Moving can be a stressful time in anyone's life, and often it can feel as though things get out of control. There are so many factors that go into moving your belongings from one place to another. Luckily, there are some simple tips you can follow that can make your move easy, efficient, and safe.
1. Make a plan and stick to it!
Planning out as many aspects of your move as possible can help things go more smoothly. There are many things to plan, but tackling the easiest things first will bring the most results. First, determine your absolute deadline for moving out – this may be when your lease term ends, when your moving service shows up, or something else. After doing that, work backwards to plan key dates, such as when your utilities need to be switched, when your change of address will be submitted, and so on. Finally, ensure that you have the packing materials you need as early as possible, so that you don't have to scramble at the last second to finish packing your belongings.
2. Downsize when you have the chance.
Packing your belongings is a great time to identify anything you may no longer need, or that might be broken or unusable. Take this opportunity to sort through your things and discard anything you won't need at your new home. This can result in a significant savings in both time and moving cost, as you won't be transporting or storing anything extra. You may even have enough items to host a garage sale, making the cost of moving even less!
3. Label everything and mark the essentials.
While you're unpacking from the move, you still need to live at your new home. Ensure that every box you pack is labeled with the room it goes in, an overview of the contents, and whether or not the items are fragile. Pack some things, like clothing, linens, cooking and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, towels, etc. in a separate box that gets packed last. That way, you'll have what you need for the first few nights while everything else gets unpacked.
4. Gather documents and valuables.
Any personal financial or identity documents should be collected and stored with you as you move. These documents are often useful or required in moving utility service and other home requirements, and can be a hassle to dig out from a moving box. In addition, any valuable items you may have, such as jewelry or artwork, should be carefully packed separately after creating a detailed inventory to ensure that no items are lost. You may consider insurance for those items you deem most valuable, providing further peace of mind during your transition.
5. Get help from an expert.
After following all these tips, you might realize that there are still lots of things to do on moving day. Although you could ask friends or family for help, the assistance of expert professional movers will ensure that your goods aren't damaged, misplaced, or mishandled during your move. A team of professional movers can get your job done in a fraction of the time it would take to do it yourself – and with very little effort on your part.
Virginia Moving and Storage offers packing, unpacking, moving, storage, and many other solutions to make your transition as easy as possible, whether you're moving down the street, across the country, or even internationally. Give VMS a call today or visit our website to get a free quote on your move.