Making the Moving Process Easier: A Checklist

Moving checklist

There’s really no way around it- moving is stressful. However, with advance planning and the right packing strategy, you can make things easy on yourself and keep the chaos of moving to a minimum. Here are our top 10 tips to ensure a smooth move.

1. You know what they say about the early bird…

Start packing as early as possible to minimize stress in the week leading up to your move. Depending on the size of your home and how much assistance you’ll have packing, it’s not unreasonable to begin months in advance. Things that are out of season or that you don’t use very often should get boxed up first. This is also a great time to get rid of things you don’t need.

2. Like Santa Claus, make a list and check it twice.

Keep written records organized in a notebook and include phone numbers, names and appointment times. Make notes of who you spoke to when scheduling workers or trucks and ask for that person if you have to call back so you don’t have to explain your situation every time you call. Keep lists of valuable items that you want to personally watch be packed.

3. Keep a master file for your boxes.

Most people label the boxes they pack, but few of them number the boxes. Each time a box gets taped up, write a number on it and log the box number and contents in a notebook. While the box might say “bedroom clothes,” the master list can tell you, “scarves, handbags and gloves.” Then if you get behind on your unpacking and need to find a specific item, you can use the master list to help you determine exactly which box to look through.

4. Double the amount of supplies you think you’ll need.

Most people underestimate how much stuff they have, and consequently end up scrambling for more tape or boxes within the finals hours of packing. Avoid this stressful scenario by stocking up on packing essentials.

5. Let no linen go wasted.

Use soft items you already own as packing material to protect more delicate things. Wrap breakables in dish cloths, use placemats to stack plates and put picture frames inside the folds of your towels. This also cuts down on the mess when you get to your destination.

6. Wrap breakables in non-printed paper.

Once you’ve run out of soft things to use as packing material, use blank newspaper or plain packing paper. Avoid wrapping soft or valuable things in printed newsprint; the dye will rub off and stain them. Wrap each item loosely in one or two sheets of paper. Don’t forget to recycle all that paper when you unpack!

7. Plan ahead if you have plants.

Trying to move houseplants is often more trouble than it’s worth, so consider giving them to friends. For plants that you want to take and think will thrive at the new digs (Is there enough window light for indoor plants? Is the temperature right for outdoor plants?), consider bringing only a seedling instead of the whole plant, and regrow it once you get settled.

8. Use rugs wisely.

To help move heavy boxes and furniture, place them on a rug and pull the rug across the floor. In addition to saving your back, this will prevent damage to hardwood floors.

9. Get a traction mat.

This less-often-used moving accessory will help you get from point A to point B with ease and safety. Traction mats are a must if you’re moving furniture on rainy days, across slick floors or over gravel.

10. Plan a “no pack sack.”

No matter how organized your moving process, some items inevitably end up missing for a few days or weeks. Put items you can’t afford to lose track of in an easily-identifiable bag and keep it on your person or locked safely in your car during the move. Put medications, phone and laptop chargers, toiletries, IDs and birth certificates, travel tickets, high-value jewelry, a change of clothes, an emergency kit, etc. in this bag.

Final Tip

There are plenty of ways to simplify your packing and moving process, but the bottom line is that it’s going to take a lot of time, forethought and elbow grease. To save yourself the trouble, you can always call Max Movers Inc. to do some or all of the packing and unpacking. Find out more.

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