Have you been recently relocated by your company to another city or state? If yes, then your first thought must have been ‘how do I get my stuff from here to there?’ Whether you’re moving across town or country, it is natural to feel overwhelmed with all the details involved in relocating.
However, with proper preparation and organization, moving cross country doesn’t have to be stressful! If you follow these five simple steps, you can help turn your relocation into an express move that will take only two weeks instead of two months!
Pre-Packing Essentials
Whatever the reason for your relocation may be, you should start packing and organizing as soon as possible. Packing in advance gives you the time to plan other aspects of your relocation. When you’ve decided to move to a new state, it’s time to get the ball rolling on the preparations!
Create a Budget
If you’re relocating across state lines alone or with family, having a solid moving budget will save you from any confusion, anxieties, and stress associated with the process. Get an early start on your moving fund and research average moving prices. Make sure you factor in everything the local movers will need, whether that’s equipment or labor.
Even if you end up adjusting it later, having a ballpark estimate to present to the moving company will be a huge assistance. By planning a moving budget ahead of time, you can avoid being out of budget in the middle of your relocation.
Get Packing Supplies
Before you start wrapping everything in sight, it’s also vital to acquire suitable boxes and packing materials if you haven’t already. Packing and transporting fragile items require specialized equipment or containers, whereas less fragile items can be relocated using standard moving boxes purchased from a local store. Make sure you have adequate bubble wrap, boxes, and packing paper for your move. It’s preferable to get more moving boxes and supplies than you need so you don’t run out of supplies before you are fully packed.
Declutter
When you have a large family and have lived in the same house for a long time, you’ve likely accumulated a lot of unused items. In this instance, you should examine the contents of each room to determine what can be discarded, collecting the clutter in one place. Then, you can categorize each item for sale, donation, or disposal. There’s always the option of holding a garage sale to make a little extra money before the move.
Packing Essentials
Packing is demanding for everyone. It’s not always easy to get going or even figure out where to begin. If you plan on packing your belongings, you may be surprised at how overwhelming the chore is once you open that first box. When relocating, how do you pack up an entire home and fit all of the boxes into a single truck? Let’s find out!
Pack an Essentials Bag
If you want to get ahead of the chaos that will be the packing day, put together your basics bag first. Do not overpack; take only what you will need for the relocation and immediate unpacking. Be sure to have the following in your go-to bag at all times:
- Medications for yourself or your loved ones
- A couple of days’ worth of attire
- Essential toiletries
- Technology, including a laptop and power cord
- Always have the moving itinerary in that bag.
Start With the Boxes
Select the first box, and collect a number of other packing boxes and a black marker. Start with the place that has the least clutter or traffic, such as the garage or the media room. Remove items off shelves, pack them into boxes (with padding, if necessary), and name them correctly. Place your out-of-season garments into one and your emergency toiletries into another box. The less-used kitchenware and books should go into one box, while the books and office supplies should go into another.
Label or Color Code Boxes
Use colored masking tape or printed labels in colors to designate each space for easy identification. You can start by assigning a color to a specific room and then color-code all the related boxes or bags. This helps you to identify the contents of each box and place them in their designated place once you move into your new space. You can also use color codes to identify fragile and non-fragile items.
Refer to Local Movers
Moving is overwhelming, and packing for relocation is ten times more challenging, even if you’re a pro at organizing. Hiring expert movers like Safebound Moving & Storage is a crucial step in the relocation process that can save you valuable time, effort, and money and give you much-needed peace of mind during and after the process.
Most people hire local movers to pack their large furniture and fragile things, relying on their experience to protect these items during transit. If you aren’t completely through with your move by the time the moving-truck weekend rolls around, don’t worry; Safebound Moving & Storage can help you get where you need to go.
Moving Day Essentials
With the help of local movers and a little organization, you can make the process as smooth and quick as possible!
Assign a Moving Folder
Put together a folder to save your new address, rental or purchase agreements, moving contracts, and other important documents. (Think about bringing a physical copy instead of relying on electronic devices in case their batteries expire during the journey.) You will be prepared for any questions that may arise before, during, or after the actual relocation by having all relevant documents (including contracts, receipts, and other financial records) in one location.
Set Up Your New Home’s Utilities
Don’t forget to contact your utility companies to set up service at your new house once you have a firm move-in date. You wouldn’t want to get there after a long day of moving and find that the utilities are cut off. Make a note of your requirements in your moving folder. Schedule your present home’s service interruptions on the day you plan to move out.
Make a Final Inspection
Before leaving, do a full sweep of your house; double-check that everything you need is packed and ready to leave. Make sure to check the far backs of shelves especially.
