. The most popular way to do this is to number your boxes and write an itemized list inside each box. This will help you track what’s been packed and where it is, which can be a lifesaver come move day!
It’s also a good idea to have an “essentials” box that contains items you will need until your last day in your current home (such as medications, a change of clothes, food, water, toiletries, cleaning supplies, pet essentials and a map print out) and a few days into your new home. This will help keep you sane and prevent any frantic searches for your coffee maker or iron in the chaos of moving day!
4. Hire a Mover
Moving is a time-consuming, back-breaking chore. If you are trying to move on your own or hire untrained friends, it’s easy to get injured during the process. It’s also hard to keep track of all the boxes and items you are moving from one home to another, which can lead to loss or misplacement of your belongings.
Professional movers are trained to protect your belongings from damage during the move. They know how to properly wrap and pack items, and they will not overload boxes. They also have the right equipment for the job, including dollies and ramps to help move large items. They will also use moving straps to avoid putting too much strain on the item or yourself during the lift and carry process.
Hiring a moving company will save you money and time. You won’t have to worry about renting the wrong size truck, or rushing to find your friends and family to help you before it’s too late. Professional movers are ready to work when you are, so you can schedule the day that works best for everyone’s busy schedule.
You’ll also save on food costs during the move. It’s expensive to eat out and buy groceries during a move, so hiring a moving company is a good way to save some money. Professional movers will provide you with boxes and packing materials, as well as the food needed for moving day. You’ll also be able to spend more money on other things like paint or flooring, if you want. Just make sure you talk to your mover about their pricing and services before hiring them. That way you can be sure that they are an affordable option for your move.
5. Don’t Forget About the Little Things
When moving day finally arrives, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of work involved. That’s why it’s important to follow a checklist and don’t leave any small tasks behind. With a little careful planning, you can help prevent any major mistakes that could cost you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Some items that are commonly forgotten include cleaning products, toilet paper, pet food and aspirin (for the inevitable headaches). It’s also important to clearly label boxes on two sides so movers know what contents they should be putting in each box and stacking together. You should also create a few “open first” boxes for items you’ll need immediately such as trash bags, a blanket and your favorite snack.
Another common mistake is forgetting to cancel services or arrange for the return of any borrowed items. For instance, it’s not uncommon for people to move and then forget to take back their library books or cancel their gym membership.
The last thing you want is to forget important documents such as your birth certificate, insurance policies and any outstanding bills that need to be paid. It’s a good idea to start collecting these important documents weeks or even months in advance so they’re ready to go on moving day.
Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, there are many things to remember when packing for a move. However, with some careful planning and the help of a professional moving company, most common mistakes can be avoided. So, be sure to review these expert moving tips and get started on your big move! Good luck!