Preparing to Move
Start Early - Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your move. 6 months to 1 year before your move is the best time to start the process. If you don’t have that much time, don’t be discouraged, it’s never too late to begin.
Create a Timeline - A timeline will help you plan and prepare for your move regardless of when and how far away you are moving. Start with your move date and work backward to set a schedule for getting everything done in time. Also, create a detailed checklist of things to complete including canceling and transferring utilities & services and making all the necessary address changes.
Downsizing - If you are moving into a smaller space, it is essential to downsize your belongings. A floor plan can help determine which furniture pieces will fit in your new home. Additionally, sorting through your kitchen, bathroom, and closets can greatly impact your move's success. As you are editing your things, consider your new space as well as your current & future lifestyle. Focus on what you use, need, love, AND most importantly, what will fit in your new home. Considering the storage and cabinet space in your new kitchen and bathrooms can be especially helpful as you sort through your things. You can even measure how many feet of hanging clothing your new closets will accommodate.
Packing - To ensure your items are safely moved to your new home, it’s important to use appropriate size boxes for your belongings. Books, glassware, canned goods, and other small, heavy items should be packed into a 1.5 cubic foot box. Small appliances and larger items can be packed into a medium 3.0 box. Large 5.0 cubic foot boxes are great for bedding, linens, pillows, and towels. Avoid using trash bags, open-top boxes, and newspapers for packing. As you pack, consider where items will go in your new home. Boxes should be labeled with the room in which they will be unpacked and a few details of the contents. You will want to be able to quickly identify which boxes contain your coffee pot or other essential items to be able to open right away and save the decor for unpacking later.
Moving Day - A well-thought-out plan and thorough preparation can contribute to a smooth move day. Identify a box or suitcase of essentials for your first night in your new home. This should include items you would typically pack as if you were staying in a hotel. You’ll also want quick access to a set of clean sheets for your bed. If you’ve hired a reputable moving company to do the heavy lifting, still be available for questions as they arise. Share your floor plan with the movers or plan to direct them on furniture placement in your new space. Remember to take breaks throughout the day and take care of your needs.
Unpacking & Set up - The kitchen is often one of the most used rooms of a home and should therefore be one of the first rooms to unpack and set up. You will inevitably find items you don’t need or want as you unpack boxes. Be prepared to donate, recycle, or discard these things, as appropriate. Give yourself plenty of time to unpack and settle into your new home.
Tip - Consider hiring professionals to help with packing, moving, and unpacking. Research suggestions from friends and family to help you find the best fit for your needs. The community where you are moving might also have referral options for you to consider.
Author: Kari Stremmel is a Team Lead for Smart Moves. She lives in Southeast Wisconsin, is married, and has 2 young adult children. In the past 25 years, Kari and her family have moved 7 times, 5 of which were cross-country moves.