Utilize These Moving Tips & Hacks
You’ll Be Surprised At How Prepared You Feel About Your Upcoming Move
Do you want to know the tips for planning a perfect move? Read these moving how-to ideas.
Most people just go through the motions when relocating.
But, if you go through these 25 steps, you can have a stress-free move that goes smoothly.
The perfect move requires a bit of advanced planning and effort.
When you utilize these move tips, you’ll be surprised at how prepared you feel about your movers' arrival.
Moving Tip #1: Don't Procrastinate
Once you know you are moving, don't wait to start planning. Get out a calendar and set goals for what needs to be done. Knowing what needs to get done is the first step towards having a smooth moving experience.
Moving Tip #2: Plan Your Move
Moving preparation doesn’t start with packing up your things; it starts way before that with planning! So, take a few minutes to plan and organize the details of your move. This simple step will help you best use your time BEFORE the move. Here are some basic guidelines on How to Plan a Move.
Moving Tip #3: Set a Date For Your Move (60 to 90 days in advance)
Mark the set date on your calendar. The move date dictates the timeline in which you need to get everything done. Working backward from the move date towards today will help you set your goal dates. If you are buying a new home, you should consider that your closing date may change as the closing gets closer, so it makes sense to allow some time to overlap when planning your move.
Moving Tip #4: Change Your Address Before You Move
When you move to a new location, be sure your mail knows where you should find yourself. By filling out this online change of address form, your address will be updated, and you will have access to over $750 in exclusive mover coupons! Making your address changes online is convenient for you and good for the environment.
Moving Tip #5: Set Up Home Services At Your New Location
There is more to do before moving into a new house than updating your address and moving your items. Remember to activate your home services before you arrive. These include electricity, cable, internet, water, and phone services. It is important to have your water and electricity activated at a minimum for your final walkthrough so that you can check that all of your systems are working before the closing.
Moving Tip #6: Remove Clutter and Simplify Your Home
Everything you move will take extra time and money. The less you have to move, the more efficient your move will be, and the more you will reduce the cost of your move. Consider donating items, having a tag sale, or selling items online. If you contact charities in your area, ask because many offer pick-up services for items you donate, which is one less thing you'll need to do.
Moving Tips #7: Pack Early
Packing always takes more time than you think it will. So, start packing early! You need to have quality packing materials. The moving boxes and moving materials need to be strong enough to hold your items safely and sturdy enough to be loaded onto a truck and to be stacked upon one another.
Moving Tip # 8: Use Towels To Wrap Breakables
To save money on packing supplies, consider using towels or clothing as padding to wrap your breakables. Your towels need to move to your new location, too, so double their use and cut down on a separate box to move them.
Moving Tip # 9: Get Packing Supplies In Advance
Collegian Movers has been moving Connecticut residences since 1989. As a guideline, we ask our clients, “How long have you lived in your home?” We know the number of boxes you need to move increases with the years you have lived in your home. If you have lived in your home for over ten years, you will need 12-15 boxes per room, versus the 10 to 12 per average move for those who have lived in their homes for less than ten years. Most people underestimate the number of boxes they need when planning a move. For more help on the number of boxes required for your upcoming move, check out our moving box calculator.
Moving Tip #10: Make A Tool Box
Remember when you put that IKEA bookcase together? It took some time and some special tools. Be sure to have those tools and others on hand when preparing for move day. It should be loaded with everything you need to build and break down your furniture, including a screw gun, box cutter, scissors, garbage bags, zip lock bags, and duct tape. It is best to store this in your car or somewhere safe for quick retrieval and somewhere that the movers do not accidentally pack it into the truck.
Moving Tip #11: Take Inventory As You Pack
Taking inventory of the items you will be moving will help you know precisely what you are moving to. An inventory item list is necessary for the moving estimator to get an accurate moving quote. A moving packing list by room is also helpful in confirming that all of your items arrive and fit into your new location. Then, you'll know in advance if you have too much furniture to fit into your new home. You can plan accordingly to donate, give away, or store your extra items.
Moving Tip # 12: Pack Room By Room
Packing one room at a time helps to save you time and keep you organized, which becomes increasingly important when unpacking. Having all your items from one room delivered to a similar room in the new home or business makes finding your needed items efficient. We suggest you start packing as soon as possible and start in the rooms you use the least because, generally, you use the items in these rooms the least, too.
Moving Tip #13: Use Packing Labels
Packing Labels provide a clear place to indicate locations for the boxes and as a result, allow the movers to better plan and simplify their moving process because they know exactly where the boxes belong at the new location. The box labels for moving help both you and your movers. It may also increase the speed of your move and as a result reduce the expense of your move. It also makes it easier for you when unpacking. Labeled boxes make it easy to find things & eliminates the need to open every box.
Moving Tip #14: Color Code Your Boxes
Another helpful way to keep track of your items during a move is to color-code your boxes using different color duct tape. This is an easy, visual way to identify which boxes go where at the new location. Then, create a chart that you can share with the movers, so they know which colors belong to which room at the new site.
