Nobody has the perfect plan or the magic power to make a move easy, but there are ways to help ease the tension and the stress of moving day. As you read below, you’ll find there are some practical solutions to minimize the stress of moving and make it easier to navigate.
Moving Strategies Can Help
Most people consider moving a daunting endeavor, right up there with having a root canal, but they’re missing the point. It doesn’t have to be that difficult or that painful. The marathon of moving can become more manageable through strategizing and thorough planning.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to start planning as soon as your move date has been confirmed. Start collecting all the moving supplies you’ll need. You don’t need to purchase them all at one time if cost is an issue. Spread them out over several weeks or months.
Below are some of the most useful moving supplies:
- Markers: Labeling is key to maintaining sanity while unpacking.
- Bubble Wrap: It can be used to protect delicate items.
- Cardboard Boxes: Essential to any move, so make sure to buy more than you think you’ll need to ensure you have enough for the move.
- Foam Packing Peanuts: Peanuts offer additional protection when packing multiple items in boxes.
- Mattress Bags: Keeps mattresses clean and undamaged during the move.
- Wardrobe Boxes: These have hanging bars across the width of the box, and they are great for moving clothes.
- Electronics Boxes: Provide extra padding for electronic components.
- Picture and Mirror Boxes: With built-in cushioning, they easily secure mirrors and artwork so they won’t be damaged during transit.
- Packing Tape: Use this to tape boxes closed to protect items during transit.
- Ziplock Bags: Essential to hold screws, small parts, or loose items that belong to disassembled items like furniture.
- Tools: A small toolkit can make disassembly and reassembly much easier.
- Bungee Cords and Rope: A lifesaver to secure heavy items during transit.
- Trash Bags: A great item to help create a donation bag and a discard bag for any items you won’t take with you.
- Dolly: You can use this to move furniture, appliances, or heavy boxes.
- Gloves: Protect your hands during the move.
- Scissors and Box Cutters: These are the perfect tools for trimming tape and bubble wrap. They are essential during the unpacking process, too.
- Furniture Blankets: Padded blankets can further protect furniture from damage.
Moving Checklist
Planning is the most critical aspect of moving. It lowers stress and organizes every aspect of the move. The process of planning a move can be stressful in and of itself. However, things can fall through the cracks without it, and responsibilities can become confusing.
- Donate unwanted items
- Strategy session
- Throw away those things you can’t donate and no longer use
- Pack Items
- Change address on all official forms
- Make final preparations
- Move
Things People Forget Most Frequently During a Move
Let’s state the facts: You’ll probably forget to pack something. Everyone does it. There are lists you’ve checked and plans you’ve made, and it doesn’t matter. You still forget things. And that’s okay. You do your best to figure out which things didn’t make the journey.
Hopefully, the list below will make you smile as you recognize several things you’ve forgotten while moving.
- Device Chargers: Nothing is worse than your device dying or the kids’ game shutting down and realizing you’ve forgotten the appropriate charger.
- Prescription Medications: It’s important to ensure you’ve properly packed medications for anyone in the family because refilling medications at the new pharmacy might be difficult.
- Pets: There is nothing worse than forgetting to schedule kenneling services for the family pet, only to realize they have no space. Book it as early as possible.
- Keys: This includes every key imaginable: car keys, safe deposit box keys, house keys to the new and old homes, and storage facility keys.
- Personal Documents: This includes marriage licenses, deeds, and birth certificates, which can be difficult to replace.
- Bathroom Supplies: It’s essential to pack toothbrushes, toilet paper, shampoos, and soaps because there won’t be any available at the new house.
- Bedsheets: No one wants to sleep on a bare mattress, so pack the bedding for the first night.
- First-Aid Kit: While no one wants to think about hurting themselves during the move, it’s important to have a well-stocked first-aid kit to treat any minor injuries.
Choosing a Reliable Moving Company
Many people choose to move themselves, but others have found hiring movers a blessing. When selecting a moving company, it’s crucial to ensure they have the proper experience and are reliable to do the job right. It’s essential to book the company as soon as possible to make sure your moving schedule can be maintained.
Red Flags
Don’t fall for gimmicks. Look for companies with high ratings and good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Also, don’t deal with companies that use high-pressure tactics to force you to sign a contract to guarantee a ‘low price’. Oftentimes, these companies get you to sign at a discounted rate only to add on fees and other unmentioned costs.
Insurance and Licensing
No one likes to think about their belongings getting damaged during a move, but it would be much worse to find that the moving company couldn’t replace them because of improper insurance coverage. Make sure the company you hire has the appropriate licensure and insurance coverage to ensure you have some method of reparation if something happens during the move.
Multiple Estimates
It’s important to compare pricing between several moving companies. This will allow you to note differences and provide you with questions to ask the next company. Also, look for discounts and promotions that could help the bottom line.
Talk to the Movers
Let the movers know if there are any specialty items to move. This could include collectibles, antiques, musical instruments, or electronics, which need special packing consideration. These could impact the overall price of moving.
It might also be beneficial for you to notify them of property lines, best access to your property, and odd layouts to the house, all of which could be helpful to them when planning the move.
What Is the Company’s Cancellation Policy?
Things happen all the time to complicate the best-laid plans. If you need to cancel your movers, knowing what to expect is important. Will there be a full refund or will penalties need to be paid if you wait too long to cancel?
In-Person Moving Company Quote
Meeting a moving company representative in person eliminates miscommunication and provides the moving company with your expectations. It can be incredibly frustrating for the moving company to arrive and completely underestimate the cost of moving your household.
Pre-Move Planning
With the supplies secured and the checklist made, there are a few other strategies you can use to help with the move.
- Take Things Apart: Anything that can be taken apart to make moving them easier should be done before moving day.
- Make a Timeline: Packing the entire house in one day is too much. Start packing nonessential belongings over a period of days or weeks. You could even choose a specific room to pack each day.
- Donate and Discard Items: Take care of donating items and throwing out things you don’t want before moving day. It will help to declutter the house and lessen the amount of moving you will need to do on moving day.
Things to Consider the Day Before the Move
There are a few things that need to be taken care of before moving day.
- Pack Valuables: Make sure to take time to pack your most precious items. These might include heirlooms, jewelry, or documents. Keep them with you at all times to minimize the chances of them being stolen or lost.
- Contact the Movers: Confirm the delivery date and anything that might delay their arrival before moving day. Make sure to confirm everything so the day of the move will go as smoothly as possible.
- Utilities: Make sure the utility company knows when to turn on the power at the new residence and when to shut it off at the old residence.
Handling Moving Day
While moving can be stressful, practicing some form of self-care is important. Whether taking frequent breaks, staying hydrated, or eating snacks, take time to take care of yourself.
If you don’t take breaks, you can get frustrated, which can lead to damaging your belongings or hurting yourself. Make sure to give your body a break.
When things go wrong, don’t dwell on it but find humor in the moment.
Most importantly, try to stay positive. This is an adventure, so try to enjoy it.
Lowcountry homeowners have to come to respect us with repeat business and excellent references.
At Smooth Move, we pride ourselves on handling all of your moving needs. Reach out to us today and find out why we are the leading moving company in the Lowcountry.