Finding a new living space is stressful enough, but when you add a nerve-racking moving process to that, it becomes unbearable for some people. Sorting, packing, and unpacking could easily turn into a nightmare without previous planning. Fortunately, there are some tips that can relieve some of the tension and make the process go smoother and quicker. Follow these steps to reduce the amount of work and speed up the move.
Getting prepared before the moving
There is a lot of work to be done before you even put the first thing in the box. Preparation is an important step that can make a difference between moving without a hitch and a disaster scenario. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Set your budget. Moving costs can add up fast, so make sure that you calculate in every little thing and avoid any surprises later. When making a list don’t forget adhesive tape, bubble wrap, small boxes, cloth for covering sensitive items, and everything else you think you might need.
- Find movers. Choosing movers early in the process could save you some cash. Look for promotions, discounts, and check out their insurance coverage. Reading reviews could give you an insight into what to expect. Depending on how far you’re moving, from one side of the city to the other, or across the states, you might be able to negotiate some great rates and discuss moving supplies. Sometimes, movers like esquiremoving.com service, are equipped with everything you need from furniture coverings to actually packing your stuff in boxes, which can save you a lot of time and money. In any case, contact some local movers at least a week before moving.
- Disconnect utilities. This is often an overlooked task, and it’s actually one of the easiest ones. Just a few phone calls can take this chore off of your moving list, and it can mean a lot once you arrive at your new place. Schedule moving your cable, internet, and utilities as soon as you know your new address.
- Empty the fridge. Pack up all unperishable items if you’re having a short-distance move, but otherwise, load boxes with food and arrange for a donation for homeless shelters or some other charitable organizations. You can give away fruits and veggies to your friends and family so that they don’t spoil in the meantime.
Packing day
- A small essential bag. Pack up everything that you might need when the truck arrives. Small stuff can be overlooked, like a bottle of water, medications, a toothbrush, a couple of towels, a phone charger, and a change of clothes. Once you move, you’ll have everything you need for the first day without unpacking it all at once.
- Do not unhang clothes. The wardrobe that is on hangers, leave them like that, fold in half, and pack. It’s so much easier than to unhang them, fold, pack, unpack, and hang again. This way you’ll save yourself a bit of the hassle.
- Make use of the suitcases. Pack up every suitcase you own to the max since they can hold a lot of heavy stuff like books, and they have wheels for an easy move. Pack up even smaller suitcases; they are very convenient for sensitive electronics like laptops and tablets.
- Use towels and linens. Towels, linens, and blankets are not heavy but very bulky stuff. Put them in use by wrapping fragile things like glasses, plates, paintings, lamps, and any other easily breakable items. This way you’ll protect things that are otherwise difficult to wrap and pack a ton of linens and towels at the same time.
- Take pictures. This might seem like an unnecessary step, but once the moving starts it’s easy to forget where you packed certain items. Take photos of the back of your TV and a desktop, so that you can reconnect it again. A snap of your packed boxes can help you out once the moving crew unloads everything since you’re probably going to have several boxes belonging to one room. While at it, write clearly which box goes where, or even better, color-code it with some large, visible stickers in different colors. http://www.greenvanlines.com/
- Use space wisely. For example, when packing kitchen items put spices, small bags, and utensils in pots and pans. It will save you at least a couple of more boxes. Opened bottles and jars can spill easily during the transport, so make sure that you wrap them in a saran wrap or put them in Ziplock baggies. A simple step like this can spare you a lot of grief later.
- Kids and pets. If you have adventurous pets and young kids it would be best to take them out of your way for the time being. They will be safer staying with your friends or family for a couple of days so that you can have one stress less and more time to focus.
Unpacking
Unfortunately, once you get to your new address there’s still plenty of work left. Still, you’re almost at the finish line and the unpacking doesn’t have to be so tricky as packing.
- Give yourself time. Since you packed your emergency bag with a bunch of essentials, you’re supposed to be set for a couple of days. Unpack one box at a time, without putting pressure on yourself with deadlines. Do what you can and don’t forget to take breaks. If possible, enlist some friends to help you out, like hooking TV and PC, or go grocery shopping.
- Unpack the kitchen first. The kitchen is the most packed room in almost every home. There is a ton of small items that need to be put in place, glasses, plates, pots, pans, utensils, jars, unperishable foods, paper towels, sponges, linens, and a load of other stuff. So, start with the most complicated one first.
- Remove the boxes. To boost your confidence and actually see your progress, eliminate the boxes as soon as you unpack them. Recycle them or donate to someone who is going to reuse them. This will unclutter your space and give you a feeling of success.
- Plan a party. Setting a date for a housewarming party will give you a sense of having the end in sight. Plan it for a couple of weeks ahead, just to give yourself some kind of a loose deadline for finishing up the process.
