When you’re faced with having to move, you must think ahead. Either way, you don’t want to deal with the anxiety of not being fully prepared on moving day. Stay organized and plan with this convenient moving checklist.
It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to another state or down the road; this checklist can make the weeks before your scheduled move go according to plan.
Eight Weeks
Do this two months before your move:
- Declutter Your Home. If you’re just moving stuff in your home from one place to another, you’re not doing it right. About two months before, begin removing clutter completely. Go through each room and inspect your belongings one by one. When you find anything you forgot about or haven’t used in at least a year or more, put it into a pile to throw away or donate. You also want to do the same with decorations, memorabilia, all clothing, and kitchen items.
- Create a Moving Binder. This is an excellent place to keep information when researching moving companies. Ask for estimates in writing from companies with U.S. Department of Transportation numbers. You want legitimate, licensed movers. Also, depending on where you’re going and why, you may claim some deductions when tax time comes. Use this binder for all the receipts and essential paperwork you may need.
- Create a Budget. Planning your costs and how much you have to spend is a vital part of any move planning process. It will also help you reduce money spent on surprises when it’s all done. Be sure to include extra services you choose, including packing assistance. Add supplies, insurance for your belongings, and anything extra to move pets.
Six Weeks
When your move gets closer, cross these to-do items off your moving checklist:
- Purchase Supplies. When choosing a moving company, ask which supplies they offer and what you’ll need to purchase yourself. This includes packing peanuts, boxes, tape, labels, and more.
- Clean Out the Refrigerator. Find ways to eat as much leftover food as possible before the move. It doesn’t make sense to move food items. Discard anything you don’t eat or give away.
- Get Educated About the Schools. If your kids go to school, take some time now to learn about the educational options in the area. Plan a time to visit, even remotely, to determine which one your kids will attend. Get them involved in the process!
Four Weeks
Keep the momentum going and ensure a smoother move by:
- Hiring Movers. Now is a good time to hire your moving team. Be sure to educate yourself about the difference and similarities between local and long-distance movers. Learning how to prepare for a moving company is easier if you do this ahead of time. Then decide which is best for you.
- Donating Non-Perishable Food Items. Look in your pantry and discard any canned goods you don’t want to eat before the move. Get them to a food kitchen or friend in need rather than throw them away.
- Getting a Storage Unit. If you’re going to store your belongings, now is the time to do it. This also prepares you for your move. It gives you a better grip on what you can afford to move and what you want to store.
Two Weeks
In the home stretch, these important things need to get done when preparing to leave your old home and move into a new one:
- Begin Packing. Now is when you want to start packing items you don’t use every day. The best way to do this? Begin with a guest room or the garage, then work your way through the whole house. The sooner you do this, the less you’ll have to do at the last minute. For help, check out our blog on how to pack a house for moving checklist.
- Alert the Post Office, Banks, and Other Services. Let your electric, gas, and cable companies know about your move. Then open up a new banking account in your new area, if needed, before you close the old one. Also, get your mail forwarded. These things take some effort, so get them done in advance.
- Notify Necessary Parties. Don’t forget to notify important contacts, such as family members, friends, and employers of your upcoming change in address and contact information. You don’t want to surprise your contacts by being out of state when they need you.
- Reconfirm Your Moving Date: A couple of days before the movers are scheduled to arrive is a good time to double-check on details such as pick-up time/location and arrival date/time at your new home. This way, if anything changes or needs to be adjusted, there’s still enough time before moving day arrives.
4 Must-Do’s Before Moving In
So, you’ve prepped your move, found the perfect place, and are ready to move in. Your moving across-country checklist should also include some things to do before moving into your home.
There’s a lot of work that needs to be done before you can begin the process of unpacking and settling into your new home. To make sure everything runs smoothly and that you don’t forget any important steps, here are four things you should add to your moving checklist before moving in.
Research
Part of your moving out of state checklist should be researching your new city and neighborhood. Take some time to get familiar with the area surrounding your new home. Look up local restaurants and attractions and learn about the history of the area. This will help you feel more connected to your new community and give you some great ideas for activities when you first move in.
Take Care of Your Utilities
Make sure all utilities are set up properly before you move in! This is a very important part of your checklist for moving.
Contact your utility company and schedule a connection appointment so that power and water will be available on the day that you move in. If necessary, contact Internet service providers to get high-speed internet access installed at your new location.
Take an Inventory of Your Things
Part of your checklist for moving out of state should be to create an inventory list of all of your belongings so that nothing gets misplaced during the moving process. This will also help if anything gets damaged during transit; having a list of items makes filing any insurance claims much easier (and faster).
Plan Your Unpacking in Advance
Your moving across country checklist should include a plan of where each item goes ahead of time so that unpacking is easier once everything arrives at its destination.
Taking this extra step will save both time and energy when it comes to moving in; just unpack boxes according to the plan and enjoy settling into your new home!
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A Perfect Move
It doesn’t matter how far you’re moving or how much you own. A moving checklist makes it easier. By following these tips, you’ll stay sane, accomplish each item as it comes, and feel at home faster than you thought possible. Plus, you’ll reduce the amount of stress that comes with moving. Check out more tips for how to properly prepare for moving day on our helpful blog page.
Whether you’re looking at a short move or preparing to move out of state, call Colonial Van Lines! We’re your complete full-service moving provider. It’s our pleasure to provide Colonial Cubes and free, professional quotes that help get you to your new home feeling good about the experience.
