Organizing a move, whether it’s across town or across the country, can be intimidating and stressful. Luckily there are ways you can prepare to ensure your moving day goes smoothly. Check out the list below for some helpful tips to keep you sane on moving day!

1. Label Your Boxes

Create a labeling system you understand and stick to it for every box. Then, make a list of the box numbers and their contents to ensure everything makes it to your new home. Be as specific as possible when describing the contents so you don’t get confused or have to rifle through every box when you need something right after moving.

2. Do a Walk-Through

After the movers have left, do a final check of your old home before you leave for good. Look for things you may have left in the basement, attic, garage, and hidden cubby holes to ensure you didn’t leave anything behind. This is also a good time to check for damage the movers may have caused and to write down meter readings so you can verify your next bill.

Before you lock up for the last time, make sure you do a final walk through of the whole house, double checking that nothing was left in nooks like the attic or hard-to-reach cabinets.

3. Don’t Over-schedule

Moving your entire home is hard enough, so keep it to just that task for the day. Space out your cable, phone, and internet installations for later in the week to avoid being overwhelmed and having too much chaos in the house.

4. Pack Ahead

Pack as much as you possibly can before moving day. Extra linens, out-of-season clothing, rarely-used appliances, and other items you don’t use every day should be packed and labeled before the big day to save time and keep things efficient.

5. Check the Utilities

Once you get to your new home, check the lights, appliances, outlets, toilets, and sinks in each room to make sure they are all working properly. That way, problems can be fixed right away before you settle in and there are no unpleasant surprises.

As soon as you get to your new home, make sure you check all your utilities to make sure they’re working okay. Now’s the time to call the plumber or electrician if you need to.

6. Keep Valuables with You

Make sure to keep important documents (i.e. birth certificates, passports, current bills) and valuable items (i.e. jewelry, antiques, fancy silverware) with you rather than with the movers. This is the safest way to avoid lost, broken, or stolen valuables. Check your homeowner’s insurance to see what it will cover when you move.

7. Create “Right Away” Boxes

Pack boxes for each room (including a personal one for each family member) for things you will need immediately. Paper towels, toilet paper, sheets, electronic chargers, extension cords, every day toiletries, a clean outfit, and pens and paper are just some of the things you might want to include.

 

Find out how much your move costs!