Have a Smooth Move

Moving from one house to another can be a complicated and frustrating experience. Whether your friends are helping you out or you’re hiring professional movers, troubles are bound to crop up. Planning ahead can go a long way toward making the process of moving from one location to another much more bearable.

The first thing you should do is consider hiring a professional to help you move.  Though it may seem less expensive to utilize the help of friends and family, there are other costs associated with moving yourself, like the price of boxes, tape, packing materials, rental fees for moving equipment like dollies, and rental of the truck itself. It might be wise to at least get a few general estimates from professionals before you choose. If you do decide on a professional, have a representative come to your home and evaluate what needs to be moved so you can get a more accurate estimate

Next, it is time to get rid of things you don’t need or want.  This includes furniture, dishes, clothing, toys, and any other household items you be having second thoughts about. Then donate, recycle, or throw them away.  Deciding in advance what possessions you want to take to your new home will cut down on what you have to move and could save you money if you have hired professionals.

It’s time to start packing up your stuff.  A good rule of thumb to remember is to pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.  Make sure the boxes are properly marked as to which room they belong to, like the kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom.  Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, not stacked flat on top of each other. Unscrew and remove light bulbs from fixtures before packing your lamps so they don’t break. After you've thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator, put a box of baking soda inside to keep the interior smelling fresh.

Don’t accidentally pack up things that you may need at the new house.  Make a box specifically for stuff that must be unpacked immediately upon arrival so you don’t have to go searching for them.  Some examples of these items may be sheets for the bed, towels for the shower, toiletries, toilet paper, and snacks.  When packing this box, think about your evening and morning schedule so you don’t miss something important, like knowing where the coffee pot is if you absolutely need your caffeine kick in the morning.  Then properly label it and make sure that it gets loaded into the truck last so that it will be unloaded first.

Whether moving out or moving in, it’s still a good idea to be considerate.  Inform your current and new neighbors about your move, particularly your loading and unloading dates.  Most moving company trailers are 53 feet long, not including the cab.  Obviously, these vehicles can take up a lot of space and can be an inconvenience.  Getting a handle on parking situations and traffic flow ahead of time will leave a good impression on both past and present neighbors.

If you have pets, keep them calm and away from all the activity of moving day.  This can be accomplished by crating them, closing them into a familiar room or by arranging for a friend to watch them at their house. When moving plants to your new residence, make sure their pots are firmly secured so as to prevent them from toppling over and spilling soil everywhere.

Determine ahead of time in which rooms at the new home you would like furniture to be placed.  This will help when it comes to unloading them and prevent the need for heavy objects to be moved multiple times, which can increase the chances of damage to the item or injury to a person.  Once your crew knows what items go where, the move-in will run more smoothly.  

Whether there are friends or professionals helping you, prepare refreshments and snacks for the moving crew at both the homes you’re moving from and to. A well-fueled crew is a happier and more efficient crew.  Also, it will help them be more productive if they don’t have to leave the site to eat.  Individual bottles or cans of drinks usually work best, and snack items should be light. 

Unless you’re just bought the first home you’ve ever owned, moving is probably not going to be the most fun activity you have ever done.  Minor things like those listed above can have a major effect on the success of your move. By taking the time to plan and organize your move ahead of time, it will go more smoothly and you will be less likely to have a headache the first night in your new home.