How to prepare for a move?
Get ready for a smooth, stress-free move!
Are you about to make a move and not sure where to start? As a local moving company we completely understand that moving can seem a bit overwhelming at first. There's a lot on the to do list and you may have a short time to get it all done.
Don't worry, that's what we're here for! Instead of hitting you with dozens of items on a moving checklist, we're giving you the five essentials that will make any move easier.
Figure Out Moving Services, Timeline and Budget
The first thing you want to do is figure out what services you need if you're hiring movers, when you need to get everything done and how much you need to pay for it.
✔ What moving services do you need?
Just needing some extra hands to load heavy furniture and transport it to the new location is different than wanting someone else to handle just about everything. Working with a full service moving company will cover all of the bases, but it's important to identify what you actually need before reaching out to moving companies.
✔ When do you need moving services?
Most of the time there's a date when you need to be out of your old place and into your new place. That move date can help you establish a timeline for getting everything done.
✔ How much do you need to pay for moving services?
Once you know what moving services you need and when you need them you can figure out a budget. This may require contacting movers directly since very few include pricing online and they often only provide a flat fee estimate.
If you're moving in the Austin area we provide transparent pricing for moving services. We charge by the hour rather than a flat fee and the pricing is online. But you can contact us for an estimate to figure out how many hours will be needed.
Hire Professional Movers as Soon as You Have a Move Out Date
Lining up a moving company well in advance is always recommended, especially if you need to move on a weekend or in the busy summer season. It never hurts to get your moving company of choice scheduled ahead of time, but waiting too long could mean they can't fit you into their schedule.
We can help with this part of the planning process if you're moving in the Austin metro area. You can fill out the online form to get a free estimate or schedule services!
Go Through Everything to Inventory and Declutter
There's no reason to waste space on the moving truck bringing things to your new house that you no longer need, want or can use. You'll need fewer moving boxes and will spend less time loading by decluttering before you start packing up.
Go through each room in your current home and create an inventory list. The list should have five categories:
✔ Keep
✔ Give Away
✔ Donate
✔ Sell
✔ Trash/Recycle
The keepers are what you'll be packing up or loading into the moving truck. Everything else should be handled accordingly. High price items that are gently used can be sold to help pay for the entire moving process or provide extra funds to purchase items you'll need for the new space.
Try your best to give away or donate the rest. Repurposing is even more eco-friendly than recycling. Anything that's broken or in bad condition can find its way to the trash.
Get Packing Supplies and Start Boxing Up Belongings as Early as Possible
Break out the bubble wrap, packing paper and packing tape! Unless you're using professional packing services, you'll need to get packing materials and put together a plan for boxing everything up. We recommend that clients:
✔ Start with non-essentials and out of season items.
✔ Box up smaller items in the attic, basement and garage.
✔ Pack up any spare bedrooms.
✔ Clear out closets.
Basically anything that isn't used on a regular basis is fair game to get packed up well in advance.
This is also the time to decide what moving boxes you want to handle yourself and keep with you rather than loading it onto the truck. Some things you might want to hang onto and bring in your vehicle are:
Important documents
Small valuables like jewelry
Irreplaceable heirlooms such as an urn with a loved one's cremains.
Just make sure to label boxes so that the movers know which ones you're taking and which moving boxes they need to load on the truck.
Set Up Home Services
Once you're within a few weeks of moving you'll want to make sure the new home is ready for moving day. You want to set up the:
✔ Utilities
✔ Internet
✔ Phone
✔ Mailing Address
What's most important is that you research the utility companies and get electricity set up before moving day. That way you can still make progress moving in once the sun goes down.