Getting Ready to Move? Do These 3 Things First!

Are you getting ready to move? A bit nervous to get started? Relocating can be overwhelming. You’re juggling a variety of tasks and may feel like they’re quickly piling up. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure where to start. We’re here to help. As moving experts, we’ve identified the top three things to do when getting ready to move.

Make a Plan.

As professional movers, we often get asked, “How can I make moving less stressful?” Our answer: Make a plan. This might seem obvious, but without a well thought out plan, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed and may forget key components of your move. If you take time to develop a moving plan, you’ll feel calm and confident as you navigate the seemingly endless number of tasks included in a relocation. We suggest including:

• Timeline – When do you want to move? Is there a certain date you need to be out of your current home or into your new one? Understanding your timeframe will help you backfill important milestones and be the driving factor for many tasks.
• Budget – What is your overall moving budget? Knowing this number will help you choose a mover, decide what services to include in your move and stay on track. This number should not only include moving, but travel and temporary housing expenses, as well.
• Checklist – There are many small, but important, tasks that must be remembered when moving. Things like forwarding your mail, disconnecting utilities, forwarding medical records and notifying financial institutions are easily overlooked. Larger tasks, like selling your home, hiring a professional mover and packing your home, require longer lead times. Keeping a checklist will not only help you remember what to do, it will track your progress so you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you are getting closer to the goal!

Hire a Professional Moving Company.

Begin looking for a professional moving company as soon as you find out you are moving. A few reasons we recommend completing this early is because you can:

• Avoid Delays – Reputable, quality moving companies sometimes max out capacity during peak moving months (May – September), so you want to get on the books as soon as possible to avoid any potential setbacks or delays. Even if you are moving outside peak season, more notice is always better.
• Ask Questions – This is the time to get your move questions answered. Reference our mover Interview Guide for questions you should ask before picking a moving company. As you create your move plan, don’t be afraid to leverage the knowledge of professionals for advice and tips.
• Understand Pricing – The price of your move depends entirely on the type of move, the distance you’re moving, the quantity of household belongings you have and what additional services you may need. Getting a free in-home or virtual estimate will help you manage your moving budget as this portion will likely be the biggest cost.
• Get Multiple Quotes – Having time on your side means you can shop around to find the right mover, and one that fits within your budget. Take this opportunity to get multiple quotes and have an expert at Daryl Flood Relocation help you review them. Print our Mover Comparison Chart to list what each mover offers and ensure you’re comparing apples to apples.

Schedule Early – Once you have chosen a mover, go ahead and schedule the move to secure your move dates in advance. This will be a huge accomplishment in your move plan and allow you to focus your efforts elsewhere.

Start Packing, Now!

Packing often seems to go on forever. Depending on the size of your home, it could take several days or even weeks to sort through what to keep, what to donate and what to throw away. That’s why we recommend starting the packing process as soon you decide you’re moving. Keep in mind, there is no wrong order to pack your things, as everyone’s needs are different. These are the most popular questions we get about how to pack:

• What should I pack first? Start with items you don’t use weekly, or even daily, like décor, off-season clothing, picture frames, books, etc. You can start packing guest room bedding, electronics and holiday decorations.
• What should I pack last? We recommend you save essential items you use daily to pack last. This includes items in your kitchen, clothes, toiletries, medications, paperwork, etc. Pack a suitcase as if you’re going on vacation and include enough clothes and essential items to cover the time between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Don’t forget to do this for every member of your family, including pets! This way, everyone has exactly what they need. We also recommend packing a box or plastic bin with disposable plates, cutlery, cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper and anything else you may need immediately upon moving in for use until your goods are unpacked.
• What should I keep with me when moving? Keep all medications, personal and legal documents, chargers for electronics, laptops, wallets and anything deemed valuable or personal that would not be easily replaced in your possession when moving.
• How soon before moving should I pack? As soon as possible. Aim to do a little bit each day leading up to your move date. This way, you won’t get too overwhelmed.

For more packing tips, refer to our helpful resources: Items Not To Pack and How To Pack Videos.

We wish we could take away all the stress that comes with moving but, unfortunately, we can’t. We can, however, provide a full suite of dependable moving services that ease the burden and provide peace of mind that your belongings are taken care of. Give us a call today at 1-844-350-4284 to speak with one of our move experts.