Ensure moving day success with a timeline focused on staying organized

You can organize a successful, stress-free move if you create a timeline of items and tasks to accomplish ahead of moving day. Don’t just face each obstacle as you come to it, or attempt to get everything done at once; break the bulk down into much more manageable tasks. Your move will be more organized and you’ll thank yourself when you come out on the other side.

Two months before moving day

  • Get your records together: Organize and collect all of your medical and educational records into one binder for easy access and safekeeping.
  • Research moving companies: If you plan on using a mover, start to research your options and get quotes.
  • Purge your space: Begin to clear out things that you know you won’t take and donate or trash as necessary. Start a pile for a garage or Craigslist sale.

Six weeks prior

  • Visit your new home if possible: Take measurements of both wall and floor space, and make note of what your closet and cabinet spaces are like. Compare your current furniture to these measurements to help determine what you will keep and what you must part with.
  • Book storage facilities: If you will be in need of storage in your new town, arrange a storage unit ahead of time to be ready when you get there. Your movers will often be able to make two stops for no additional charge if it is within a certain mileage from your new home.
  • Begin collecting supplies: Depending on what your mover will supply, start to visit different stores (like grocery or liquor stores) and collect boxes. Also, begin to keep newspapers and even junk mail to use as packing material.

One month prior

  • Choose your moving company and book with them: Be sure you go over insurance information and alternative plans should inclement weather hit.
  • Begin to use up food and supplies: Your fridge is probably full of food you won’t be able to take with you. Head to sites like Pinterest for creative recipe ideas and start to use it up.
  • Change your address: You can change your address and set the date it will go active on the USPS website, or by filling out the form at a post office.
  • Begin to notify important parties of your change of address: Call your banking, utility, and insurance companies and give them your new information and move in date.

Two weeks prior

  • Solidify travel plans: If driving to your new home, check routes and weather. Make reservations for hotels along the way, and plan any pit stops you’ll need to take to rest.
  • Make your travel kits: Before you start to pack your belongings, set aside what you and your family will need to live comfortably while everything else is packed up. Think clothing, toys, important documents, small but expensive items you’d like to keep on you, and comfort items.
  • Hold a sale: Set aside one Saturday to hold a garage sale and offload some of your bigger items for some much needed cash before your move. If you can’t have a garage sale, try selling some of the items you can’t take along on sites like Craigslist.

One week prior

  • Dismantle what you can: Take apart any big items like outdoor furniture, and take large decorations down in preparation for packing.
  • Start packing: Now’s the time to get out those boxes you’ve been saving! Even if you are having a moving company come help, you can begin to pack boxes on your own. This will cut down the cost of materials needed from them, and make moving day go that much faster.
  • Say goodbye: Especially important if you’re moving with kids, take some time during your final week to say goodbye to your old life. Have a going away party, or visit favorite places one last time.

Moving day

  • Check the walls: Have putty on hand to plug up any nail holes and use something like a Magic Eraser to remove any marks from walls and countertops.
  • Clean: If you are renting, you’ll want to be sure you leave everything as clean as when you moved in to ensure you’ll get your deposit back. Take pictures once everything is out so you have evidence of how you left things.
  • Get cash: You’ll need to tip your moving crew, you might want to grab an impromptu pizza, or you could end up running to the store for last minute supplies. Keep some cash on hand to make everything much easier.

 

Einat Mazafi is the owner of NY Moving, a local and long-distance moving company based in New York. She is also a specialist in providing the best relocation solutions to clients worldwide.