Packing up all your things and moving them across town is a hassle. Not only do you have to move the stuff physically, but you also have to figure out where to put it all. Packing can be a pain. You can spend hours packing, carefully wrapping all of your things, only to unpack and realize you left something behind. And then you have to buy new stuff.
Relocating can also be expensive. Labor, gas, tolls, supplies, and mattresses can add up to thousands of dollars, depending on the type of move.
Moving to a new place can be exciting, but it’s important to make sure you protect yourself from potential pitfalls and issues.
Here are five helpful tips to make your move as seamless as possible.
1: Budget Accordingly
Moving into a new home can be a stressful time. Budgeting ahead for everything you need can be a hassle. However, by planning ahead, you’ll be able to avoid unwanted costs.
It is essential to know how much moving will cost. In general, you should estimate moving expenses several months in advance so that you can start saving for the move.
Calculate your budget by combining anticipated moving expenses with cost estimates that have been carefully researched.
Depending on how far you are moving, you may need to rent a van, hire movers, purchase gas, food, and arrange lodging. It is advisable to include the costs associated with moving out of your current residence, such as repairs or a storage facility rental.
Downsize to Save Money
If the thought of getting rid of any items in your home causes anxiety, think hard. Decluttering could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on moving costs. Plus, it gets rid of a bunch of stuff that you don’t need anyway. So, why not?
Garage sales and social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace are great ways to sell unwanted items. Plus, you can put the money from sales back into your moving budget.
2: Hire Professional Movers When Moving Into A New Home
Consider how much furniture and things you need to move and whether professional movers will be necessary. Keep your budget in mind. Moving companies can even be hired for the transportation of selected items, such as heavy furniture.
This not only saves you time with more hands-on-deck but relieves the added stress of not having the proper equipment or space for transport. As well as no heavy lifting on your part.
Save Time & Stress By Hiring Packers
If your budget allows, you can save yourself even more headaches by hiring movers to pack all your items for you. Professional moving companies in Charleston, like Go Smooth Move, will pack and unpack boxes for you, set to your specifications.
Alternatively, ask your friends to help you pack. You can order pizza or take them out to dinner as a way of saying thank you. You will enjoy yourself more if you have company, instead of spending a lot of time packing and moving by yourself.
3: Obtain the Right Moving Supplies
As you pack, having everything you need will prevent you from annoying setbacks, like running out of tape or discovering you need additional boxes at the last moment.
Among the items you should have on hand are:
- Moving Boxes
- Packing Tape
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- A sharpie or thick black marker
Adding 25% to the amount of each you estimate you will need is better than having just the right amount. (Example: if you think you only need 5 boxes, grab one more just in case) Be sure to note whether you’ll need special moving boxes for glasses, dishes, or artwork. It’s a good idea to put heavy items like books in smaller boxes, and lighter items in larger boxes. Consider this when planning your supply list.
Don’t forget tools, such as straps, dollies, and assorted items, such as furniture covers, cleaning products, and plastic covers for electronics. And don’t forget your toolbox – you’ll need it.
4: Create An Inventory
Inventory systems are simple approaches to adding some order to the chaos. In addition to determining the fragility of the contents, you will know where each box belongs, and what should be packed in each box. As well as tracking valuable items, it can also be used to label boxes.
Here are four simple steps to creating an Inventory:
- Get an app for your smartphone or create a spreadsheet of your home inventory.
- Assign numbers to your boxes.
- Note the rooms from which the boxes are coming, the rooms where they will be going, the contents of each box, and whether any items are fragile or valuable on the inventory sheet.
- Put the name of the room, the contents of the box, and if it is fragile, on the top and sides of the boxes.
5: Find Free Packing Supplies When You Can
Here are some tricks to help you collect free moving materials.
First, get boxes for free or cheap. Big-box stores like Walmart and Target often have boxes available. Other options include grocery stores, liquor stores, and furniture outlets.
If you work in an office, or a business that buys a lot of paper, you might be in luck. Computer paper is often shipped in large boxes with lids-perfect for household items when you’re moving.
Online marketplaces make it easy to find used and free packing supplies. Many of these listings are made by people who have just moved and wish to eliminate their supplies as easily as possible (by having them picked up by someone else). Find everything from free cardboard boxes for moving to free newspapers on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle.
Moving into a new home should be an exciting experience-not stressful. Contact the Charleston moving experts today for a free online quote.