Did you know that 43 million Americans move each year? This is over 15% of the country’s entire population. It’s not an exaggeration to say that many people need moving help. Surprisingly, considering how often people are moving, many remain unaware of key tips that can help make the process a lot easier. Are you planning a move within the next several months? Here are several things you should keep in mind.
Your Organizational Moving Checklist
- It’s time to declutter your home. On Zillow, DeAnna Radaj advises asking three simple questions: “Do I love it? Do I use it? Do I need it?” If you can’t answer “yes” to at least two questions, it’s time to donate or sell the item. You’ll thank yourself when there’s 15 less boxes of stuff you need to move.
- Organize items by room, and label the outside of each box with a few key details about what’s inside. It’ll make unpacking later a lot less confusing.
- Use equal-sized boxes rather than the free ones you get from the grocery store. It’s a lot harder to stack uneven boxes and they can sometimes be more fragile. If you have trouble fitting things in your moving van, it’s easier for things to crash and break during the move.
Finding the Right Professional Movers
- Research your options. Nowadays, most moving businesses have reviews posted by former customers. If a company has one star ratings by multiple people, that might be a clue that the deal isn’t as good as it may seem. The Better Business Bureau also keeps tabs of consumer complaints.
- Professional moving services should be contacted as soon as you know you’re moving. If you leave off calling around until the last week, you’re going to get higher prices, and less choice when it comes to available services.
- How flexible is your window for leaving? Planning your move during a less busy time can help you cut the cost of moving. Summer and weekends tend to be busier periods where estimates from professional movers are less flexible.
What You Should Do Before You Move to Ease the Transition
- Double check that you’ve shut or transferred any accounts or information. Kids’ school records and pets’ vet records need to be collected, and your heating company needs to know that you’ll no longer be living there and paying the bill.
- Make a list of things you’d like to check out in your new city. Sometimes the hardest part of moving comes from the feeling of being uprooted. Keeping yourself busy with minimize that stress.
- Get rid of your truly old furniture and make way for new pieces. Why organize your living room in the same way you always did? It’s time for a fresh start.
Do you have any moving tips, or experience hiring professional movers? Let us know in the comments. Links like this.