25 Tips for Moving House - With Less Stress!
Moving into a new home is exciting!
The prospect of packing and actually physically moving all your stuff is NOT.
Read on for a list of tips to help you survive your next move, with less stress and fewer problems along the way!
It seems like almost everyone I know has moved at some point in the last 5 years! Be it moving into a first apartment, moving up to a larger home in a different city or new neighbourhood, or downsizing to a smaller space, every move is different - but every move is hard!
If it's been a long time since the last time you moved ALL your stuff from one house to another, you may have forgotten how overwhelming it can be. You have accumulated many more things and pieces of furniture since the last time you moved. As your collection of belongings grows, the effort of moving it all goes up!
I've gathered together a list of tips from friends, family, and my own experience, to help you avoid some major headaches during your next move.
Read on, and Good Luck!
6 Months Before Moving Day
Tip #1 - Declutter first, and start early!
Long before you even start to think about packing, the first step is to declutter - BIG TIME.
Now is the time to look at your stuff critically and decide what makes the cut! Not every item in your home deserves a spot on the moving truck. Why spend extra time and money moving things that you don't need to take with you?
Make your move easier - donate, sell and toss out those unused items BEFORE you start to pack. Your wallet (and your sanity) will thank you!
1 to 2 Months Before Moving Day
Tip #2 - Book your moving company or moving truck 4 to 8 weeks in advance
Whether you are hiring a moving company or planning to DIY from start to finish, a moving company or moving truck are key elements you need to book before the big day. Also:
Summer is the busiest time for moving, so if you are moving at that time, book early!
Multi-story building? Don't forget to book the elevator for moving day!
Schedule your move for the middle of the month, if possible. Many people move at the beginning/end of the month, so you can potentially save money by avoiding this busy time.
When choosing a moving company, consider getting quotes from at least 3 different companies before you sign a contract. Research the company well (check out referrals and reviews), and find out what their company policies are. A great resource for finding a moving company is the Canadian Association of Movers website. It's important to ask each company some questions such as:
What is their estimate for cost and time
What insurance coverage do they have (this is critical!)
How many people and trucks will they send
Do they have specific requirements about what types of boxes you must use?
Some companies will provide you with their own re-usable moving bins
Will they pack anything for you?
Some companies offer packing services, others do not
Some may refuse to move any items that are not pre-packed in boxes
How do they handle artwork, mirrors and other fragile items
Are there any items that they do NOT allow on the moving truck?
Are they moving anyone else on the same day? If so, are you the first or the last customer of the day?
For a multi-day move, will the truck be parked in a secure location at night?
Tip #3 - Gather packing materials: Boxes, tape, & newsprint
Newsprint paper is AWESOME for packing breakable and fragile things! Order a box of pre-cut newsprint sheets to have ready before you start packing. Blank newsprint is preferable to re-using newspaper because ink doesn't get all over your hands and your dishes, and it takes up less space than bubble wrap.
Boxes are the next important item on the list. You will need:
Small boxes for heavy things like books, tools, magazines (free boxes from liquor stores are great for books!)
Large boxes for pillows, bedding, blankets and other light things
Medium boxes for everything else (get LOTS of these)
A roll of packing tape and a tape dispenser with a handle for easy tape cutting/rolling
Where to get boxes from? Try:
Re-use boxes from friends and family (chances are someone else has moved recently!)
Buy new boxes from a big-box store
Use boxes provided by your moving company, if they offer this service
Ask for free boxes at local retailers and liquor stores
Consider buying good quality clear plastic bins for packing items that are likely to remain packed or stored for periods of time (seasonal items like winter/summer sports gear or decorations)
Tip #4 - Label EVERYTHING in great detail
Label every box in detail! Include:
What is inside (with as much detail as possible!)
