Even if the pro mover inside of you is buried super deep down, we will get him out of there. By following the following tips that we have taken down from a mix of our friends who have moved homes, you will be on your way to moving like Johnny Bravo.
1. Pre-planning is all the rage
Those that plan well end up the most successful at the end of the day. Even if you think you can last second throw things in cartons and it’ll be ok in your mindset, that's not a smart way to go about things.
Plan out a schedule taking your life events like school, work, and other important events into account, and choose the days you are setting aside to work on your moving details and pack.
2. Getting rid of the excess in your life will make the process simpler
Getting rid of excess home goods feels just as good as getting rid of a bad ex. Ok maybe not as great, but pretty damn good! Take the time now while packing to really sort through your belongings and give away and get rid of all the excess clutter.
You can donate things to Goodwill or give them away on the street. You can even throw a garage sale if you really have the time to dedicate.
3. Decide early on about large furniture pieces and predesign your new home
You need to know if the current sofa will be coming to your new abode or if it should be sold or given away from your current home.
This info is not only important so that you can get an accurate and binding moving estimate but also so that you can purchase new items on time to make your new home feel homier and faster, Pre designing your new home also lets you know if you need to order things like curtains that without them your sleep will take a hit, or bed frames.
This stage of the planning process helps you at the end of the day to properly budget and save funds for better and more fun things.
4. Pack properly and like a professional to avoid broken items
The worst feeling after spending money on supplies like bubble wrap and boxes is to open your items in your new home and find half of the glass items broken beyond repair.
If you get all the supplies you will need such as tape, blankets towels, and of course lots and lots of bubble wrap you will be better off.
Double and even triple wrap items you aren’t sure about. If you have an extremely important delicate glass item I would even consider taking it separately in your own car so that you can make sure nothing is stacked on top of it or breaks it accidentally.
5. Label each box more than girls in the gym post Lululemon labels on every piece of clothing
We aren’t kidding here. It might feel like overkill to write which room you packed up and the entire contents of the box, but know that it’s not in vain! Eg: Kitchen: pots, pans, sticky pads, mixing bowls, plates, and cups. When you go to unpack and really want a glass of water but have 6 boxes labeled “kitchen” this will be the game changer.
The reason for labeling each side and the top of the box is because all your items boxed are likely o be stacked in one corner of the new room.
You won’t necessarily be lucky and have the one side you labeled as the one sticking out. That is why you should label all sides in the delta.
6. Take inventory and take the guesswork out of the picture
If you truly want to move like a pro, taking inventory is an important part of the process. While this may seem like a time-consuming task, it’s worth it to have a master list of all your items including the state and condition they are found in before your move.
You should be moving with a mover that offers insurance and without proof of the item's previous condition, including photos you will struggle to have anyone believe you that your 70-inch flat screen never had a crack.
Inventory also helps you to better understand and guide your mover on how long the job will take his men when requesting a binding quote. Mistakes in quantity could change the pricing so try to be as accurate as possible for your own sake!
7. Don’t be “that guy” who forgets his key essentials and packs them away
Having an essentials bag is key to a successful moving day. Whether you are just moving a few blocks over to a nicer home, or across the country, you will need certain essentials with you at all times. Some items I like to keep in my essentials bag are:
- Passport
- ID
- Drivers license
- 1 day’s change of clothes and underwear
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Pyjamas
- Sheets and blankets set including pillowcases
- A small snack
- Your laptop and charger
- Camera and charger
- Phone charger
- Wallet
- Anything else you will go crazy without for the day
Pro tip: Your essentials bag should be kept small and actually accessible throughout the day, so don’t stuff all those last-second unnecessary items into it just because you have it!
