Whether you are moving out of a home or an apartment, moving somewhere local or to another state, a Moving Checklist is an essential tool for planning and peace of mind. It’s no small task packing your things and keeping the whole process organized. You may not be able to move mountains, but you can plan a coordinated move with a little help from this step-by-step timeline. For example, will you be able to transport any of your stuff in your car or rental truck, or will you be leaving everything to the professionals, such as East Coast West Coast Express? What’s the maximum amount of money you can spend on the movement? Do you have any family members or friends who could help during relocation? The first thing is to stay stuck with the big plans, so you don’t get bogged down in the nitty-gritty details of the move.
Take inventory of your belongings
Your out-of-state move’s going to be expensive, and you’ll want to minimize the number of items you would like to keep and maximize the must-have’ items like your kitchen set.
The functional approach for this step is to try to purge or donate things you wouldn’t need in your new home. It might even save you a bit of money along the way.
Create a moving binder
As soon as you decide to move, take measures to make the process easier. One such way is creating a moving binder, which is a binder filled with organizational materials related to your relocation. Having such a binder will make moving less stressful because all of the information you need will be right at your fingertips.
You’ll also be better prepared for the big move since you’ll have detailed checklists that walk you through the necessary tasks you need to complete months, weeks, and days out from your moving day.
And putting together a moving binder can be a surprisingly fun and even therapeutic project if you enjoy organization!
Do a change of address
Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online. But it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
Ask your movers the right questions
To avoid moving scams and rogue movers, make sure to ask whether the moving company is appropriately licensed. Be sure to ask the moving company whether or not they have ample experience handling your specific type of move. Professional movers should be well-prepared to handle anything coming their way, parking restrictions, steep stairs, no elevators and small doorways. If your items will be stored for a specific period, you need to make sure the facilities will be safe and the conditions appropriate. Probably the most important questions to ask before hiring a moving company are related to the final price of your move. Knowing the price of your relocation will help you reduce the financial burden and move into your new home in triumph.
More than anything, the key to a happy long distance move is planning, doing your research, and not letting moving stress get the best of you!
