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August 3rd, 2018

How To Plan A Long Distance Move

Moving your home can be one of the most daunting exercises, leave alone taking a lot of time, when not carefully planned. However, contrary to what most people believe, this process doesn’t have to be a laborious task that leaves you all worn out. With proper planning and preparation, packing and moving your household items will actually be an enjoyable process. So what are some of the things that you can do beforehand to help you stay organized and stress-free on your moving day? To help you, here are the tips on how to plan ahead before moving day.

Determine how much time you have before your moving day

The first step towards planning your move is determining how much time you have left. After you have determined this, you can now start planning more carefully. You can designate a notebook from your regular agenda where you will write down your To Do List for the moving day and anything else that needs to be noted down.

Consider the distance you will be moving

Considering the distance you want to move will help you determine whether you will be able to do the move yourself or need professional help. Moving across town is something many people can do on their own using a rented truck. However, if you are moving interstate, you may consider doing a research for quality removalists as soon as possible.

Calculate all your moving costs

Whether you will do the whole move yourself or use a removalist company, there are expenses that will come up on the way. This is why it is important to calculate all your moving costs and add up your total estimate to make a budget for your move. It is advisable to make sure that everything is in writing and all receipts are kept well. This will provide you with written confirmations in case your employer is assisting you to cover part of the moving costs.

Change Your Address before You move

Before you move, ensure that you have updated your home address with all the companies that send you bills. These include your insurance companies, motor vehicle company, your doctor, and also with all your family members and friends. Ensure that you have set up address changes through your postal service and afterwards forwarded mails to all these people at least one month before the move.

Ask your friends and family in advance for help

Having your friends on the moving day can really boost the manpower needed. Whether it is packing, lifting furniture, or unpacking and arranging items, your friends will be of great help to you during that day. However, you should inform them early enough so that they can arrange to be off work on that day. Don’t forget to arrange how you will provide them with an incentive like beer or pizza to show gratitude for their help.

Begin using up your food.

If you still have more time before your moving day, you should run through the usable foods in your pantry and freezer. In case there is not much time, just give away what you can. You should also consider investigating whether there are rules governing the carrying and acceptance of items like alcohol if you were thinking of taking your special wine cellar with you.

Allow some overlap for organizing any cleaning or repairs

If the residence you are moving in need to be cleaned or repaired before you settle in it, you should plan overlapping time to complete these tasks. If you must also clean and repair your current home, remember to plan that time as well. This is simply because cleaning is usually done easier and effectively in an empty house. A time overlap will also help you in case there is a delay in closing on the purchase of a home.

Conclusion

Although it is best to start earlier, even if you have very limited time, spending a few minutes planning and organizing your move can really help you make the best use of your time during the move. You certainly can’t expect to plan and do everything you want in one day. By following these tips, you will be on your way to having a very successful and smooth home move.