Information is a powerful tool. When you know how to do something, it is much easier to actually do it.
Even the rather challenging process of moving house can be made into a problem-free and stress-free experience if you have a handy list of things to know and think about before moving out to guide you through the process.
Make your move the simplest one yet by being completely prepared in terms of what to expect from your move and what you can do to ensure that the house move goes as smoothly as possible before you leave your current place.
Make sure you have a realistic idea of the costs
For people who have never moved house before or who have just had little moving experience, the home moving process can be extremely confusing and time-consuming. Having a long list of things to do before moving out makes it simple for a person to become befuddled about the best way to begin the preparation time.
What you should know about moving is that as soon as your house move with Compass has been finalized, your very first step should be to determine how much your impending move will cost you in terms of money.
Approach a range of reputable moving companies and get some quotes. Aim to get at least three, and be wary of any that do not offer free or no-obligation quotes. The best ones will come to your house and give a quotation in person after seeing the contents that they will be moving – phone and email quotations are unlikely to be accurate and could find you landed with extra costs later on down the line. No one wants that when they are moving house – it is expensive enough!
Have a good declutter
It is actually wise to do this before you get the removal firms in to do a quotation – the less stuff you have to take with you, the cheaper it naturally will be. It is also much easier on the other end to unpack and find homes for all of your stuff if you have less stuff to start with. Alternatively, you can also rely on full moving services, should you need help with packing and unpacking, as well.
Go through each room and each cupboard and each shelf methodically. Look at every item. Apply the Marie Kondo approach to every single item. Is it useful? Does it spark joy? If the answer is no to both of these questions, it is time to get rid.
You have a range of options here. You can dump it – the easiest way to get rid, but not the most ethical way if there is nothing wrong with it. If there is life left in the item, look at donating it to a thrift store or make some extra cash by listing it on places such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or eBay.
Plan the best route to your new home
In order to avoid wasting time on your move-in day sitting in congestion traffic or pulling over multiple times to type an address into your GPS, whether it is across the nation, across state borders, or just to a neighboring town, you will need a convenient travel itinerary that is both safe and efficient.
Try to figure out the quickest and most efficient route to travel to your destination. Investigate potential highway work timetables in advance of your trip. In addition, when developing your strategy, keep traffic, detours, and essential stoppages in mind.
Organize times for utilities and services to be disconnected
In order to determine when you need to turn off your utilities, contact your cable, internet, power, and gas suppliers at least a week before your move. Check your schedule to ensure that you have enough time to collect any necessary items, such as cords, remote controls, or cable modems, that you may need to return to the company.
Ask friends and family to help
If you are relying on friends and relatives to help you with your move, be polite and give them as much notice as possible. This goes for anyone who will be looking after children or pets as well. Let everyone know when and where they will be needed, if they need to bring anything with them and what you would like them to do. Some people will be great at carrying heavy boxes and dismantling furniture while others will be better at making drinks and providing snacks.
Start changing your address and giving your new address out in advance
This is one of those things that everyone forgets about until they are two weeks into their new house and discover that their regular delivery has still not come. Changing your mailing address ahead of time can ensure that your invoices, credit card statements, and items arrive on time and with minimal inconvenience.
Try to avoid buying groceries in the run up to your move
Spending less money on groceries a week or two before you plan to move will relieve you of the shame of throwing away perfectly good food. Make an effort to prepare meals at home in order to utilize all of the food you have left.
You can always bring a buddy or two to your house to see if they need any of the partially completed spices or pasta packages you have lying around.
When it comes to items that you just simply cannot seem to get rid of, dump them and move on.
Take photos of your electrical items
Before you begin to disassemble and pack your electronic equipment, take a few moments to snap a few photographs of the backs of the gadgets, as well as the cord circumstances, if applicable.
Having these images will make it much easier to set up your television or monitor as soon as you move in, which is especially useful if you have children under your feet!
Xerox any important papers and documents
In case of an emergency, keep a separate box or bag with copies of all of your vital documents on you at all times.
Even while scanning or copying every birth certificate, passport, social security card, proof of insurance paper, and tax claim might be a time-consuming operation, you do not want to take the chance of ruining the only copy of your documents while it is in transportation. They are far too valuable.
Prioritize setting up beds
Once you are over the threshold of your new home, the first thing that you should aim to do (after enjoying a much deserved and probably well needed cool drink!) is to set the beds up. The chances are that after a long day of hauling heavy boxes about and traveling, you will not want to be messing about at night trying to find bed linen and setting everything up. Have a box with everything in there that you need to make up your beds.This way, you can collapse straight into there after a shower and deal with the rest of the unpacking the next day.
Enjoy the moving process
While moving house will always be an expensive, time-consuming and stressful process, no matter how organized you are, it can also be an enjoyable experience. After all, you are starting a new chapter in a new home, possibly in a new area. It is a chance to start afresh, to make new friends and enjoy a new location. Make the most of the experience and try to enjoy it all – even those difficult moments!
