Moving from one place to the next is an unforgettable journey. Packing up everything and getting out the door is going to be exhausting but exciting. You’ve got a lot to do before the final day, and some of those tasks are going to be stressful. Having a list to follow will soften the load a little and make the whole adventure much less stressful. Here are things to do before you move:
1. Set Your Moving Date & Let Companies Know
The first thing you want to do is set a moving date. Give yourself enough time in advance and account for school, work, holidays, traffic, and other things. Then, you can start scheduling tasks for each day leading up to your move. Don’t forget to first go to the post office to change your mailing address. Call insurance and utility companies to let them know about your move, and see if you can get services switched over to the new location so you don’t have gaps in service.
2. Sell or Donate Unwanted Items
Some items are going to be useless or worn out. You might have unwanted items that are still in great condition. Why not donate or have a yard sale? Ridding yourself of extra items will reduce the overall cost of moving (fewer boxes to haul). Plus, if you can sell some things at the yard sale, you make some additional money for the move itself.
3. Hire Professional Movers
You might want to save some money during your move and pack everything up yourself, but that is not always the wisest move. Do you know how to pack boxes to reduce the risk of cracks and other damages? Professional movers have the tools and the skills to pack everything up double time; and they’ll do their job without ruining any valuables. Plus, they can help you with all the heavy moving, loading, and unloading.
In the end, you save loads of time and can focus on other important things, like prepping for the journey ahead of you.
4. Set Aside Essentials & Make an Open-First Box
When you get to your new home, it’s going to be a bit overwhelming. All those boxes are going to be in an otherwise empty space. If you don’t know what items are in which boxes, you could exhaust yourself searching. Instead, pack essential items separately, in an overnight bag or luggage. Then, avoid any inconveniences by making an Open-First box. This is a box that you bring with you and open first once you get to your destination. It might contain things like toilet paper, toothbrushes, dinner plates and utensils, electronic devices, and so on.
5. Clean Your Old Home
One of the last things you should do before moving onto your new home is to clean. As unappealing as it seems to clean when all you want to do is depart, it is always best to leave your own home in excellent condition. There are a few reasons for this. If you were renting, it ensures you get your security deposit returned. If you own the home, it’s to either make the property attractive to a potential buyer or to ensure that the next family who moves in doesn’t have a mess to deal with.
Dust the house, remove cobwebs, mop the floors, vacuum carpets, wash the windows, and be sure to lock the door to your old abode one final time.
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of our things to do before you move on to the list. Once you complete all the tasks, you will be able to successfully embark on the journey to your new home.
