To ensure that your move goes smoothly, Wheaton has put together the following list of actionable steps you can take at every phase of your move. These 10 moving tips will help you stay organized from today until that last box is unloaded in your new home.
1. Prepare Early
Preparing early is a great way to limit stress and avoid last-minute scrambles. Start answering crucial questions before you feel overwhelmed:
- How many boxes can go on the moving van?
- How many boxes can you take with you?
- What fragile items need special packing?
- What packing supplies will you need?
- Which moving company will you use?
- Have you read and signed your moving contract?
- Where will you store important documents?
Answer all these questions well before moving day, and you’ll be cool as a cucumber.
2. Set Your Budget
Moving costs add up, and you can often incur unexpected expenses. For example: if you’re moving across the country, you may encounter travel hiccups on your way to your new home.
Take the time to calculate the cost of your move, set a budget and determine how you will use the money. Make sure you set aside extra funds for unforeseen twists and turns.
There are many ways to save money while moving that are worth considering. Talk to your moving agent, they often have suggestions on how to make your move go smoothly when budgets are tight. Wheaton also offers moving discounts to several groups.
3. Set Goals
Set clear goals around what you want to accomplish and prioritize what needs to be addressed first. Writing down your goals will allow you to work to your best ability and feel in control during your move.
Examples of moving goals:
- Organize 3 rooms into keep or donate piles by Friday.
- Have the kids pick which toys and books to get rid of this weekend.
- Empty the entire downstairs two weeks before the move so we have time to paint.
- Visit all doctors’ offices on Thursday to transfer records.
Your goals will be personal to you; make sure you let everyone in the family take ownership so it’s truly a team effort.
4. Make a Schedule
Making a schedule goes hand in hand with setting goals. It’s a simple way to ensure everything gets done on time. Take the time available between now and moving day and space your to-dos out accordingly. If you have a busy life, consider short goals like packing one room every two days. Save the bigger rooms for the weekend.
Be sure to talk with your mover and schedule time to work out any outstanding details. If you don’t hear from them first, your schedule serves as a reminder to reach out.
5. Create a Plan and Update Often
Implementing a plan of action is key to succeeding during a move. Once you have your moving date, incorporate your goals and schedule into the plan. A moving binder is the perfect place to store your plan and all relevant documents. As your plan evolves, update your to-do lists accordingly.
Communication is key to a smooth move, so talk with your mover and have clear expectations around their role. Make sure you agree on when your movers will arrive. If you want help with packing or have specialty items that require extra care, iron out those details ahead of time. Keep in touch throughout the process so your plans align. This is also a great time to find friends or family who are willing to help pitch in and expedite your move.
Wheaton has created a week-by-week moving checklist that you can use as a guideline for your plan.
6. Declutter
Basic moving costs are calculated by the weight of your items and how far they have to travel. The easiest way to lower the cost of your move is to leave behind items that are heavy or no longer serve you.
Decluttering during the packing process is the best way to avoid bringing unnecessary items to your new home. Don’t second-guess your initial decision about each item. Remember, you can keep the memories without the stuff. See more on downsizing from our friend Matt Paxton!
7. Organize While Still in Your Current House
Organizing before you begin packing is a great way to gauge how much stuff you have to move. As you organize, visualize where things will go in your new home. If there isn’t a spot for it, it may be time to say goodbye. Organizing by room will also make the unpacking process easier once you’re moved.
As you pack, organize things in several piles:
- A “first box” pile
- A “sell/donate” pile
- Piles for each room in the new home
- A low-priority “storage” pile with off-season clothes, sporting equipment, decorations, etc., that can remain unpacked until you need them.
8. Label
While tossing things into a box may feel productive, it can lead to additional work and headaches when you get to your new place. It’s easy to lose track of what you’ve packed and where you put items.
Start the labeling process while you’re organizing. Jot down the name of each pile on a sticky note. After you finish sorting and packing items, label boxes and cartons with the name of the pile, i.e., room name. Number the boxes as well and list the main items or category of items included in each. (For example: office 1 – desk contents; library 7 – kids’ books).
Labeling all your cartons will make it easier for your movers to put boxes in the right rooms and for you to determine which and how many boxes, if any, are missing.
Pro tips: Use color-coded labels for each room to expedite move-in and unpacking. Have the person who packed the box write their initials on the label so that you can ask them any questions about the contents.
9. Keep Track of What is Already Packed
Staying on top of your move means tracking what’s been packed. You’ll probably buy new items as you settle into your new home, but you don’t want to buy what you already have.
An easy way to track moving boxes is to take pictures of the labels as you finish packing each box. Save the photos in a “packing” album on your phone for easy access. If your family member wrote their name on the box they packed, ask them if the contents included both staples and a stapler or if you’ll need to add either to your shopping list.
10. Keep Valuables with You
This tip refers to that “first box” pile and what you can fit in your car or carry-on. Items like medication, identification documents, cash and anything else irreplaceable should stay with you during the move. Make sure you keep those valuable items close to you to minimize stress.
Organized Moving Starts with Wheaton
Hopefully, these tips will make your move more efficient and pleasant. For expert help at every step of your move, call Wheaton today! Whether you’re moving down the street or seven states over, your Wheaton agent can help guide you to your destination and keep you organized along the way.
