Moving home can be a hugely stressful experience. Whether you’re moving to a new house or to another country, there are a few things you should do beforehand to make the transition go as smoothly as possible.
One of the first things you should do is to declutter your house. This means getting rid of anything you no longer use or need and packing up items that you will keep.
Packing
A move is a great time to declutter your home and eliminate any unwanted items that you no longer need. By eliminating these unnecessary items, you can save money on moving costs and avoid wasting packing supplies.
You can also utilize suitcases for clothing items, which will reduce the number of boxes you need to purchase. Lastly, pack away any unused furniture and electronics before moving day, making unpacking at your new home easier.
Start by determining which room in your home is least used and then begin the packing process. This could be your garage, closets, basement or attic.
Then, determine what is needed to be packed in each box and label the boxes accordingly. Using color-coding can make it easy to locate and identify items within the box.
When packing fragile items, use a mix of soft packing paper and thick socks or clean towels to cushion them. This will ensure that they are not broken during transit.
If you are in a hurry, remember to pack only essentials. This includes things like toiletries, medicines, chargers, personal items and a few changes of clothes.
Organize each box by the room it will go in, and make sure each box contains a layer of padding – newspapers, bubble wrap or household goods. Load the heaviest items first, so they can be placed towards the front of the moving truck.
This makes it easier for movers to load the truck, and it will prevent your boxes from becoming super heavy.
You can also organize each room by the functions it serves, such as a formal dining area or a home office, or by what you need to keep close to you. For instance, if you need to access important documents or electronics, consider keeping these in a lockbox.
Cleaning
One of the first things you need to do after a move is give the house or apartment a good cleaning. Whether you’re moving into brand new construction or an established home, the previous tenants could have left behind dirt, dust, and grime in areas you wouldn’t have thought of.
In addition to being a health concern, dirty spaces can also make your home less inviting. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape before you start moving in.
Before you get started, create a list of the things that need to be cleaned in each room. This will help you to get a clear idea of how much time is needed and where to focus your efforts.
Once you’ve made a list, go room by room and start with the highest points such as ceilings, light fixtures, and doors. Then work your way down to the floors and end with cleaning the furniture and other surfaces.
Besides helping you to get your new place in shape, a good cleaning can also save you money down the road. It can help you to keep your apartment or rental unit in good condition and prevent wear and tear from occurring on the walls, floors, baseboards, and light fixtures.
Another great reason to have a deep clean after you’ve moved into your new home is because it helps you avoid the germs, bacteria, and other allergens that can live in dirty spaces. A professional cleaning service is able to use products that can effectively remove these allergens, thereby making your home safer for you and your family to live in.
Repairs
If you are moving into a new home, there are going to be some repairs that need to be made. These could be anything from replacing light bulbs to making minor repairs to your carpeting.
The best time to tackle these is before you move in. This will ensure that your new home is in good condition and that you don’t have to worry about a lot of things during the settling in period.
Some of these repairs are obvious, while others may be a bit more challenging. Make a list of what you need to do and stick to it. You can also do a walk around your new home to see if you can spot any potential problems that need to be fixed before the big move.
Most homes are going to need some work done, whether it is cosmetic or structural. In fact, a recent survey found that more than 75% of new homeowners have dealt with an unexpected home repair in their first year.
Getting the right contractor for the job can be a challenge, especially if you are in a tight budget. However, the right person can help you avoid unnecessary headaches and save you time and money in the long run.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to a successful home move is to have a plan B and backup plans. This will help you stay on top of everything from cleaning to repairing the house. It is also a good idea to take photographs of any major repairs you need to do in your new home as this will help you with the insurance claims process.
Insurance
When you’re moving home, it’s essential to have a policy in place that covers the items you move. This can include your personal possessions, belongings in transit and the contents of a rental vehicle. You can purchase insurance through the moving company or through a third-party provider.
You should contact your insurer 30 to 60 days before the moving date and tell them you’re planning a move so they can review their current policy, Binness says. They may also need to update your coverage depending on your new situation, such as if you’ll be buying a new home and selling your current one at the same time.
Most homeowners policies are written on a named-peril basis, meaning they are only supposed to cover named losses that are defined in the policy. An overturned truck could be considered a named peril, so it’s important to make sure you have this type of coverage for the items you’re moving.
Many moving companies offer released value protection, which is included in the price of the move and pays a liability amount that’s no more than 60 cents per pound per article. This means if you pay a mover $6,000 and they break or damage a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000, you would receive only $6 in compensation (60 cents x 10 pounds).
Released value protection isn’t worth the money you pay, so you can look into purchasing full value protection to protect your items. With this type of insurance, you can declare the value of your household goods at the time you sign the contract. Then, if your items are damaged or lost, the company will reimburse you the replacement value of those items.
Moving day
Moving day can be a stressful time, but with the right planning and preparation, you can make it go more smoothly. There are many tasks that need to be completed before moving day, and this checklist will help you make sure you cover all of them.
Decide on the move date and plan everything out ahead of time. This will save you a lot of stress and make the entire process go smoother.
If you have small children or pets, arrange to have them stay with a family member for the day or to hire a babysitter to look after them. This will allow you to focus on the actual move, and it will also ensure that your little ones are safe.
Pack a moving day bag with items you will need for the day. This should include important documents, medications, electronics and pajamas. This can help you get through the day without having to worry about running out of anything.
Before the movers arrive, complete a walk-through of your home. This is a great way to check that you haven’t forgotten anything, and it will give you peace of mind that everything is ready for the movers to load.
Count and inventory all of your boxes before the movers come to pack them up. This will save you a lot of time and effort in the future if you need to check what’s in the truck and where it is.
Declutter, sell and donate as much of your old belongings as you can before moving. This will not only help you pay for your move, but it will also reduce the amount of boxes you’ll need to haul to your new home.