Moving can be an exciting prelude to a better location or a more desirable way of living. However, to minimize any potential problems, save money, and make process go as speedily as possible, you want to organize your next move in advance.
Start by creating a large binder that contains regular sheets of paper and envelope pages. Use it to store anything related to the move, such as contact information, To Do lists, contracts and schedules. Make sure to include a calendar so you can plan when to get things done.
Go from room to room and survey what you have. Decide what you want to give away, recycle or throw away. Be ruthless in eliminating stuff: if you haven’t used something in a year, you won’t miss it. Get rid of these items as soon as possible so they don’t interfere with the move. Remember that whatever you decide to take will cost time and money to deal with.
After you have some idea of what you want to take with you, contact Movers Professional Packing Service as far in advance as possible to schedule the move. Agents can offer additional advice on how to prepare, give you packing tips, estimate the cost of the move and draw up contracts. They can even give you boxes for packing. Be sure to read and understand any documents that you receive, particularly if you have to sign them.
Use colored stickers, available at any office supply store, to classify what you plan on moving. For example, put red stickers on items that go into the kitchen, blue stickers on things for the bedroom and green stickers on items for the living room. Also apply stickers to large individual items, such as tables, chairs and appliances. To avoid having to put stickers on small items like vases, silverware, or shoes, use boxes, labeled with room names, to store smaller items. Write down what you’re moving and to which room. Make copies of this list for everyone in the family and the movers.
Contact any service or people who will be affected by the move, such as utility companies, landlords, subscription providers, schools, service people, the Post Office, relatives and friends at both your current location and the place to which you’re moving. They can let you know the best way to shut down services at your current place and turn them on at your new place. The Post Office, for example, can give you change of address cards so you can let everyone know by mail where you’re going.
Pack your belongings. One way to ensure that you get everything is to start with one room, empty it of everything, and then move on to the next room. Put items that you need for packing, such as tape, scissors, stickers, and labels into a basket that you can carry with you. Use zip-top bags to organize items within boxes. Be sure to write down clear instructions for the movers on what should be done with each box or piece of furniture.
If you’re not sure how to pack items, especially fragile heirlooms or glassware, Movers Professional Packing Service can do it for you. They’ll not only treat all your favorite things with care, they’ll label each box properly. This saves you time and ensures that your precious possessions reach your new home in one piece.
SOURCES
Real Simple: Moving Checklist
HGTV: How to Organize Your Move
U.S. Department of Transportation: Ready to Move?