Moving usually takes longer than people think it will. The entire process can take months depending upon how far you are moving, how much stuff you need to move, how big your moving vehicle is, how much help you have, etc. The best way to minimize that time is to get organized and plan ahead, the sooner you start the better. Here are some tips that will make that move easier.
Tour Your Home
Walk through each room and decide which items will need to be moved, what should be thrown away and what could be sold in a garage sale (if you have time for one) or donated to charity. Start purging anything that is not worth moving, selling or donating. If you haven’t used it in a year it is probably not worth moving. Figure out if the items you are moving will need special packing or insurance coverage. Find a space for anything you plan to sell or donate and start sorting.
Do Some Research
Now that you have an idea of what you’ll be moving get some estimates from moving, storage or trucking companies. Check to see if there will be extra charges for special packing or insurance you might need. See if your current homeowners or renters insurance covers moving.
Create a Folder
Keep all of your estimates, records and paperwork related to your move in a folder or envelope so you can find them easily.
Collect Boxes
Start collecting or ordering the boxes, tape and packing materials you’ll need to keep your belongings safe and organized when you transport them. Box up anything that you are not planning on using again before you move (books, decorations, etc.) and label the boxes so that you know what is in there when you get to your new home.
Measure and Draw
Measure everything in your new home including doorways, hallways and openings to make sure large furniture will fit through them. Draw up a floor plan using those measurements and plan out where your furniture will go. This way you can put the heavy items in the rooms you plan to keep them in instead of having to move them later.
Change of Address
Let your banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, pension plans, attorneys, accountant, doctors, dentist and the IRS know that you are moving and what your new address will be. Fill out your change of address forms for the post office online.
