Moving can be an extremely stressful experience. The Cratos Moving team has put together a list of 12 tips for you to help you prepare for your move. If you find yourself dreading the long hours of labor and unloading ahead, then try following these time-saving tips that will help moving go more quickly and easily:
- Make a plan and delegate
If you know there’s going to be a lot of work involved, don’t wait until the last minute to start making a plan on who does what and when it should happen. Pull out your calendar and schedule in some time to begin packing up everything ahead of time. Delegate responsibilities such as bringing snacks for everyone or transporting belongings from your old residence to your new one after they’re packed up. Assign younger children’s tasks such as putting together furniture or folding laundry that comes out of the boxes. - Break your move into sections
If you’re moving out of more than one location or there is a long distance between your old house and new one, then it may be helpful to break down the move into manageable chunks of time and space rather than chipping away at it for an entire day. For example, if you’re packing up two locations and you only have the afternoon to do so, start with packing up boxes in each place of residence before unloading them later on when they arrive at your new home. - Unpack as you go along
You don’t want everything piled up in one room once you get to your new place because that will make getting settled quite difficult! Instead, keep your clothes and other important belongings in their designated bedroom or bathroom while you’re still at the old location. Once you get to the new place, unpack what’s needed for that immediate space. Afterward, move on to unpacking essentials like kitchen utensils and appliances before shifting focus on your living area such as furniture and decor. - Utilize storage space
Don’t make the mistake of moving all of your items from one place to another only to realize once everything is out that there isn’t any room left for it! Instead, look into renting a storage unit or utilizing friends and family who have room in their garage to store some things during the transition period between two places. This also gives you time to go through and organize your belongings, which can be a great way to get rid of old items you don’t need anymore. - Pack the car yourself
It’s a good idea to have someone else drive while you pack! This is going to save a lot of time because there will be no stopping for last minute supplies or emergency bathroom breaks during the road trip. To get things done even faster, pack all essentials such as pillows, blankets, food and water into the car first before moving on to heavier items like clothing or boxes of books. - Leave enough time for travel
If you’re packing up from one place that isn’t convenient to where you’ll be living in your new home, then you’ll need to take time for travel into your planning. Add extra hours onto the beginning and ending of your moving day so you can account for any issues that may come up along the way such as traffic jams or getting lost. Leave resting spots in between destinations when traveling long-distances with a car full of belongings. - Pack smart
If you don’t want to end up with too little space in your car (which also means having to make multiple trips) then make sure to sew pockets inside out on all clothing, utilize sturdy boxes and avoid filling them more than 90% full with fragile items like books or glassware. Roll clothes and place them upright in boxes while strapping down larger items like framed art against the sides of the car to prevent them from shifting while you travel. - Be prepared for weather changes
Weather can be unpredictable, which is why it’s important to have a backup plan in case the forecast calls for rain or snow during your moving day. Consider renting protective covers for outdoor items such as furniture and lawn equipment, bringing along blankets to cover things inside the car instead of using garbage bags that rip easily or purchasing seat belt covers if you don’t want anything getting dirty or damaged due to precipitation on the way home. - Utilize friends and family
Asking for favors may seem daunting but most people will be more than happy to help out when asked! If they live nearby, ask them to help you pack and move your things as well as provide free food during the transition. If they live further away, ask them to store some of your furniture or household items so you don’t have to pay for a second storage unit. - Clear out closets and drawers
Don’t let all that extra space go to waste! Use it by giving old clothes and other seldom used possessions to friends or relatives who can use it or sell these items at a yard sale before the move if they’re still in good condition. Doing this frees up space in your new home while adding money into your wallet from whatever you’re able to sell off. For dresser drawers, sort through what you haven’t worn in two years and give those away or sell them as well. - Start a new tradition
Moving is a great time to shake things up a bit and try something new! Invite friends and family over for dinner at your old place so they can say goodbye, have everyone do the dishes once you’ve finished eating together before going on to your new home, bake cookies with your kids to deliver to all of their favorite people in the neighborhood who were there for them throughout elementary school (and will hopefully still be there if they end up moving into that particular area later on!) or go on an adventure by exploring different neighborhoods or parks together as one last hoorah for living in your original home. - Create a moving day plan
Use the tips above to guide you as you prepare for your upcoming move and write down all of your anticipated tasks, major landmarks along the way and an accurate timeline of how long each step will take – this is important when planning out who will be helping with what and when! It also helps keep everyone on track especially if you’ve got kids pitching in (and not just because they’re eager and excited!) so there won’t be any last-minute surprises that throw off the entire operation.
In order to have a smooth moving process, stay organized from start to finish, follow our 12 moving day guidelines and don’t forget to have fun as well! You’ll plan less but enjoy more during your transition into your new abode. We hope this article will be useful for you. If you do not want to bother with the organization of the move, then a good solution would be to contact a professional moving company that will carry out your move quickly and smoothly. The choice is yours.