What room it belongs in at the new house (Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Office, Kid's Room, Basement)
How quickly should it be unpacked
Try labelling your boxes with a priority number, to help you remember which ones to unpack first:
Priority #1 = Day 1
First day essentials, medications
Food (fridge and pantry)
Toothbrush and toiletries
Bed and bedding, pillows, blankets for the first night
Toilet paper, cleaning supplies, first aid kit
Tools for assembling furniture
Basic kitchen supplies (dishes, cutlery, glasses)
Priority # 2 = First Week
Kitchen (everything else not unpacked on day 1)
Clothing (put away in dressers & closets)
Toys, books, games
Priority #3 = Less Critical, or Storage (basement, attic)
Seasonal items (sports gear or decor)
These are items that you can safely wait a month or two before opening the box. These are also the things that you should pack first! (see Tip #5 below)
BONUS Tip: If you have any unopened Priority #3 boxes left after 1 year of moving into your new space, consider if you still need the items that are inside! These may be prime candidates to donate or give away :)
Tip #5 - Start packing the basement & attic first
Head to your basement, attic, and storage spaces. Items found in these areas of your home are there because you don't use them every day. Pack these first, because they won't be missed if they live in a box for a few extra weeks!
Tip #6 - Box up the kitchen and everyday items last
Save the items you use every day to the very end. These include your toiletries, favourite clothing, and your regular kitchen items.
The kitchen can be a big job, so I don't recommend leaving EVERYTHING in the kitchen to the end. Go ahead and pack up the special serving dishes, cheese board, food processor and mixer a week before the big move.
But regular items like your favourite frying pan, cutlery, plates and glasses can wait until the day before. You still need these to eat!
Tip #7 - Pack a "First Day Survival Kit" for the house and for each person
There are things that you will need right away! Pack a moving day "survival" kit with all the essentials, and bring this with you on moving day (don't put it in the moving truck, in case it doesn't arrive at the same time you do!).
For the House:
First aid kit
Box cutters / scissors
Cleaning supplies
Toilet paper
Hand soap & hand towels
Tools & hardware for re-assembling furniture
Paper plates/napkins
Pet food and pet supplies
For each person, think about what you would need if you were staying for a few nights at a hotel. Pack a suitcase containing the following:
Medications
Toiletries
Towel
Extra clothes (2 to 3 days worth)
Pajamas
Snacks
Toys/games/books for kids
Tip #8 - Take special care of irreplaceable items
Pack delicate or breakable items together, and label the box FRAGILE. Have lots of newsprint and bubble wrap on hand for these items. Towels are also great for wrapping and layering between delicate items.
Consider moving these items separately from the rest of your belongings. They could go in your personal vehicle instead of the moving truck, or move them on a separate day.
Remember to take photos of these items before you pack them up!
Tip #9 - Take photos of your TV and electronics cables setup
Stop! Before you unplug the TV and other electronics, take a quick photo of all the cables plugged into the back, so you have a record of what goes where. This will save you some frustration when it's time to hook it all back up again!
Tip #10 - Bag up your clothes still on the hangers
Clothing on hangers in your closet is super easy and quick to pack. Leave them hanging up, and gather a group of items together. Take a clear plastic garbage bag and hold it underneath the hanging clothes, then just pull the bag up and around so that all the clothes are inside the bag. Tie it with the tops of the hangers sticking out the top of the bag. Tie the hangers together with a twist tie or zip tie, and then lift the bag of clothes off the rack.
When you arrive at your destination, just hang the clothes back up, remove the bag and untie the hangers. Done!
Tip #11 - Disassemble large furniture
Large pieces of furniture will be MUCH easier to move if you disassemble them first. Some items may not fit through the door in one piece! Do this the day before moving day. Even your bed frame can be disassembled the day before! Consider sleeping with the mattress on the floor for the last night :)
Don't forget to:
Keep all the screws & hardware together in labelled sealed baggies, one baggie per item of furniture
Take photos of the furniture before and after disassembly (with closeups of critical connections) so you have a record of all the pieces and how they fit together
On Moving Day
Tip #12 - Have a contingency plan
Have a "Plan B" ready if things go awry on moving day.
Plan for extra time in your schedule in case of delays. Try to set your moving date at least 2 days (or more!) before possession date of your last place, so that you have extra time to remove your belongings before you hand over keys. You might need this extra time to go back for items left behind (it happens!) and to clean the space.
Keep a reserve budget for unexpected expenses
Have written phone numbers and addresses handy (don't just rely on your phone). Important numbers include your real estate agent, your real estate lawyer, the moving company, and a locksmith.
