Part three in our moving series includes tips for a seamless transition. Making a move at any age or stage of life can be difficult and stressful. After 5, 10, 20, or even 30-plus years in your current home, the process of rightsizing and relocating to a new home is overwhelming.
Life is a series of frequent changes and navigating those changes whether you chose to make the change, have a job change or simply decide to “rightsize” based on the needs of your family can be stressful due to all the moving pieces and parts of a move.
Tackling a move soon? Whether it’s on your own or with assistance, we have a few tips for you to help keep your sanity and help make for a seamless transition. Be sure to allow enough time for each task.
Taking care of these tasks before the movers arrive will help make the moving process smoother and more organized.
Start the process early
It is never too early to start the decluttering, donating and planning process. Remember, less is more when it comes to moving. Before the movers arrive, go through your belongings and declutter. Get rid of items you no longer need or use. This not only reduces the amount of stuff you have to move but also ensures that you're not bringing unnecessary items to your new place. Organize your belongings and clearly label the room and contents of the boxes when packing to make unpacking easier. This will save you time and effort when setting up your new home.
Space Plan
Every home is different, and all spaces are not the same. Will your current furniture fit in the new space, is it the same style? Having a floor plan of the new space to work in your furniture will save you time, energy and money.
Secure Important Documents
Vital Records, like medical records, powers of attorney, birth certificates, Social Security Cards need to be kept with you and not the movers.
Create an Inventory
Make a detailed inventory of your belongings. A good way to do this is to take photos and/or video your belongings and keep an inventory for the big-ticket items including the original receipt. This can help you keep track of everything during the move and serve as a reference when unpacking. Consider using and including AirTags in boxes with items you don’t want to lose sight of.
Pack Essentials Separately
Create no-pack zones for items that need to stay with you and that you need to access. Pack a separate box or bag with essential items you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. This may include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medications, chargers, and any other items you can't afford to be without. Do this for every member of your family, including your furry friends. Keep the items with you during the move, so you can access essentials easily.
Insurance
Make sure your belongings are covered at every step of the move from packing and moving to residing in storage and finally unpacking. The industry standard covers just $.60 per pound for replacing damaged items. Contact your homeowners policy, purchase insurance from the movers or buy insurance online to make sure you are covered.
Transfer and Set up Utilities with Key Service Providers
Be sure to transfer utilities out of your name at your current home. And plan to spend time setting up the service providers you will need at your new place, i.e. Internet, Electric, Gas, Mail Forwarding, Insurance, etc.
Divide and Conquer
Put your family to work. Young children can collect leftover packing paper and trash. Teens can help with breaking down boxes and staging the boxes so they are ready to be recycled. Adults can split the heavy lifting, unpacking and organizing. Remember children will reflect your emotions so keep the stress and strain down or they will dish it right back.
Pack a Survival Bag
Pack for at least three days or longer if going cross country. We tell clients to pack everything they would need for a long weekend, including all prescription medicines, pet supplies and important documents.
Ask for Help
Enlist friends and family for help. Taking the kids for the day or keeping the pets can be a huge load off. If you desire a turnkey service, hire move managers to handle all the details from start to finish or to support you where you need it most.
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