Any time you are planning a move, there will be a series of steps you need to take to ensure your move proceeds smoothly. For both peace of mind and planning’s sake, it is a good idea to chart out the steps in advance to be sure you don’t forget anything. It is our hope that this step-by-step sample moving guide will be helpful to you as you embark on your moving adventure!
Step 1. Select your destination city with care.
If you are moving as a single individual, you only have yourself to plan for. But if you are moving with a partner, children or pets, you will need to make sure their needs can be met as well. Here are some basics to consider:
- Job opportunities
- Good schools
- Safe neighborhoods
- Pet-friendly locals
Step 2. Plan your moving budget.
Moving costs can vary widely depending on who is moving and what is being moved. But unless you have recruited a few strong friends with trucks to do all the heavy lifting, you will have expenses associated with your move. The most common moving expenses include these:
- Moving your belongings via a moving or relocation company
- Getting any necessary visas, permits or passes for you, your family and/or your pets
- Storage fees if there will be any lag time between move-out and move-in dates
- Insurance to cover any vintage or high cost valuables
- Travel and transportation fees for you and anyone traveling with you.
Step 3. Map out your moving calendar.
You can save yourself time and sanity by mapping out your city to city moving to-do list in advance. Here, you will want to add these and similar events to your timeline:
- Utilities shut-off/turn-on
- Rental deposits due
- Security deposit refunds due
- Forwarding mail/changing your address
- Scheduling the movers
- Organizing and packing
- Setting up services (banking, doctors, pharmacy, daycare, et al).
Step 4. Get your pre-move assessment via video.
You can speed up the process of scheduling your move by using video to conduct your pre-move assessment. In this assessment, a moving consultant can view the items to be moved virtually by video.
This will ensure you receive an accurate quote for both the cost of the move and the time it will take to pack and move your belongings and unpack you at the other end.
Step 5. Decide whether to pack yourself or hire movers to do this.
For most people who are moving, two factors determine whether they pack themselves or contact with the movers to pack them: time and personal preference.
If you are arranging for city to city moving with a very tight time deadline, you may simply not have time to pack up all of your belongings and do it properly so everything is safe and secure during the move.
However, if you do have the time and you want to go through what you own before deciding what to move, you may prefer to pack yourself. What is most important is to make your decision with sufficient lead time so you can pursue your preferred option.
Step 6. Declutter and downsize as needed.
If you think your possessions look overwhelming when they are all packed up in their boxes in your old place, just wait until the movers start unpacking the truck at your new place and box after box after box arrives.
Many people like to use a move as an opportunity to declutter, downsize and sell or donate items they know they don’t need or want anymore. If you have the time, this can be one of the biggest perks of any move.
Step 7. Be sure everyone’s needs are being met throughout.
As was mentioned in Step 2 here, city to city moving sure is simpler when you are the only one who is moving!
But when you have a partner, kids and/or pets, you will need to ensure your move factors in their needs at each step along the way, whether this means moving on a weekend or making sure there are ample areas for pit stops along the route.
Step 8. Get set up at your new location in advance.
While it may all feel quite strange now, in just a short time your destination will be “home.” When you get there, you will need access to all the same services you have in your current location.
It can be a good idea to locate as many of these as you can in advance, since you can’t predict what may transpire in the future!