Moving all of your earthly belongings from one place to another ranks high on the list “most stressful”. There’s only about a million things which can go wrong at any point in time. But if you plan and prepare properly, you can help alleviate many of the potential major catastrophes and help your big day to go much smoother.
Choosing a Moving Day
Choosing a good day to move involves more than simply locating a free calendar space. Actually, choosing the right day can mean less traffic in your movers’ way. If you play your cards right, putting more thought into the day you choose to move can even save you some green!
Statistically in the United States, most moves happen between Memorial and Labor Day. Considering the laws of supply and demand, moving rates are bound to cost more during this time period. Consequently, the less costly times to move are going to be just before and right after these holidays when comfortable weather generally abounds and it’s not too hot. Find time in either May or late September/early October so as to take advantage of much better rates.
Choosing a day mid-week also helps guarantee the best movers are available. So many try to squeeze their moves into the weekend, bottlenecking the resources of moving companies. This is the time to take advantage of other people’s poor planning and pick a day between Monday and Thursday when you will be made a priority.
Also, freeing yourself up for a few days off to move doesn’t only allow you the freedom to secure the best services, it provides buffer time for you and your family to adjust to the move. You can use this extra time wisely by exploring your new neighborhood and to bond as a family.
Remaining Organized
Even if your chosen to have your movers pack for you, it’s a really good idea to pre-organize so you have an idea of where everything is. Give thought beforehand to hiring a professional organizer to sift through all of your belongings before the move and start cleaning out the unneeded/unnecessary/unwanted clutter your family has amassed. Removing clutter beforehand means you will have a better idea of what you decide to keep and what goes before the move. Not to mention, it’s a trendy and very Marie Kondo thing to do!
Once you’ve reduced and decluttered and are now down to the essentials, speak to your moving company contact about how you want your items to be handled, packed and cared for during the process. Question them about their procedures for handling delicate items, especially antiques and other valuables. Make your expectations known regarding the move, and obtain the names of each mover that will be working at your home.
Commons sense dictates that when it comes to your very expensive and sentimental items (like jewelry, coins, etc….) plan to move them yourself. Put these types of items inside a portable safe and include any important papers you would also like to protect. And, if you have insurance policies for your items, keep the documentation separate from them. It’s best to have a trusted associate or family member hold them for safe keeping until you are finished with your move.
Clearly label all of your boxes with the rooms in which they belong. Avoid using generic terms like “kid’s room.” If you have more than one child, be sure the name of the child appears on the box so they know in which child’s room the box goes. This simple step assists in keeping things organized and makes unpacking much easier.
There’s no doubt that moving is stressful but these simple, thoughtful preparations can make it easier. When choosing a moving day, allow for some extra time off for the family in the months in early Spring or later summer when rates will be lower. Use the extra buffer time to be sure the adjustment goes smoothly for all. Become more organized and have a good clean-out which will make all the difference before it is time to begin packing. It’s a must to communicate with your movers about your expectations in handling delicate and valuable items. Also, be sure all boxes are clearly and specifically labeled to make unpacking the new house easier for everybody.
