Moving can be challenging and stressful a times, and we have to ensure that none of your items is left behind during the move. Hiring a quality and experienced moving company is a reasonable manner of reducing some of the stress connected to moving. Nevertheless, there are still many tasks you need to take care of. Packing all your items, loading the truck with boxes, and ensuring your kids and sometimes pets are comfortable is never easy.
There are many things to keep up with, and this is where a checklist is convenient; it will make you move like a pro. The list of items on your checklist can be overwhelming, but you will manage through this comfortably and enjoy your stay in the new home through the correct planning. This article has prepared for you a moving checklist broken into steps to make you remain focused and be confident that you will cover all you are expected to do during the whole process.
Table of Contents
1. Strategize: Eight Weeks Before
Many individuals begin the moving process by packing, but then, there is much to be done before thinking you start thinking of packing. . If you want a smooth move, you need to have a good strategy and plan at hand. Therefore, during strategizing, you need to consider the following;
- Decide on the best day of moving: if you are in charge of selecting your moving day, choose a day that will save you some coins. Opt for mornings, weekdays, and off-seasons months because they are always the most affordable times to move.
- Research for moving services: this is when everyone planning to move out starts figuring out how to do it. There are two options, either you do it yourself or hire professionals. Begin looking around for the best choice for you that will fit within your budget. If you decide to opt for movers, you can always ask for recommendations from friends and families who have moved before. Hire a professional company like https://www.cbdmovers.com.au/
removals/removalists-melbourne as they provide licensed movers and insured to guarantee your property safety; they are also reputable and have good reviews from their customers. - Visit your new home: before moving, ensure you have visited the new area in person. This will offer you a better feeling for the place and different neighborhoods and amenities. You will be able to learn much about your community before officially moving into the area.
- Make a budget appropriately: before hiring a moving company or deciding to use a DIY move, think about your general relocation budget. If you plan to hire a moving company, you should use roughly $5,000 during the move. Nevertheless, you can always contact different moving companies from different parts to offer you the move estimation as you compare it to your budget. Long-distance moves usually cost a bit higher compared to the local moves that may only cost $1,000.
- Measure your furniture: take your furniture measurement and the door’s size before shifting your furniture to the new home. Make sure your furniture can fit the size of the door of the new home for you not to remain stranded. If it happens to be bigger than the door space, you can sell it or donate out and use that money in moving out.
2. Declutter And Donate: 6-8 Weeks Before The Day Of Moving:
Before you begin packing your items in the box, check through all your belongings and decide which you will give out or donate. Avoid packing things that you won’t use in your new home to cut the moving cost. You can donate your unused clothes to Goodwill or even a children’s home. Your appliances and furniture can be donated to the donation organizations registered for your tax to be reduced.
3. Pack 3-6 Weeks Before Moving:
It is never easy to reach this stage; therefore, if you have, congratulate yourself. Begin packing by;
- Collecting and labeling moving boxes: you can check out businesses that can offer you free boxes instead of buying them. It is difficult to detect the number of boxes needed but always get as many as you can. You can begin labeling your boxes, and this will matter to both you and your movers. Ensure the labeling are straightforward and easy to read.
- Purchase moving supplies: if you are using DIY to move, you will need a dolly and furniture moving pads. On the other hand, if you opt for a moving company, you will need packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and many other things.
- Pack things you won’t use: pack things such as decoration, artwork, and photo frames that you are not using at that moment
- Prepare startup kit: gather things you will want to use in your new home during the first week.
- Separate valuable and important documents by packing them into a different box and carry them during the move.
4. Announce Your Change Of Address 2-3 Weeks Before The Day Of Moving:
This is among the most tedious and essential parts of moving. You have to change your address not to receive your things in your old home. Inform the utility service about your relocation, government agencies, health facilities, and other essential business organizations.
5. Final Preparations 1-2 Weeks Before Moving Day:
- Packing: Finalize packing and begin preparing your home for the next owner. Prepare equipment, clear your pantry and ensure you have enough food to last you for some period. Pack your kitchenware’s and label boxes well to avoid losing track of them when moving
- Clean your old house: Clean up the house to your satisfaction, remove all the trash and clean the floor for your next tenant. This will help you spot areas that require repair and work on them before inspection from your landlord.
- Inspect your old house: inspect your old home with your landlord and discuss the damages that you were not in a position to fix during cleanup. Have a joint agreement on how to go about it
- Clean your new home: Clean your new home thoroughly to enjoy it fully. Dust all the surfaces, vacuum, mop, and do away with cobwebs. Scrub the shower, bathtubs, and toilets and clean the drawers.
- Take inventory: take a record of all your property to keep track of what movers will be transporting. If any of your property damaged, take a photo for evidence when seeking compensation. Be very keen on the fragile items for the sake of insurance and liability cover.
6. Move On The D-Day:
you have keenly followed every step in the checklist; now it’s time to move. You are expected to load your items and be on your way. Welcome your professionals or your friends if you are using the DIY method. Direct your movers towards your new home, and on arrival, ensure all your items are offloaded and carefully placed in your new home.
7. Settle In 1-2 Weeks After Moving:
you can start unpacking everything one by one. Acquire homeowner’s insurance for the safety of your home. Ensure all the fire safety devices are in a good state. After arranging your home appropriately with everything placed correctly to where it should belong, enjoy your stay with your family. It has been a long and hectic process; it sits back with your family, relaxes, and enjoys the stay of your new home. You can make more improvements to your home’s look and feel by using décor and furniture in phases as time goes by.