How to Prepare for a Big Move

Moving to a new home is always fraught with excitement, adventure, stress and expectations. It’s a new beginning, which entails tackling many unknowns and embarking on new experiences. A new home can be symbolic for everything that the future holds for you and your family!

The following tips for a big move are meant to help you stay focused, organized and have a seamless and stress-free move to your new place!

Give Yourself Time

Starting early is a critical thing to do while preparing your move. If it’s possible, make sure you have plenty of extra time until the big day comes.

Don’t underestimate the time you will need to plan the logistics of your move and to get everything packed up.

In the best case scenario, you will have to start the packing and planning process eight weeks before the move.  Each week, you should finish at least 2-3 tasks. For example, 8 weeks before the move, you will have to research for any special laws and requirements that apply to you in the way of home-based businesses (If you are moving to a new municipality), and start getting estimates from reputable moving companies.

This will give you enough time for each of the following steps. It will also allow you to feel a lot calmer and more level-headed throughout the entire moving process.

Create a Move Dedicated Notebook

Using a notebook or a binder for a moving journal will definitely make your life way easier. Utilize colored post-it notes or page dividers will help you even more.

If you are using a binder, it would be great to have leaflet holders or pockets to slip in important documents for quick removal and use.

Make any important notes or reminders to yourself about where your belongings are packed or where they need to be packed for the big move.

Moreover, you can use different color dividers for each room of your home, and with that, you will be able to track the process of each area separately.

Pack Your Belongings Wisely

However, organizing everything by room, may not always be the best approach. As things are often packaged differently it is a much better approach to gather your belongings by type.

With this purpose in mind, you can start gathering all of your clothing together. Create piles based on where you gathered them from, e.g. mum’s clothes, dad’s clothes, kids clothes etc.

This approach is also time-effective because instead of spending a day cleaning out your entire bedroom, you will have to spend an afternoon sorting through every article of clothing you own.

Repeat the action for books, important papers, shoes and so on.

Of course, in the process of moving, you will need plenty of boxes. To save some money, ask friends and neighbors if they have any unused boxes that you can use for your possessions.

Moreover, you can visit the closest recycling center to see what boxes can be salvaged. Don’t forget the local grocery stores and other retailers. There are plenty of extra boxes that are free and can be used.

Once you have enough boxes and materials, you can again use colored labels for each box. For example, stick a purple label to all boxes full of clothes. This will allow you to easily recognize the content of each box while unloading and unpacking at your new place.

Simple, but a very useful trick!

Decide on Your Moving Method

Of course, you will have to decide on how you’re actually going to get all of your belongings to your new place – by yourself or by using a professional company.

Moreover, if you decide to go for a DIY approach, you will probably have to rent a truck for all the large and bulky items that won’t fit in your car. Renting a large spacious truck will allow you to get everything all in one load.

On the other hand, you can hire professional movers. Professional movers will be able to get all of your belongings across the country for you, taking the weight off your shoulders.

This option is, of course, the easiest. However, be sure to compare different professional moving companies to find the best deal for you.

Pack an “essentials box”

Accidents happen and the last thing you want is to lose an important documents such as passports, medical cards etc. Pack a separate briefcase, bag or box that contains all of your most important documents – things that are either very hard or expensive to replace.

Besides the briefcase with documents, you can create a so-called essentials box. The one will be the first to open, once you arrive at your new home.

In it, you’ll want to include items like an alarm clock, pain reliever medication, basic cleaning supplies, bedding and linens, box cutter (or knife), change of clothes, disposable plates, cups, and eating utensils, extension cords and batteries, first aid kit, medications and eyeglasses, scissors, trash bags, work gloves, screwdriver and hammer and in some cases-toys and games for the kids and pet supplies for your pets.