Planning to Move? Here’s How to Prepare

Getting ready for moving day can be scary if you don’t have a plan of action. It seems like there are a hundred things you need to manage and prepare for. You don’t want anything to go missing or be damaged. You don’t want things to be more complicated than they need to be. You’ve got to get the utilities and internet set up in the new place and cancel everything to the old place. You’ve got to update your address with all your accounts… the list goes on and on.

The following will explore some of the things you can do to better prepare yourself for moving. The goal is to have the process be as smooth as possible so that you can enjoy the excitement of a new adventure in a new home.

Come Up With A Pets Plan

If you have pets, you might need to develop an action plan for how they’re going to move. Perhaps you want them to stay at a friend’s house on the big day so that you can get everything done without having to worry that the dog is going to run away if the door is left open because you’re carrying things outside. Perhaps you want to use a kennel service.

It might also be a good idea to pack your pet essentials (food, dishes, leash, and bed) in an easy-to-find spot so that as soon as your furry friend gets to the new place, you can make sure his or her needs are met. Bringing a pet’s bed can help them feel a bit more comfortable in the new home.

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Talk To Children About Moving In Advance

Children aren’t that different from us adults. They need time to adjust to changes, especially to the idea of living in a new place. If you tell your kids about the move in advance, you’ll give them the time they need to process their emotions and make the proper goodbyes they need to. Ensure that you’re taking the time to help your kids see their friends and favorite places before they go. Keep yourself available to talk as they might need to vent their frustrations or share their worries.

Understand The Costs

You’ve probably thought about the cost of rent or your mortgage and the price of other bills in your new abode. But moving can include additional expenses, and you need to make yourself aware of them ahead of time so that there aren’t any unsettling surprises. We’ve already talked about the possibility of a kennel—you might also want a baby-sitter, a storage unit (or two), and/or a professional moving team to help you. You’ll also want to note the gas money, coffee stops, and meals you’ll probably purchase before the fridge in the new place is stocked, and the pots and pans are unpacked.

When it comes to hiring professional moving companies, you’ll want to ask about all their charges upfront and get an accurate estimate of expenses. You can do additional things to help lower the cost of using a professional moving team, including making sure everything is packed and ready to go the moment they show up and planning the date of your move for a less popular day during the week or a less popular season. More information on how to save money when using a moving company can be found here. If you live in an apartment with an elevator, you can reach out to your landlord or property manager to ask about booking the elevator for an hour or two. You can also give other tenants a heads up that you’ll be occupying the elevator and making a bit of noise.

Minimize Your Belongings

The packing process can be emotionally draining, to say the least. It can be tempting to throw everything into a box and deal with it in the next home. This isn’t ideal. Begin packing well in advance of your move to give yourself time to sort through your possessions. Some things can be thrown out, and some can be donated. Having less to move makes the day easier on you in a practical sense. But also, having only the things you cherish and love in the new place can set you off on the right emotional tone in your new home.

The above information should be enough to get your move off to a good start. Make sure that when you pack, you keep all the items you’ll need for the first few days in the new place (medications, toothbrushes, cell phone chargers, clothes, and hygiene products) in a separate bin. This way you won’t have to unpack everything the moment you get to the new place.