As exciting as it is to move into a new home, not many people look forward to the actual moving day. Whether you are moving across town, or across the country, moving can be stressful. Here are some helpful hints from expert movers to make the big day a little more bearable!
1. Schedule your move well ahead of time.
Moving companies can get booked weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. As soon as you know your moving day, give them a call, and you may even want to call a little ahead of that with a tentative date to pencil in. Make sure they know ahead of time if you have any large or heavy items. The last thing you want is for the movers to show up with a truck that isn’t big enough or without enough people to safely move your belongings.
2. Consider letting the moving company pack your items.
If it’s within your budget to hire packers, it may be money well spent. Packers are usually very efficient and take time to securely wrap fragile items. They will usually pack the day before your move, so your essential items are not out of reach until the day you move.
3. Schedule services.
Don’t forget to have services transferred or started at your new home. These may include power, water, trash services, internet/TV/phone, gas, lawn services, pool services, or security system monitoring.
4. Have your new home professionally cleaned.
If your seller is not arranging for cleaning to be done prior to closing, consider arranging to have it done before you move in, so you arrive to a clean home. This means you’ll be able to start unpacking right away!
5. Pack a moving supply box.
Your moving supply box should contain items you may need while you are unpacking and getting settled in your new home, such as:
Toilet paper, paper towels, sponges, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, shelf liner, scissors, furniture moving pads, tape measure, screwdriver, hammer, picture hanging kit, bottled water, snacks, pet food, paper plates, cups, disposable utensils, dish soap, and hand soap.
6. Make your bed.
As soon as your bed frames and mattresses come off the truck, put them together or have the movers put them together, and make them up. Pack your sheets, blankets, and pillows together in well-marked boxes so you can find them easily. When you’re ready to collapse at the end of moving day, you’ll be thankful the beds are made up and ready to fall into!
7. Ditto for your towels and bath soap.
Pack bath towels and soap with your bed sheets so you can jump in the shower without having to search through boxes for towels.
8. Make plans for your pets.
The last thing you need on moving day is a stressed-out pup or kitty, or worse, one that escapes in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Make plans for your pets to spend the day with family or friends, a pet sitter, or boarding facility until you are ready to introduce them to their new home.
9. Say Yes to Helpers.
Sometimes it’s hard to accept extra help from family or friends if you aren’t sure what they can help with. Here are some tasks you can delegate:
Lay shelf liner in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers
Unpack and put away your kitchen items (you can rearrange later!)
Babysit or keep your children occupied
Make up your beds, place towels in the bathrooms
Wipe down cabinets and counters
Break down packing boxes
Hang clothes in closets
Organize tools and equipment in the garage
Pick up lunch or dinner
10. Hire a Sitter.
If you have little ones, they will be very excited about their new home, new rooms, and yard. They will want to be with you, but they will not be interested in unpacking boxes! Make plans for someone to be available just for them, so you can concentrate. A family member, friend, or hired sitter can help them explore their new surroundings, build a box fort, or organize their toys in their new rooms without you worrying about where they are.