People move for various reasons. Some relocate to get closer to their workplace and cut transportation costs. Others move to be near their loved ones or their school. While some move only to have a new view and experience. Whatever a person’s reason for moving is, they must know how to locate, prepare, pack, and unpack properly to maximize their time, money, and effort.  

Suppose you’re relocating anytime soon. In that case, you may need a guide to cut costs and use your energy efficiently. Well, you’re in the right place! This article won’t just provide you with some tips and tricks to prepare your stuff before you move but will also give you the things to avoid. Continue reading and be enlightened! 

Relocating To A New House And Preparing For A Move 

Before anything else, you need to prepare your move strategically for a hassle-free moving day. Consider the following tips for your preparation: 

1. Hire A Reliable Moving Company 

Although you can move your stuff to your new home with your car, seeking professional help moving is still the better option because such companies offer many moving services, from loading to unpacking. In addition, most moving companies have vehicles specifically designed for carrying bulky cargoes, such as fixtures, appliances, and furniture.  

Professional movers also consist of seasoned pros who’ve gained muscle and knowledge in relocating to new buildings. These professionals utilize equipment and tools to lift, load, and unload what the customer owns.  

In selecting a mover, one should check each company’s organic review and choose the one with much positive feedback. Also, it’s best to select a company with the necessary licenses and certifications to ensure a smooth move. Lastly, know if the company can accommodate your new house location and if they know the ins and outs of the route from your old home to your new home. 

2. Check The Papers Of The New Property 

Before setting the date of the move, you can check the integrity of the documents of the new house, such as the seller disclosure statement and home inspection report. You may also sift through the documents to further check the document’s authenticity. 

3. Check The Neighborhood 

Checking your new neighborhood doesn’t only mean you’d manually look at the nearby houses and streets but also include chit-chatting with your new neighbors. You may want to determine the kind of culture you’d be dealing with for years from the point of your move onwards.  

You may also research your new location’s crime rate, traffic flow, 24/7 stores, hospitals, and transport points. Also, try to drive from your new place to your probable common destinations, such as workplace, school, and grocery. 

4. Choose A Date 

You can start planning the day of your relocation and coordinating well with the owner of the house you’re leaving and the property you’d transfer to. You may save your chosen date in a calendar app for frequent reminders. Some apps may even provide tips on moving that could help you.  

In deciding your date of moving, you may choose between weekends and holidays so you’d have plenty of time to prepare and rest after the move. But if your relocation is urgent, you may proceed with the duly preparation for moving as soon as you settle your obligations in your previous location. 

5. Keep Track Of The Weather Forecast 

Once you’ve finalized a moving date, you must monitor the weather conditions in the coming days before and during the relocation. It will give you ideas of what clothes to wear and what preparation you should undertake. Then, you can plan out a contingency plan that you could implement in case of inclement weather. 

Tips In Packing For The Move 

After selecting the date of your move and preparing your papers for the big day, you can start packing your items. You may consider the following packing tips to have an organized, safe, and hassle-free move: 

1. Start Early 

Packing your items for the move may take a lot of time because it requires a lot of organizing and wrapping techniques to keep the objects intact and free from damage. Because of this, you need to pack stuff as early as possible. This way, you can have enough time to shop for various boxes and wraps. In addition, this will provide you with more time for last-minute packing if the initial boxing is inappropriate. 

2. Get Rid Of Unnecessary Items 

Moving lightly means relocating with only the essential items. It also means that all unnecessary items should be gotten rid of. For that purpose, you may donate old fixtures to friends or people who need them. You may also sell them. You can add some bucks to your budget by subtracting some baggage. Fewer items also mean you have fewer things to manage and pay for, making it an appropriate practice for a smooth and meaningful start in a new place.   

3. Use Appropriate Packing Materials  

Using suitable packing materials is an excellent approach to packing items safely. For example, glassware needs to be placed in boxes with carton dividers to prevent them from knocking each other. Putting pieces of paper and cartons between the glasses cushions them further. Knowing procedures like this cuts preparation time and avoids damage to items.  

For more ideas on which packing materials to use, read below: 

• Cardboard Boxes 

If you’re looking for reusable and environmentally friendly packing material, cardboard boxes may be the one for you. They usually come in various forms and sizes. So you can choose a perfect size for any of your items.  

In choosing cardboard, consider its structural integrity to ensure that heavy objects won’t rip it open. In addition, wrapping the bottom and underside of the boxes with duct tape reinforces the wrapping. 

• Bubble Wrap 

Bubble wraps are the go-to option for breakable items and any stuff that might get dented during the move. Its air-filled portions prevent items from having scrapes, dents, and disfigurements. Its low cost also makes it a practical option for packing.  

You may buy a bulk of bubble wrap and cut it according to the size of each item to be wrapped. This approach can save you more money than purchasing different sizes of bubble wraps. 

• Packing Labels 

You may use tape, a pentel pen, or stickers to label your items. These can be used for valuables so you can keep track of them and easily find them once they reach their new location. However, it would be better to label all your boxes for a faster unpacking process. They can also be helpful for fragile items to prevent them from getting damaged. Apart from this, they can be perfect for essential documents such as car and house registrations and similar papers. 

• Furniture Covers 

These are suitable for furniture, fixtures, and similar bulky items. They may contain pads that could protect the corners of the objects from being chipped and dented. When choosing a furniture cover, consider the types with tiny ropes or locks that you can tie to ensure that the large items can be fully wrapped and protected. 

4. Begin With The Big Stuff 

Packing your most oversized items, such as an appliance or furniture, is a good start for packing. In many cases, these objects occupy lots of space, and boxing and loading them first could help you organize your load better and give space for other items. 

5. Create A Moving Checklist 

A moving checklist contains not only the contents of your boxes but also the arrangement of the items in the vehicles. If you hire a moving company, you can ask a mover to assist you in grouping them. If you’re into DIY moving, you can manually arrange them in pallets before the relocation. Either way, each should have a proper label for easy identification and unloading. 

Tips For Unpacking The Items 

After unloading your stuff and cleaning your new property, you can start unpacking your boxes. For some tips and tricks, you may refer to the following: 

1. Put The Boxes According To Their Rooms 

Before you unpack your items, you can place your boxes in their corresponding rooms. For example, you can put your glassware in the kitchen and your wardrobe in your bedroom. That is why labeling your boxes is necessary. This method enables you to unpack faster and easier. 

2. Follow The ABC System 

While there could be different methods of efficient unpacking, you may try the simple ABC system for an easy process. This system groups items into three. A for items you frequently use, such as toiletries, food, and clothing. B is for things used on an average basis but not as much as the items in group A. This could be books, appliances, décor, and similar stuff. C is the group of items you rarely use and can be seasonal. It could be the holiday décor and clothes for specific seasons like winter. Start unpacking your items from A to C groups. This method will enable you to prioritize your essential items. 

3. Keep Your Rooms Decluttered 

Unpacking can produce a lot of waste, including torn and worn boxes and detached tapes. To avoid the buildup of garbage, you can place a trash bag within your reach. You may also place the garbage in the empty boxes and throw them in your house bin after you finish your unpacking. 

Wrapping Up 

Moving is one hell of a task from Day 0 of preparation to the last day of unpacking. Fortunately, this article offers insights on simplifying the process and ensuring that your items are relocated safely and in one piece. For more moving tips, you can ask seasoned movers or recently relocated friends before you prepare for your next move. 

Jane