Tips and Tricks For Moving Mountains (Or Your Family)

Whether you’re planning a move across town or across the country, the task of packing up your home and relocating can be daunting. Follow these four stress – free packing tips to ensure your move goes smoothly.

Start Early

Begin making arrangements at least two months before the move. Decide if you’ll make the move yourself—ideally with the help of some wonderful friends and family members—or use a moving company. If you opt to hire help, bear in mind that there are different types of moving services. Some companies will move your belongings from door to door, while others offer trucking services only. Begin researching your options at least eight weeks before your anticipated move, as movers get booked during peak moving times.

Whether you’re planning a DIY move or using a professional mover, you’ll still need to pack everything. You can plan to pack your belongings yourself, or hire out the packing (talk about stress-free!). One of the most reliable and stress-free packing tips is to start early. Begin sorting and purging possessions. Go through each room and decide what to keep and what to sell or give away. Create a space in your house for a donation pile. If you have time to organize a yard sale or try to sell things online, designate another space for those items.

Now is also the time to consider which items need special consideration during the move. Fragile objects and valuable keepsakes often require extra care when moving, so it’s a good idea to start making notes about these cherished possessions.

Get Organized

Designate a method of keeping track of all relevant documents and information. Keep receipts, estimates, and an inventory of items in a box or a binder that can be accessed easily throughout the move. Measuring your furnishings before the move will make it easier to arrange your things in the new space. If you’re a fan of checklists, now is the time to make one.

Acquire moving supplies well in advance. You can buy these supplies at shipping and storage facilities, and you may be able to get sturdy boxes for free from nearby stores.

Pack Wisely

Start by packing items that you use infrequently or that are out of season. Try to keep the same type of items together and clearly label the boxes. You also may want to number the boxes and create a corresponding list according to the destination in the new house. Set aside a box that contains essential items that you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Clearly identifying what you’ve packed is one of the easiest stress free packing tips. Also, keep some cleaning supplies handy for last-minute use.

Change of Address

A month prior to moving, complete a change-of-address form for the postal service. You can do it online through the USPS website or at your local post office. Also make sure to notify important parties (banks, employers, utility providers, etc.) and companies that you have subscriptions with (magazines, food deliveries, etc.). That way, you won’t experience a lag in services.

When moving day arrives, make sure to allow for breaks. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes and get plenty of rest the night before so you can start out on the right foot in your new home. These stress free packing tips should ensure that you have the best experience possible.