FollowWhen it comes to moving, there’s usually the first and perhaps the most important tip for moving that’s given little consideration: taking the time to visualize and plan your move. Moving involves countless details and many of these details aren’t thought of until the last minute. Therefore, it’s always best to stop long enough to give serious thought to ascertain as many of the facets involved with moving as possible. The following are ten basic tips for moving.
1. Take Inventory of All Items in the Home
A large portion of the moving price will be determined by the number of items being moved. We all tend to have a lot of unused furniture, clothing and other items in our homes. Going through this “stuff” with the intention of discarding whatever we won’t need in our new home can relieve us of the expense that could result from moving it unnecessarily. Therefore, before the packing starts, take inventory of everything in the home to decide what you’ll dispose of either by donation, yard sales, giving away to family or friends, or dumping in the trash.
2. Contact the Chosen Moving Company
One of the other important tips for moving would have to be reserving the moving company. Of course, this means two things:
- The moving date would have to be decided; and
- You’ll have to have done your homework by researching several companies to select the one you believe best suits your needs.
Remember to discuss all details with the moving company and ask as many questions as you like to make sure you understand all the facts concerning the move. Also, get copies of all agreements and documents signed along with any other relevant information.
3. Pick Up Boxes and Moving Supplies
Now it’s time to begin packing so picking up as many boxes as possible is the next step. Various sizes will no doubt be needed, so get as many of the small, medium and large boxes you think will be necessary. Keep in mind that although boxes may have to be purchased, try talking to your moving company to see if they have any free boxes on hand. Also check with furniture stores, supermarkets, and other large outlets to see if they may have some boxes they were planning to dispose of eventually.
4. Begin Packing Non-Essentials
Now that the moving date has been set, you have an exact time frame in which you must complete all moving logistics. Packing is the activity that will take the most time so we begin by packing all non-essentials, which are items that can remain in boxes for a day or two until you’re able to get to the unpacking. This will include most of the items in the home such as bed linens, towels and washcloths, pots, pans and most dishes, books, clothing, and footwear.
5. Pack Items Requiring Care and Protection
Another one of the tips for moving to remember is there are many items that will require extra care when packing so make sure you have enough bubble wrap, popcorn or wrapping paper to properly enclose all delicate items. Many moving companies offer all types of moving supplies but items of clothing and linen can also be used to encase them protectively.
Also, items that have openings, such as seasonings, shampoo, and moisturizers, should be covered with regular tape or some type of wrapping such as aluminum foil. This will prevent them from seeping or spilling out causing a major mess during the move should the tops become loose or open.
6. Pack Essential Items
These are the items that we must have immediately upon moving into the new home so you’ll want to keep them readily available. Essential items will be the last to pack up, possibly waiting for the day before or the day of the move.
7. Label and Number All Boxes
This is important because it creates the organization needed when unpacking in the new place. You can give instructions to the movers to place each of the boxes. They can identify them by the names written on the boxes, in the proper rooms. Numbering the boxes will help to keep track of all boxes making it easier to note any that are missing.
8. Take Care of Food and Other Perishable Items
There is another one of the essential tips for moving that you should remember. During the last week prior to the move, it’s a good idea to eat all food and other perishable items like fruit. As such, you’ll need to move very little food. Frozen items can last when packed in a cooler, for instance. However, if you expect the move to take a day or more, it would be risky to chance it. Whatever food you move, keep it alongside all essential items. Consequently, you can unpack it immediately and place it in the refrigerator.
9. Complete the Packing
Are you not using the moving company to do all the packing? Then be sure to have all boxes packed and ready to go when the movers arrive. This will avoid having any extra fees that add to the moving rate for the movers’ wait time. Also, you need to complete anything else that you must do in the old place, such as cleaning. As such, you will be ready to go when the movers arrive.
10. Save Some Emergency Money
Be sure to keep cash or credit cards handy to take care of any emergencies that may arise.
Conclusion
Listed in this article are the basic tips for moving. They cover the main things that you need to do during the moving process. Following them up will surely make your life a lot easier when the moving day arrives.
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