Are you going to move to a new location in the near future? Getting everything in order can be quite the task. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what you need to do first. Fortunately, things can be a lot easier with a clear and organized plan. Here’s an outline you can follow to make sure everything works out smoothly.
- Take the Measurements and Inventory of Your Big Furniture
It’s smart to make note of the big furniture in your home and take the measurements of each piece. This includes furniture like the dining table, sofas, and the dresser. The reason why is because you want to make sure that your big furniture can fit through the door of your new place.
The next natural thing to do is to take the measurements of the doors to your new place. If there’s no way to get your furniture in through the door, you want to see if you can disassemble the furniture. Contact the manufacturer for instructions on what can be done with the specific piece you’re working with.
- Set a Budget for the Move
Before you hire a moving company, you want to set a budget for your move. On average, the cost of a long-distance move can run you $5,000 while a local move can cost about $1,000. The costs will be determined by various factors such as the distance, number of hours, and freight of your belongings. Also determine if you’re willing to pay for them to help with packing and assembly.
- Research and Contact Moving Companies
The next step is to look for movers in your area. Look for company profiles online and do some research. Make sure that the company is bonded, licensed, and insured. Read their business listings online and read customer reviews to verify that people have had a great experience doing business with them. See if they can help you with your specific situation such as a long-distance move or moving out a big piece of equipment like a piano.
- Ask Company the Right Questions and Get a Quote
If you have a few prospects in mind, you want to call them and ask each moving company a few questions. Ask about their liability coverage. Ask about cancellation and rescheduling policies. Ask how they would handle special items like large-screen LCD TVs. See if the companies would be willing to provide references.
And of course, you want to get a quote from each company to set the best rates. See if the quote is binding so that they deliver on their rates. Just take note that it’s not always about pricing. At the end of the day, you want to get the best service to protect your belongings during the move and get other services you may need.
- Consider Special Services
Some movers will offer special services. For example, they can pack and unpack your belongings for you. They can also offer storage services if you have belongings you don’t know what to do with. Think about what service you would need. Having the movers take care of the unpacking can reduce a lot of the unnecessary stress that comes with moving.
- Set Up the Schedule and Get Packing
After you’ve chosen your company, you want to set up the schedule and start packing non-essentials as soon as possible. This will make it easier to pack the few days before you’ve scheduled for the move. You won’t have to try to pack everything at once.
If you’re planning a long-distance move, create an itinerary if it’s going to take more than a day to get to the destination. Plan your routes and set clear schedules so that your drive goes as smoothly as possible.
- Make the Necessary Preparations
There are some necessary things you need to do after everything is scheduled and agreed upon. Here is a quick list:
– Forward your mail to your new address. Update your address with important companies, organizations, and subscriptions.
– Have your friends and family come in to help clean your old home as the landlord may charge you a cleaning fee.
– Collect your deposit from your landlord. If there are any damages to the property, it will probably be a good idea to fix things up yourself instead of getting your deposit deducted based on the landlord’s repair rates.
– Have a separate bag you can carry for essentials like food, water, cash, medication, extra clothing, etc.
– Run last-minute errands like picking up medication, cleaning out gym lockers, and other miscellaneous tasks.
– Think of anything else that you may need to do before you move for your particular situation and make a list!
This is a general rundown of what should be included in your plan. Hopefully, you have a better idea of how to execute your upcoming move.
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