So much goes into coordinating a move from one residence to the next that it is easy to forget some critical thing that you need to do. Even if you have a checklist and you think you have everything covered, there are things that slip through the cracks, or things that you would never even consider to do. There are important things to know and do during a move that are critical, and that you should consider as soon as you know you are moving to a new residence.
Always Research Moving Company Options
The most important thing to do before hiring a moving company is to do substantial research and hire a professional well before your move-out date. As you get closer to your moving date, your options severely dwindle, which creates a nightmare: you will have to choose whatever company is available regardless of the business’s reputation or their cost, which increases if you need them ASAP. Furthermore, the exact day and time that you need to move might not be available if you until the last minute.
Therefore, check reviews and get moving bids as soon as you know your move-out date. Most moving companies charge by the hour, so when looking through reviews, pay particular attention to the speed of your movers. Also, look through the reviews to see if a moving company adds unexpected additional charges for stairs, heavy and bulky furniture, and extended distances from the parking area to your old or new residence. Sometimes, the cheapest quote does not mean the cheapest cost in the end. Try to find a flat-fee company that assures no additional fees. If you are in the Los Angeles area, Royal Moving offers all-inclusive pricing that covers everything, which is rare these days.
Choose Your Moving Date Wisely
Moving costs often change, depending on the time of year, the day of the week, and the time of the day. Moving company rates are lowest between September and May because there is less demand, so it is smart to move to a new residence during the fall and winter. This can reduce your moving costs by up to 30 percent. In addition, a move during the middle of the week usually costs less than moves on Fridays and on the weekend, where there is more demand.
Also, if you are paying for your move by the hour, plan your move in the middle of the day, and not during morning or afternoon rush, in order to avoid heavy traffic, which will escalate prices because the move will take longer. Finally, a mid-month move could save you money as well because moving companies see fewer customers in the middle of the month, as most people move at the beginning or end of a month.
Saving Money and Time by Renting Moving Containers
Whether you hire a moving company or do the move yourself, you are going to need an assortment of packing containers. Typically, you will need 20-35 boxes for a one-bedroom house, and 10-15 more boxes for each additional bedroom in your residence. You can find free boxes at local businesses like liquor stores and grocery stores, or online at places like Freecycle and Craigslist. Begin acquiring boxes several weeks before your move to ensure that you have enough boxes for all of your belongings.
Although, a smarter alternative is to rent plastic containers made specifically for moving. Free cardboard boxes become expensive boxes if they fall apart and you damage your belongings. Cardboard boxes fall apart and crush easily, and collecting 30-50 boxes does require time and money to collect them.
An economical way to get moving containers is to rent plastic moving boxes from Royal Moving. Doing so saves time and money, and reduces anxiety because these hefty containers do not fall apart or crush. They are also waterproof, which helps protect your possessions if it is raining on your moving day.
This approach to moving containers is affordable, and Royal delivers the boxes, along with other moving supplies to your door before the move. Then, Royal picks up the containers once you have moved and unpacked the containers. If you use this method, there is no need to hunt for boxes, or buy and build them, and buying tape is not required because the boxes have locking lids. Furthermore, the containers stack neatly without collapsing, so they take up less space on the moving truck.
Downsize Before Your Move to Save and Make Money
Downsizing before you move is good idea. In other words, sell the things you rarely use, or give them to charity, before you move, so that you are not packing, moving, and unpacking these items. Plan a garage sale, have a virtual yard sale on Craigslist or other online store, or bring your lightly used items to a consignment store.
It takes time and additional money to move those items you never use or no longer need, and it takes up space in your new home. In addition, it is possible that you can make enough money through those sales to pay for your move, or buy a new piece of furniture for your new home. Get rid of your seldom-used item now, because it easier to downsize when you are in the process of moving than at any other time.
Adequately Label Your Containers
Most people forget to label their containers when they move, and they regret that decision later. Start packing your moving boxes a few weeks before your move, and begin with your belongings in storage and your off-season clothes, before moving to your ‘infrequently” used possessions that might be in your spare room, guest bedroom, or garage. Then, in the final days before your move, pack those things you use the most.
