Starting a new life in a new home is exciting but let’s face it, moving is a pain. Even if you hire a comprehensive service, you still face weeks of turmoil and disruption. There's not much you can do to make it a joy but there’s lots you can do to make it easier.
Getting Organized
There are three crucial things you can do to minimize the stress of moving: organize, organize and organize. The more you get done before the actual day of the move, the smoother things will go.
Ideally your preparations should start at least two months prior to the move, even if you have not finalized your new home.
Get The Facts
Every move is unique and no general guide can prepare you for all the possibilities. You need to consider special circumstances like:
• The distance and weather conditions.
• Regulations for crossing state or international boundaries, especially if you are carrying restricted items.
• Delicate items like antiques, plants and pets.
• Dangerous goods like firearms or caustic materials.
You will also want to:
•Set a budget for the services and materials you will need. Research and book the services you will need: movers, rentals, and cleaning help.
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions, utilities and services.
• Gather and transfer medical, dental, school, legal and financial records.
• Empty your lockers, safety deposit boxes, drop off your library books and pick up the dry-cleaning.
• Talk to a florist about moving your plants.
Lighten Your Load
Do you really need that twenty gallon stock pot or the antique anvil collection? Is there room for two pianos in your new home? The more you get rid of the less you have to move. Have you used it in the last year or two? If not, leave it behind. Cash takes up less room than clutter. Here are some tips for getting ride of the mess:
• Have a garage sale but keep it simple. Sell the good stuff for a fair price and you’ll be done by noon. Clothes, books, junk, damaged goods can be donated. Get a tax receipt for your donations if possible.
• Sell big-ticket items early so you aren’t stuck running a desperate “must sell” ad at the last minute.
• Have a “Take Something With You” farewell party (just make sure that the portable items are clearly marked).
• Consume the consumables. Now’s the time to eat the roast that’s been lurking in the bottom of the freezer and get reacquainted with your canned goods.
• Clean out and clean up. Carefully dispose of hazardous goods, flammables, pesticides, paints, aerosols, and old batteries. Clean and wrap any messy items so they don’t cause problems on moving day.
• Empty the fuel, oil and other fluids from lawn mowers and other machines. Disconnect the gas tank from your barbecue.
• Packing is like playing a 3D version of Tetris, except when you win you get to stop playing.
• Buy a tape gun and a few rolls of tape.
• Plastic sheeting and sturdy garbage bags will help protect items from dirt and damage. Get bags in two or three different colors, that way you won’t throw away your towels and haul your last trash bag halfway across the country instead.
• Get colored labels for marking where boxes will be going at the new home and highlight specific instructions like “fragile” and “this side up”.
• For smaller items try finding boxes that are the same size, stack easily and don’t waste space.
• Find boxes that will fit in the spaces under and inside furniture.
• Keep boxes a reasonable weight. Put heavy objects in smaller boxes and lighter things in larger boxes.
• Use sturdy drawers as boxes for clothes and lightweight items.
• Figure out what you need to function comfortably and then pack everything else!
• Wrap tape around dressers and cabinets with doors and drawers. Use cardboard strips to protect the finish from the tape and to guard the item from damage.
• Use clothes, towels, and blankets to wrap and pad delicate items. Socks are just made for glassware.
• Take awkward items apart to save space and prevent damage. Lamp shades, lamps and light-bulbs each have very different packing requirements.
• Bag screws, clamps and other hardware then tape the bags inside or underneath the furniture and appliances they go with.
• Consider getting specialty packing materials for dishes and other fragile items. It’s a little more expensive but then so are broken dishes. Be generous with the padding.
• Have a packing party. Get a little low stress help from your friends and a chance to visit too.
Take Stock Make an inventory of your goods for establishing claims and for insurance purposes should anything go wrong during the move. Photograph or video your valuable items, noting their condition. Get sufficient replacement value insurance based on your inventory. Put visible or hidden identifying markings on or in valuable items.
Important documents, computer data backups, small valuables and irreplaceable items should travel with you, not on the truck. Make copies of as much as possible and leave the copies with a friend or relative when you go.
Keep your important contact numbers and shipping information handy.
Loading
The better you pack and load the safer your things will be. Supervise the loading, whether you are using professionals or volunteers to help you.
Pack things snugly so they don’t rattle about. Use cardboard, paper, plastic and even cushions to pad and fill spaces. Use cords or strapping to secure large items.
Pack useful items last (like the vacuum cleaner, the coffee maker and the stereo).
One Last Look
• Check all closets, drawers and cupboards for missed items.
• Make sure that appliances are unplugged and that the fridge door is propped open.
• Shut off outside water supply taps and make sure no inside taps are left on.
Stay Sane
Make sure that you allow some time to relax and recharge as you prepare. Get lots of sleep the night before and drink plenty of water on the day. Dehydration causes drowsiness and impairs your thinking. Energy and wits are going to be essential on the day.
On The Road
Make a survival kit for the trip and to sustain you for the first day in your new home. Pack for convenience: food, toiletries (prescriptions and pain relievers), spare clothes, basic tools (scissors, tape, utility knife, flashlight, hammer, and light bulbs), utensils (can opener, travel cups, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cutlery, and dish soap), and useful supplies (garbage bags and toilet paper).