Moving Tip #15: Label The Contents
It is important to write the contents on the exterior of the box. This will help you to find what you are looking for at the new location. Writing in general terms is very helpful. We do not suggest you write every item, but listing a few items or categories will be beneficial to jog your memory of the box contents. Do not write "Jewelry or Coin Collection" outside a box. Write words that will not draw attention to the box but something you will remember, like "Important Documents or Open First."
Moving Tip #16: Clean Before Your Move-In
Your home may be new, but that doesn’t mean the previous owners left it clean. Whether you are moving into new construction or a place where someone lived previously, there may still be some dust you want to take care of before you move in.
Moving is exhausting, both mentally and physically. The last thing you will want to do when you arrive at the new location is start cleaning. Plus, it is easier to do deep cleaning before your furniture arrives. Don't wait until the last minute to move and clean. We recommend cleaning and scrubbing before the moving truck arrives and unloads. That way, you will feel off to a fresh start!
Moving Tip #17: Create a Floor Plan and Furniture Layout
Plan and create a furniture map to show where you would like your furniture to be placed upon arrival into the new home. This is a great communication tool to help the movers know in advance where your furniture belongs. A floor plan saves you time and money by allowing the movers to work efficiently and frees up more of your time, to focus on other details, and improve your chances for a perfect move.
Moving Tip #18: Have Drinks Available On Move Day
Moving takes a lot of energy. So, having water, energy drinks, or other beverages available for your family and the movers is a good idea. It is also lovely to have food or lunch on hand to offer to the movers or to provide a lunch break. Our well-fed and hydrated movers are happier throughout the day and work harder for you.
Moving Tip #18: Keep Your Valuables With You
We strongly recommend that you carry items of extraordinary value* with you. Items considered of extraordinary value are any irreplaceable, sentimentally valuable to you, or expensive articles. These articles include jewelry, money, photographs, antiques and stamp collections. Additionally, we recommend that you pack all the important documents yourself and not move them with the rest of your household goods. Investing in a secure lockbox where you can place these items is a good investment. Keep this with you or place it in your car or somewhere out of reach, and safely put away during your move.
Moving Tip #19: Collect Your Important Documents / Jewelry / Medications
Knowing that your important documents, jewelry, and medications are safe during a move will assure they do not get lost. This peace of mind reduces your stress during the move. It is best to pre-pack small items, valuables, sentimental items, and important documents and to clearly label the box, so you can easily identify and find it when you need it. Pack important documents yourself, keep them with you, move them yourself, and do not move them with the rest of your household goods. Another suggestion is to take a digital photograph of these items, just to be on the safe side.
Here is a list of important documents to take when moving:
- Bank Statements
- Passports
- Identification Cards
- Medical Information
- Insurance Cards
- School Records (both new school and old school)
- Address Books
- Items you Consider Valuable
Moving Tip #20: Create an Essential Box
Pack a bag or box of your must-have items for the first day in your new home. A clear box or large clear bag work best. This way you can identify it from the other moving boxes or items. It should contain all the things you use on a regular basis. You may even want to include a garbage bag, toilet paper, towels, and soap. Plus, be sure to include sheets, linens, a change of clothes, and your toothbrush. As a result, it is easy to find everything you need on your first day in your new home.
Moving Tip #21: Find A Sitter
There are a lot of moving parts when the moving men arrive. You want to be able to stay focused and guide them as to what needs to be done. It is best not to have any additional distractions. So, hire a trustworthy sitter to take care of your children or pets on moving day. It is best to not have them at the home, as the movers are lifting heavy items. And, you'll want to keep them safe.
Moving Tip #22: Order New Address Labels
In advance of your move date, order mailing stickers with your new address on them. You will find them to be quite handy when you need to notify friends and businesses of your new address. For a full list of places to notify of your new address, see our post on home service to set up before you move. It will share how to make all of your address changes online. Good for you and the environment!
Moving Tip #23: Where Will The Moving Truck Park?
Remember that your move is generally based on an hourly rate. So, the closer you can park the moving truck to your front door, or the exit location of your home, the faster your move will take. If you live in an apartment building be sure to check with the management company. If you live in a multi-family home with limited parking, you may want to secure two parking spaces in front of your home the night before and then when the movers arrive you will have a reserved space for the truck. Thinking about where they can park in advance will be one less headache to worry about on move day.
Moving Tip #24: Reserving Elevators & Certificates of Insurance (COI)
If you live in an apartment or a condominium, the management company may have certain requirements. Be sure to know what they are in advance. Often times you need to reserve an elevator and can only move at certain times of the day or week. Many buildings also require a certificate of insurance from the moving companies. You must order a COI before your move date, in order to have it ready in time. Be sure to speak with the building management company and your sales consultant if you have questions.
Moving Tip #25: Celebrate
Take a break and let someone else do some work! Celebrate by going out to dinner and relaxing. Congratulations on your first night in your new home!
We hope you enjoyed our moving hacks and tips for a smooth moving experience.