Month: April 2024

A residential move can be complex, with numerous potential challenges that may arise. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to make your move a better experience overall. These hacks make moving a more positive experience and help improve your relocation.

1. Finish the Food

Food can take up a lot of space in moving boxes and be heavy to lift (especially cans!). As soon as you’ve realized that you’ll be relocating, make a plan to start eating down the food in your pantry. First, discard expired things, and then plan to eat food items close to expiring so that everything you bring to your new home will be fresh.

2. Buy Color Coded Moving Labels

Use color-coded, pre-printed stickers to indicate where boxes are supposed to go in your new home. Buy “fragile” stickers, too. Keep markers on hand to label what’s inside the box.

3. Make Reassembling Furniture Easier

Reassembling furniture after taking it apart can be a significant pain. Make videos of yourself taking apart your furniture so you can see how to put the furniture back together. Put the hardware, like screws and bolts, in a sandwich bag, then tape it to the furniture.

4. Leave Clothes on Hangers

You can waste much time taking clothes off the hangers before packing them in a box. Leave your clothes on hangers. Pull the clothes out of your closet and fold them together, then put them in a bag before placing them in a box.

5. Schedule Utilities Transfer

Ensure a seamless transition by scheduling the transfer of utilities well in advance. Coordinate with service providers to set up electricity, water, internet, and other essential services before you move in.

6. Use Mirror and Art Boxes

Explicitly designed mirrors and art boxes can hold items of unusual dimensions, such as paintings and mirrors. Measure your paintings and mirrors, then purchase mirror and art boxes that fit.

7. Create an Essentials Box

Pack a separate box containing essential items such as toiletries, medications, snacks, and important documents. Keep this box accessible to ensure you have everything you need during the transition period.

8. Make a Plan for Kids and Pets

Make a plan to do something with your kids and pets on moving day. Having somewhere to send them where they can play and enjoy themselves without getting in the way will make your moving day more manageable and keep them safe.

9. Defrost the Freezer

Remember to defrost your freezer a couple of days before you move. Give away your frozen items unless you plan to bring them to your next home.

10. Keep the Computer Out of the Moving Truck

Moving trucks can get hot, so keep your computer and sensitive electronics out of the moving truck. Pack these items in your car and unload them as soon as you get to your new house.

Find the Right Moving Company

The best way to make your move successful is to find a moving company you can trust. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and talk about your upcoming relocation.

Packing before a big household move feels overwhelming to most people. To simplify the process, start in the least-used areas where clutter tends to accumulate. Areas such as your basement and attic are great places to start. Here are top tips for decluttering these spaces before your move.

1. Ask Yourself These Questions

Unlike other areas of the home, you might not want to go by the “used in the last year” rule because you might find there are family treasures you want to keep but don’t necessarily use. To help decide, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have more than one of these items?
• Will this item simply be collecting dust in my new home?
• Where in the new house will this item go?
• Is the item in good working condition?
• Does the item need repair?
• How sentimental is this item?

If your answer to these questions determines any items aren’t something you need or even use, make a plan to eliminate them.

2. Set Up Areas to Place Items

Plan to sort out possessions by creating piles while going through your basement and attic spaces.

• Keep
• Recycle
• Toss
• Donate
• Sell

Knowing where items will go will streamline your packing process and, in some cases, put some money back into your pocket.

Pro tip: Pack the “must keep” items as you sort to save time. Just be sure they’re items you genuinely need.

3. Be Mindful of Paperwork

You may have boxes and bins filled with old paperwork in your attic and basement. Be sure to carefully review these before throwing them out or recycling them because they may have personal information. Shred any documents containing sensitive information. 

Pro tip: Avoid accidentally mishandling essential documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, old family documents, and photos. Safeguard these in a box and clearly label them.

4. Factor in Your New Surroundings

When deciding what to keep, think about where you’re moving to. If you’re moving to warmer climates, you probably don’t need to keep the heavy winter gear, snow blowers, and sleds.

5. Make Donation Pickup Arrangements

If you have large items or too many bags/boxes to transport yourself, arrange a donation pickup. Many companies will come to you to transport usable items at no cost.

• Habitat for Humanity
• Goodwill
• The Salvation Army
• AMVETS National Service Foundation
• Greendrop

These are only a handful of organizations that will pick up household items. Check with any charity you’re interested in, and then ask about the types of items they’ll take and how to arrange a pickup.

6. Hire a Junk Removal Company

If you’re not going to move a large portion of your basement and attic, you might consider hiring a junk removal company. This will save you time, and you won’t have to worry about how to get these things out of your home. Many will dispose of trash and donate usable items to charity for you.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

Going through the attic and basement can be an arduous process as you’re trying to plan your move. To help reduce your stress on moving day, contact our professional moving experts today to learn more about our services and get a free quote.