Moving? How to get ahead and avoid last-minute stress.

Moving to a new home is an exciting opportunity, and it’s one that will set you up to enjoy the life you deserve. However, the actual process of moving is typically fraught with frustration, and it’s easy to fall behind schedule quickly. Fortunately, some careful planning can go a long way. Here are a few tips to make your move a bit easier and less time-consuming.

Start by Decluttering

If your current home is on the market, appropriate staging is important for landing a sale as quickly as possible, and decluttering is an essential part of the staging process. Even if your home isn’t on the market, a bit of decluttering can make the rest of the moving process far simpler. Consider both what you need now and what you’ll want when you move. If you plan on buying new furniture for your new home, it might be wise to sell large items early on to ease the moving process.

Create Your Checklist

Once you’ve decided that you’ll be moving, immediately start working on your moving checklist, and incorporate your timeline into your checklist from the beginning. What sort of timeline are you working with? If you only have a week to move, you’ll need to get started right away. If you have a couple of months, you can take a slower pace. Note that you’ll almost certainly find yourself crunched for time, so waiting to the last minute can lead to substantial headaches. Getting ahead of the curve is essential, so make sure your checklist and timeline reflect this

Collect Boxes Early

There are ways to save money on boxes by asking for them at your local grocery store or other businesses, but these techniques take time and aren’t reliable. By starting to collect boxes early on, you can cut back on a last-minute rush to ensure everything is ready for the moving truck. Even if you can find free boxes, you’ll likely need to invest in some new boxes anyway, particularly if you have large or heavy items. By working to get ahead of the curve, you can ensure you’re never short on boxes when packing.

Pack Every Day

If possible, set aside some time every day to do a bit of packing. By setting aside a half an hour or an hour each evening, you can lessen the burden of moving when your move date approaches. You can also use this time for other tasks. If you’re physically tired after a busy day, consider using this time to send notices about your move to utility companies and others in preparation. Note, however, that every hour your spend preparing for your move is one less hour you’ll need to spend when crunch time comes.

Reuse Household Items for Packing

Are you moving a hamper or two? If so, consider using them for clothes storage. Similarly, leaving your suitcases unpacked is a waste of space. Suitcases, in particular, are great for storing items you might need while you’re on the road to your new home, especially if it’s a long distance away.

Focus on Labeling

Whether you’re moving by yourself or are planning on hiring movers, knowing where each box needs to go can save a significant amount of time once you arrive. Consider using the classic technique of color-coding your boxes by room. Labeling the contents can be useful as well, especially if you’ll need to unbox certain items first.

Use the Right Box Sizes

Ideal packing involves ensuring your boxes aren’t too heavy. Packing too many heavy items in a single box can make it difficult to lift, and it can even cause the box to tear while it’s en route. Focus on splitting heavy items between multiple boxes. Furthermore, try to fill in any gaps in your boxes. Using packaging peanuts or even just crumpled paper can help protect your items while they’re en route, preventing unnecessary wear and breakage.

Bundle Breakable Items

Breakable items require extra care and substantial packaging to ensure they arrive safely. By bundling breakable items together, you can ensure everything is packed as safely as possible and that you have ample padding for the contents. Note that it’s important to label boxes with breakable items, especially if you hire movers. A bit of extra care can ensure your items arrive intact.

Your move will be less stressful and go quicker when you plan ahead. A packaging checklist is a great place to start planning your move. Working with a professional moving company can also simplify the process. Whether your move is down the street or across town, MoveStar is ready to help you jumpstart the moving process. Contact us for assistance and guidance at any stage of your move. Our host of moving supplies and services will get your items safely and quickly to your new home.