How to Get Ready for a Move

Whether you decided to move for the adventure, to be closer to family, or are relocating for work, finding the right house and area can be a monumental task. Putting in time and effort early to organize your search and essentially your move makes transitioning smoother.

One of the first things to do is choose a moving company. You want to research companies in your area to find one that is best suited to your needs and timeline. You must take into consideration the distance of your move, packing and shipping needs, as well as your budget.

Clear decisions are finding a new house and deciding on a moving company, but it’s the details that can truly make or break a move. Using a checklist to pack and organize your belongings can be an immense help and get the whole family involved. You can organize by separating items into piles like toss, sale, donate, and pack. Consider holding garage sells, donating to charity, or selling items on consignment to lighten your load. Less stuff equates to less packing and ultimately less stress. Ridding yourself of unneeded items will also reduce shipping costs. It may also be a good time to go ahead and repair broken items that you plan to keep. Repairs will be one less thing to worry about when you are setting up your new home.

Make sure you gather a list of contact information, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses from friends so you can stay in touch. Having this information handy will ease the separation. You will want to prepare your vehicle for the move by having relevant paperwork to register it in your new location. If you have pets, you will want to make any adjustments needed for them, as well. Find a vet in the area you are moving to and see if you can have your pet’s paperwork sent or faxed to the new location. Also, don’t forget to check if you need to obtain a local license for your pet.

Next is the mail. Fill out a change of address form with the post office, so they can help notify people of your new location. You will want to notify utility companies directly, as well as banks, and anywhere from which you receive bills or other pertinent information. Your utility company and cable or satellite company may also be able to help get you set up in your new home. Check for any specials or deals they may be able to offer.

When packing time arrives, create an inventory of your belongings and what the moving company will handle. Some things you may be transporting yourself, you don’t want anything lost or left. If you are driving, you may want to fill your car with valuable items or last minute stragglers. If flying, it may just be a carry-on bag with personal items. Either way, make sure you have access to necessary papers. Keep basics with you that you will need during the trip. These may include things like, electronics, medications, address book, keys to your new place, linens, and relevant papers. If there is a change in the climate where you are headed, make sure you have packed appropriately for the change. You don’t want to arrive freezing without a sweater, for instance.

Preparing early while staying as organized as possible will save you valued time and money while reducing stress and helping you settle.