Moving Checklist: 4 Tips to Prepare for your move

Ready to take the leap of moving into your first home or relocating for a job? Moving is exciting, but there?s also a lot to be done. That doesn?t mean you need to feel overwhelmed, though. Instead, use your resources and careful planning to make your move as smooth as possible. One tool you can use to help you get organized is our moving checklist.? With these 4 tips to prepare for your move, you?ll be able to enjoy the process and spend your time more efficiently. Let?s get started!?

Moving Checklist: 4 important tips

1. Figure Out Your Moving Timeline?

First things first, you need to figure out your moving timeline so that you can plan out everything you need to get done. At this point, you most likely have your move-in date set. Based on that date, think about how much time you have between now and then to get everything done. Make sure to factor in work, social obligations, and free time.?

If you have a month or two, you can divide up tasks by week to make your moving to-do?s more manageable. However, if you only have a week or two, you?ll need to be much more aggressive about how much time you dedicate to getting ready for your move.

You also want to factor in the time of year and how weather and other factors may impact your moving timeline. For example, if you?re moving during summer, you?ll want to do most of the labor-intensive tasks in the cooler part of the day, and if you?re moving during winter, you may need to consider adding some wiggle room into your timeline in case of heavy rain or snow.

2. Prepare Moving Checklist should Include Setting a Moving Budget

One thing a lot of people neglect to do is set a moving budget. While you might think it?s a waste of time because you have to spend whatever you need to in order to make your move happen and get situated in your new space, that way of thinking can contribute to a lot more stress and wasted money.?

When creating a moving budget, lay out your impending costs and divide them into essential and non-essential. Some of the most common moving costs include:?

• Purchasing packing and cleaning supplies
• Hiring movers or renting a truck
• Setting up new utilities and paying deposits
• Buying odds and ends for around your new home?

With these costs in mind, you can strive to set the right budget for yourself based on priorities such as saving money or making your move as easy and convenient as possible. For example, you can save significantly by getting help from friends or searching around for deals (like comparing prices for moving companies in San Diego).?

3. Come Up With a Plan for Packing

Packing is going to be the biggest task you?ll need to tackle, especially if you?re on your own. To help you manage your time better, it?s beneficial to come up with a strategic packing plan.?

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

• Pack one room at a time (you could do a room a day, for example)
• Create piles for items that are trash and devote boxes to donations (commit to getting rid of things you don?t use, there?s no sense in bringing unnecessary clutter to your new home)
• Establish a labeling system so you know what?s what (the best labels make it easy to know what?s in the box, where it goes, and if special care is needed)

Note that if you?re getting rid of big items you?ll likely need to schedule a special pickup. Find out what your options are by doing a local search so you can get the best rates. For example, junk removal in Queens will likely vary significantly from company to company and depending on what you need picked up.?

4. Tie Up Loose Ends

Whether you?re moving to a nearby neighborhood or going long distance, there will also be loose ends to tie up when relocating. For example, even if you?re just moving from an apartment in Austin to a house in Jollyville, you?ll likely have to switch providers for your internet, cable, and electric. Call up your provider as soon as you know you?re moving to find out what the next steps are.?

Some other loose ends you?ll need to keep in mind when getting ready to move include:

• Deep cleaning?
• Repairing any holes or damage
• Doing a final walkthrough with your landlord and turning in your keys
• Changing your mailing address with the USPS, bank, etc.

While this isn?t a comprehensive list, these tips will help you get a good start on the moving process.