6 (Almost) Stress-Free Moving Tips

Moving can be a very stressful experience; on top of physically moving your possessions, leaving your community and home can be difficult. Thankfully, there are some simple, (almost) stress-free moving tips to make your move a smoother transition on everyone involved.

1. Start Early

Don’t wait for moving day to do all your sorting, packing and labeling. There are things you need to start doing months in advance. Make a moving checklist at least two months prior to moving day. If you’re going to use a professional mover, get 2-3 estimates from moving companies you trust, inventory your goods and begin to declutter your home. And don’t forget to prepare your new home, too- contact painters, plumbers, roofers, etc and arrange to transfer school and doctor records if necessary.

2. Sort

Before you start packing anything, sort through each room and divide into categories based on their size, shape and weight. Sorting through your garage will be a big project, so be sure to attack that early on. You’ll be able to clearly identify two different types of items: very useful… or very useless. Purge the useless items (see above).

And don’t forget to sort your kitchen – start eating the food in your cupboard and using cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.

3. Purge

No need to pack and ship anything you don’t really need. Give away, sell or trash any items you don’t want to take with you. You’ll be surprised, it’s not the big stuff that will do you in with packing, it’s the small things, like all those old CDs you never listen to anymore. Packing is a natural time to purge those items you no longer need. It’s refreshing, isn’t it?

4. Collect Moving Supplies

About four weeks before the big day, start collecting boxes and buy all your moving supplies. You’ll need boxes in different sizes, markers to label those boxes and of course, plenty of bubble-wrap for all your fragile trinkets. Make arrangements for storage if necessary, have any valuables appraised and arrange for special transportation of your pets (and plants) if necessary. Let the packing begin!

5. Remember a Survival Kit

Pack up a tote or small box with things that you’ll need on moving day and possibly the next. Think about things like your toothbrush, medications, snacks, change of clothes, toiletries, flashlight, paper plates, a towel and your phone charger.

6. It’s Moving Day!

Time to drain the water hoses, defrost the refrigerator and load up your belongings on a truck. Set aside your travel kit to take with you in your car so you have it in your possession in your new home. Remember to check your belongings carefully and take note on the inventory of any damaged items.

Welcome Home!