Have a first aid kit handy
Have phone numbers for friends and family you can call for help if something goes wrong
Tip #13 - Book a hotel
Moving long distance?
Moving a large household?
Movers called and they are late because they double booked?
If it looks like your move might not happen all in one day, consider booking a nearby hotel so you have a place to rest at the end of the day. You will be able to return refreshed in the morning!
Tip #14 - Arrange for a baby sitter
Arrange for a trusted relative or friend to take the kids for the day. If something goes awry, it will be easier to deal with moving day drama if you know the kids are safely enjoying their day elsewhere.
Tip #15 - Keep pets safe
Pets will also get stressed out on moving day. Consider sending them away for the day too! Find a friend to pet-sit or book a day at doggy-day care for your furry family members. If this is not an option, then confine your pet to one room in the home during the move so that they are not underfoot while boxes and furniture are being moved out the door.
Tip #16 - Take lots of photos
On the morning of moving day, walk around your home and take photos of the contents of every room, every box, and every piece of furniture. This will serve as a record of your belongings and what condition they are in before they leave the house. If a problem arises later about missing or damaged items, you'll have photographs to show proof of what was in your home.
Tip #17 - Load the heaviest stuff first on the bottom
The heaviest boxes should always go on the bottom. This will help keep your stuff safe, and prevent the truck from tipping over!
Heavy furniture should also be protected. Large blankets, towels and cushions are great for stuffing in between and wrapping around pieces of furniture. This will help prevent damage from friction as objects bump against each other on the moving truck.
Tip #18 - Check for items left behind!
Double check through the whole house to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Look in the back of closets, kitchen drawers, storage spaces, and outside. Did you remember to grab these things?
Welcome mat at the front door
Outdoor decor (bird feeders? garden gnomes?)
Key holder on the wall
Garbage can under the kitchen sink
Over-the-door hanging organizers and hooks (not attached)
Wedding dress at the very back of the closet!
On the other hand, some things can be left behind on purpose! If you have any leftover paint or flooring that matches the finishes in the house, consider leaving these behind for the new homeowners.
Tip #19 - Transport essentials and valuables in your own vehicle
Don't risk your most important items. Take these with you in your own vehicle on moving day!
First Day Survival Kits (refer back to Tip #7)
Cell phones, laptops
Important documents (marriage & birth certificates, passports, etc)
Small valuables, heirlooms, jewelry
On Arrival
Tip #20 - Change the locks
Schedule a locksmith to meet you at your new house to change the locks on the first day.
Tip #21 - Set up the bed first
Moving day is long and exhausting. You are going to need a place to sleep when it is all over! Before you tackle any boxes of stuff, be sure to set up your bed, or at least a temporary bed (mattress or sleeping bag on the floor works if necessary!)
If this turns out to be impossible, then refer back to Tip #13: Book a Hotel!
Tip #22 - Order in
Cooking will likely be impossible on moving day. Save yourself the stress of searching for your kitchen utensils amongst the chaos, and order take-out for dinner!
Tip #23 - Unpack by priority
This step is already partly taken care of if you followed Tip #2 (label your boxes with a priority number). Start with boxes labelled Priority #1!
If you didn't pre-label, unpack based on location. Kitchen first, then bedrooms and bathrooms. Leave less frequented areas to the end (storage, office, front entryway).
Tip #24 - Leave the rest for tomorrow
When exhaustion kicks in, it's ok to take a break and leave the rest for tomorrow. The boxes will still be there in the morning :) If you got all your Priority #1 boxes unpacked on Day 1 then you are in good shape!
Once you are settled in
Tip #25 - Declutter Again!
After you have settled into your new place for a while (6 months to a year), assess your belongings that you brought with you. Things to ask yourself:
Does all of our furniture fit and work well in our new home?
Did anything get damaged during the move?
Are there any boxes we haven't opened yet since we moved?
That last point is key. After one year in your new home, you have had occasion to use all of your seasonal and holiday items. If anything is still packed in a box at this point, that means you have not needed it yet for an entire year. These items could be a prime candidates to donate or give away!
I hope this post was helpful! Thanks for reading!
Amanda
Brought to you by: Lighter Side Interiors
August 2018