Making a thorough and detailed moving checklist is best to organize your move and reduce stress.
There are a lot of tasks, chores, and to-dos before a move. Planning and organizing a move can be overwhelming; if you don’t have a clear idea of what needs to get done – you’ll be stressed throughout the entire process. Making a moving checklist is the best way to stay on track. It’ll ensure you don’t forget anything important that could negatively impact your new home or moving day. Suppose you’re having difficulty deciding what to prioritize first. In that case, we have a list of 7 things you’ll need to include to help you get started.
Seven things you should include in your moving checklist:
1. Find boxes and gather moving supplies
The least expensive way to find boxes and moving supplies is to get them second-hand. People don’t often put this on their moving checklist – it is pretty self-explanatory after all. However, if you start to ask around for boxes and supplies ahead of time, you can accumulate them as you go. You’ll save yourself a lot of money, and you’ll be helping the planet too.
2. Schedule your mail to be forwarded
It may take a while to update your address with everyone you receive mail from. Once you have your new address, schedule your mail to get forwarded after moving if someone accidentally sends mail to your old address.
3. Complete change of address forms
Whenever you move to a new address, you’ll need to update your drivers’ license, health cards, insurance information, and more. Many people forget to add this to their moving checklist and only get around to it months after they’ve moved. It’s best to get ahead of it while you can to avoid missing any critical communications and information.
4. Declutter and donate old and unused items
Now is the time to get rid of all of those items that take up unnecessary space in your home – if you don’t need them now, you won’t need them at your new home either. Donate them to someone who’ll put them to good use.
5. Make any necessary travel arrangements and reservations.
If you’re planning a long-distance move, you’ll need to determine whether you’ll need to stay in a hotel, rent a storage space, and book tickets for travel accommodations if necessary. You’re more likely to find better prices and have more options when you book these ahead of time.
6. Make a plan for moving large appliances, instruments, and furniture.
Oversized items require extra care and special equipment to move them safely. Put this at the top of your moving checklist so that you don’t forget. It can be challenging to make these arrangements at the last minute.
7. Hire a moving company
The most helpful thing to put on your moving checklist is hiring a professional moving company. Depending on the time of year you plan to move, it may be hard to find available movers for the dates you need – so try to book as far ahead as possible. Once you book your movers, you won’t have to worry about renting a truck or finding friends and family to help you move. By hiring professional movers, you’ll eliminate a lot of extra tasks on your moving checklist – they have it handled for you.