In any homeowner’s mind, moving day is stressful—that’s a fact. You need to prepare and accomplish a lot of things before the big day itself, so if you’re a bit disorganized, you could easily forget to get some (important) things done. If moving out from your current home is in your immediate future, there are many questions you need to answer. Should you handle the move yourself or hire professional local movers? What issues should you watch out for before and during the move? How many packing boxes would you need?
To make your move less stressful, make sure you’ve done everything you need to do in preparation for moving day well before you bid goodbye to your old home.
Things to Do Before the Move
First off, you need to make sure you have enough packing boxes and materials to help you with organizing everything you need to pack and bring with you or dispose of. People usually have more stuff than they think they do, so start packing your things a month or so before the move to make sure you’ve got everything covered. Start by packing your least often used things first, followed by those you use every day, and lastly, your food items. There are special boxes and containers for different types of items; for instance, lightweight cartons to pack clothing, and sturdier boxes or even crates to hold heavy books or fragile dishes. You can also use bubble wrap and newspapers to cushion and hold things in place, giving added security to your things.
When packing heavy objects, be sure to separate them from breakables, like vases, plates, and frames. Put them at the bottom of your boxes to avoid causing damage to other items, and then double tape the bottoms for better support. On the other hand, soft and pliant items such as pillows, towels, linens, and stuffed animals can be packed in plastic and used as extra cushioning for your belongings. After packing the rest of your things, tape all your boxes at the top and bottom to keep them secure. Of course, don’t forget to mark the boxes so each ends up in the proper destination.
Things to Do on Moving Day
If you’ve taken the time to prepare, moving out from your old home shouldn’t be too difficult. This is especially true if you hire professional movers to help you manage your tasks. On the actual moving day, the local movers truck will arrive to pick up your boxes. Be sure that you get all your packing done as much as possible before they arrive to avoid delays. If you live in an apartment or condominium building, it would be a smart move to book an elevator for your exclusive use while the move’s taking place, and reserve a loading dock, if there is one, for the truck. Take the time to check in with your building manager, as every condo or apartment complex has different rules. Reserving a parking area close by is also a must-do, as it would make the loading and unloading of items easier on everyone.
When you’re all done with the actual move and it’s time to unpack, things will be a whole lot easier if you’ve properly labeled and organized your things. Big appliances and furniture—like your bed—are probably best to transfer in disassembled form to avoid taking up too much space. Put everything back together with the help of family members (or even the movers) once you’ve arrived at your new home.
After unpacking your things, you’re sure to have a lot of packaging items, including paper used for stuffing, boxes, and other materials left over. Be sure to dispose of them correctly while organizing things around your new home.
Tips On Moving Appliances and Large Items 
You don’t want to move into your new home and have no gas, electricity, or water. That’s why prior to the big day, make sure to make all necessary arrangements so your utilities are all set up from day one. Call a licensed gas company to come in and service your gas-run appliances and have them connected properly.
You should also take into consideration other important appliances in your new home. Refrigerators and freezers need to be unplugged the night before, or as early as possible prior to the move to give them adequate time to defrost. Other large items, such as pianos, should also be considered properly when moving. To ensure they aren’t damaged or harmed during the move, be sure to ask expert piano movers for assistance. Make sure they have the skills and knowledge to appropriately move your valuables and to prevent any damage that would cost you money on repairs.
Yes, moving can be quite stressful, but with proper planning and with the help of the professionals, you can make this endeavor totally worth it. Contact your trusted local mover to help with your planning today!
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Author Bio:
David Underwood has been in the moving industry since 1986. He serves as the founder and General Manager of Our Guys Around Town Movers (formerly known as 2GT, Inc.). This designation allows him to help provide for the moving needs of families in Maryland, Virginia, the Greater Washington, DC area as well as long-distance national moves. Check out the company blog for updates from David!
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