While packing your belongings, take pictures of the inside of a completely packed box before you secure it shut, and use color-coded labels with a specific color assigned to each separate room, and a space on the label to write in more specific details regarding the items in the box. Thereby, you and your movers know exactly which room the container goes into with zero difficult, you know which boxes to open first for immediate use, and which containers you can open later, as needed.
Don’t Forget About Your Kids
It might sound crazy to “forget about” your kids because they are always your number one priority. Your children might even be the reason why you are moving in the first place. You might want to give them more space because they are outgrowing your current home, or you are looking for a better school district to improve their education. However, kids can get a little lost in the shuffle while planning your move.
When you find a new residence, and begin to plan your move, start with your children’s concerns first. It is important for them to continue their daily routine as much as possible, from the day you decide to move, until the move is complete, and beyond. Maintaining their daily rituals reduce your kids’ anxiety and ensures them that nothing will change except their address. Tensions run high during a move, and it can land on your children because they begin to feel like their world is falling apart. Protect their emotions and their mental health.
In addition, visit your child’s new school, register them, and make sure you have their required immunity records, documented medical needs, or education modifications. You might have childcare considerations to consider as well, for afterschool or all day. Will you need to find a new daycare center or hire a nanny? To find the right fit for you and your child, a lot of research is required to find the best option, and space is often limited in the very best childcare centers, so a waiting list is required. So, plan these things in advance of your move to get the best results for the littlest members of the household.
Don’t Forget About Your Pets
We often think of pets as being super adaptable, so they often go unnoticed during a move. This is especially true if you are busy reducing your child’s anxiety or your own immediate stresses. However, your pets feel the tension as well, and they may need some extra lover or even some prescribe medication to get them through the move unscathed.
Talk to your veterinarian about any measures that you might need to take to assure that your pet’s emotional health remains intact during the transition. In addition, make sure that you get their immunization records because a new veterinarian will need them.
During the move, board your pet in a kennel or have a trusted friend or family member watch them, so they are out of the way and happy while you negotiate all aspects of moving day. Finally, your pet is going to experience some instability until they adjust to the new home, so have their favorite toys and their bed immediately available, which will provide familiar things to reduce their stress in their new environment.
Always Pack an “Essentials” Box
You will need an “essentials box”, which is a box one of the last boxes you pack. Label the box as “essential” and is it should be easy to find when you are ready to settle into your first night at your new residence. This survival container should include a change of clothes for each member of your family; power cables, chargers, and remotes for your electronic devices; toiletries, including a towel, shower curtain, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and shampoo; sheets and pillows; and if you use an alarm clock other than your phone’s alarm, it should go in this box as well.
The essentials box should also include eating utensils and plates, and you might consider exposable options like plastic ware, paper plates, and paper towels, so you do not have to do dishes right away. In addition, include cleaning wipes and garbage bags. You might need a few tools like screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, and pliers to assemble things or for an emergency issue. Furthermore, you will probably want to include a few snacks and food items for the evening and next morning, and prescription and over-the-counter medication.
Notify People and Companies About Your Move
Several very important institutions need to know your new address. Car insurance rates vary depending on your neighborhood, so your insurance company needs to know your new residence. Also, inform your bank and phone carrier of your new address. In addition, in order to receive your mail at your new residence, you have to notify the United States Postal Service, which requires you to fill out a change of address form. Also, you have to get your address changed on your driver’s license and vehicle registration or you can be fined if you are stopped by law enforcement for any reason.
Remember to cancel your gym and social club memberships if they are no longer conveniently located near your new home because recurring charges might go unnoticed through infinity if you are not diligent. Finally, transfer your auto-fill prescriptions to a pharmacy closer to your new residence.
Make your New House a “Home”
To make your new house feel like home, as a family, get a new piece of furniture to signify the transition, or plant a tree or flowers in your yard together. Meet your neighbors, as many as possible, and ask them about their favorite grocery stores and restaurants, as well as about nearby physicians and schools, and their kids if they have them. Find your “new” favorite restaurant by visiting a few places in your new area during the first week, and find the neighborhood parks. These things will reduce anxiety for you and your family and begin to make your new house feel like home.
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