Moving can be a stressful life event even when you’re just moving around the corner, let alone to another city or country. It’s important that you prepare yourself for your big move with things like estimates and keep track of tasks that need to be completed.
Plan Ahead for the Move
Before you pick up the phone or reach out to any moving companies about your long-distance move, plan your move out to the smallest detail. This should be done months before your moving date. Never wait until the last minute to start the process since you’ll need a few months to move properly without losing your sanity. Movers have certain busy seasons, so you’ll need to be aware of that too.
In-Home Estimates and Choosing the Right Moving Company
Before asking for an estimate, use the Internet to do your research. Check reviews on a variety of sites. While you’re checking for good and bad reviews, you also want to see how the company responds to complaints. That will tell you a lot about how they’ll treat you during the moving process.
Once you’ve picked a few companies, have them come to do an in-home moving estimate. While you can estimate your items, there’s no way you’ll get an accurate account of everything you’ll have to move plus the weight of the items. After getting an estimate from a few companies, settle on the one you’d like to hire and set the date. Have them confirm everything in writing, so you’ll be sure to have a definitive date for your move.
Declutter your Home
It’s important that you declutter before your move. While you have already gotten an estimate for your current belongings, it’s unlikely that you’ll have that many items for your move.
This is the perfect time to really declutter your life. Donate, sell or trash the clothes that you’re unlikely to wear again. Check out the garage, attic and basement for things that can be donated too. If you’re able to rid yourself of clutter, you’ll feel better after the move. It’ll be less that you’ll have to unpack in the new location too.
A moving garage sale is a great way to make some extra cash for your move. There’ll be less to move, which will save you money too.
Check out our tips for decluttering your home here.
Furniture Placement
With a blueprint of your home, plan where all the furniture will fit in the new home. If the new place is smaller, you’ll have moved large pieces of furniture for no reason. Those pieces that you don’t need can be sold, donated or trashed. Don’t place them on the truck if you’re not sure they’ll fit in the new space.
Another consideration for the move is whether large pieces of furniture can fit in the doorways or up the stairs. Some older homes have narrow stairs, which means you’ll have a hard time bringing in the furniture.
Ready the Entire Family
Moving can be hard on everyone but especially on children. They should be included in the process, and allowed to make some of the decisions. This will make them feel more in control. Before the move, let them choose the room they’d like, let them sell toys or clothes for extra money and Google Map the area, so they know what to expect. Read more.
Keep Track of Disassembled Furniture
Never allow the moving company to disassemble your furniture and keep the hardware. Keep all the screws and pieces in a central location. Put them into plastic storage bags and label them properly.
At the new location, you’ll easily be able to pull out all the bags and know exactly which ones you need immediately.
Pack Carefully Using Proper Tactics
It’s helpful to use a system when packing your boxes. Never use clothing to pack your belongings especially kitchen items. You’ll end up with grease stains and no guarantee that it’ll keep plates from breaking. Instead, invest in packing materials and good, strong boxes for the move.
Label all the boxes according to room and what’s inside. You should also number the boxes, so you’ll know exactly how many there are when you get to the new location.
A long-distance move is a stressful event that can cause you to be extremely frustrated for months before and after the move. It’s always less stressful when you can plan in advance and keep yourself as organised as possible.