While advanced planning is important, moving day itself also offers challenges. It’s smart to approach the big day with certain things already done. That’s what the following list focuses on Things to do to make moving day that much easier.
Don’t worry! None of it is that hard. And all of it can make moving day far less stressful.
Pack A Travel Bag
Make sure to separate out clothes you will want for the first 24 to 48 hours at your new home. Most people also include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant and whatever other personal items you use every morning. You will want your laptop and other important electronics, as well as all the associated power cords. Pack them in a small travel bag that you can easily carry in your own car.
First Boxes to Unpack
Another smart move is to pack a couple of boxes and mark them to get unpacked first in your new home. In most cases, you will want two of these “first boxes.” The first is for the kitchen. It should include:
- Cleaning products
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Utensils
- A few cookware items so you don’t have to eat out the first few days – it gets expensive fast!
The other is for the bathroom and the bed. It should include:
- Clean sheets for the bed
- Toilet paper
- Clean towels
- Washcloths
- Hand soap
- Body wash
- Shampoo
- Conditioner and whatever else you use in the shower and bathroom.
Yes, life revolves around the kitchen, bathroom and getting a good night’s sleep! Be prepared to hit the ground running in all three areas.
Arrive Ahead of Movers
This helps in two big ways. The first is that it allows you to choose where you want everything placed and direct the movers accordingly. Being decisive about this will help make the move go smoother and faster.
The other is that if you arrive early enough, it gives you the chance to clean before the movers arrive. This is especially important in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Take Personal Items
No one expects movers to transport their pets. By that same token, you also don’t want them to move certain personal, perishable or precious items. In addition to the items mentioned above for the travel bag, others you’ll want to transport yourself include:
- House plants
- Food
- Jewelry
- Precious photos
- Heirlooms
That said, a company such as Good Greek Moving & Storage has decades of experience moving fragile artwork, pianos and objets d’art. But many people are more comfortable with certain items with them in their car.
Sandwich Bags
A small sandwich bag is perfect to store the different screws, washers and other small parts needed to put back together items such as curtain rods, TV stands or even some furniture. That way, you can easily see what is in the bag.
Take Photos
This is important for two reasons. First, you can take photos of electronic wiring so you can see how to put it all back together again at your new place. Second, if you are renting, you can document the condition of the rental so that you are not charged for damage you did not do. Do the same in your new home to document its condition before you move in.
Defrost the Refrigerator
If you are moving your refrigerator, make sure to defrost it a couple of days before the move and then wipe out any excess water. Needless to say, you will want professional movers if your plans include transporting heavy appliances.
Pack Food
Food on the road is expensive and often unhealthy. Plan ahead by getting just the amount of food you need to last until moving day on your last trip to the grocery store, plus some simple fare to take with you to eat on the road. That will cut down on your costs and your calories.
Practicing these tips can take the stress out of a busy moving day. If you partner with professional movers and plan ahead, your move will go better than you ever dreamed (or had nightmares about!). Being prepared can make your move more of an adventure and less of a frantic, last-minute chore.
