Last Updated on June 28, 2023
Moving, although challenging, is sometimes the right thing to do to create an optimal living environment for you and your family. Whether it’s moving to a safer neighborhood or seeking more space, a new home can address various issues that may exist in your current living situation.
That being said, the process of shifting houses itself is complex and often overwhelming. Transferring your prized belongings from one space to another is time-consuming and laborious. But thankfully, there are steps you can take before the moving day arrives that make this process more streamlined and less anxiety-inducing.
Let’s discuss some of the things you should do before the big day.
1. Search for a Reliable Moving Company
While some families choose to tackle the entire moving process on their own, the benefits a professional mover brings you far outweigh any of its costs. Not only are they likely to be more efficient at moving your belongings than you are, but their expertise and professional equipment ensure that your belongings are safe from any damage. Not to mention, if you employ the expertise of a professional mover – most of your work is done. If they’re handling the moving process, that means less stress and more time for you to prepare to settle in your new space.
But finding a mover that suits your needs is a task that requires active research on your part. It’s crucial to prioritize finding a trustworthy and professional service provider to ensure a smooth and hassle-free moving experience. Thankfully, various certified movers like 495 Movers Moving Company operate in the United States. 495 Movers provide services in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington and can handle your long-distance, household, or commercial move.
2. Declutter Your Space
Moving to a new space presents an excellent opportunity for a fresh start. Decluttering allows you to assess your belongings and decide what truly adds value to your life. Also, moving can be a hectic and overwhelming experience. By decluttering your space before the move, you eliminate unnecessary items and reduce the overall volume of belongings you need to pack and transport.
You can begin decluttering by organizing all your possessions into three categories. First, organize the things you will keep. It should include anything you think will be essential for your new home or has immense sentimental value and isn’t something you’re willing to let go of. Next, organize things you can donate or sell. While they may be in good condition, they might not be needed in this new space you are moving to. Finally, you should discard all worn-out or damaged possessions.
3. Employ Smart Packing Strategies
Packing is the most tedious part of moving. It is especially so if you leave it to the last minute, where you must organize, categorize, and sort all your possessions in just a few hours. Smart packing means beginning this process as early as possible. You can start packing away unessential or less frequently used items early. It breaks the activity into many small, easily achievable tasks. As you get closer to the moving day, you can begin packing all your essentials.
Other packing strategies include packing your belongings according to category and labeling everything. It ensures you can access whatever you need instead of sifting through multiple boxes and searching for them. Make sure you invest in high-quality packing materials and have a range of boxes for objects of different sizes and weights, as well as packing paper, tape, and bubble wrap for more fragile items.
4. Formally Change Your Address
Before shifting into your new home, you must inform all relevant parties of your new address. Informing relevant institutions and individuals about your address change ensures a smooth transition. Start by notifying the local postal service to set up mail forwarding from your old address to the new one. This ensures you receive any mail sent to your previous residence during the transition period.
Next, update your address with government institutions such as tax authorities, electoral offices, and departments of motor vehicles. Contact them through their designated channels or visit their websites to complete the necessary forms and provide your new address details. This step ensures compliance with legal requirements and avoids any issues with important documents or notifications.
Don’t forget to update your address with banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions. This ensures that they have your accurate information on file for statements, correspondence, or any other financial matters.
5. Have A Separate Box For All Your Essentials
Moving from one space to another, especially if it is cross-state, is a time-consuming process. There will be a few days of delay between the moving day and the day all your possessions arrive at your new address. Once they are here, sifting through all the boxes, taking out your belongings, and setting them up will also take time.
But there are a few essential items you’re going to need after you move in. This includes kitchen supplies, laptops, mobiles, clothes, toiletries, chargers, etc. So, create a box of essentials containing such items, and carry them with you instead of putting them in the moving truck. This box of essentials should include documentation you cannot afford to lose or would prefer to keep private, such as your passports, bank details, and financial records. It eliminates the delay in access compared to belongings in the moving truck and enables you to live a fully functional life in your first few days at your new home.
Conclusion
Moving into a new home should be exciting rather than stressful. It represents the beginning of a new adventure, a new life where you will become part of a new community. While the moving process is undeniably a lot of work, following the advice in this article will help break down and streamline the process into small achievable goals. It will make the whole moving process something you enjoy and something that excites you rather than something that is overburdening you.