As exciting as moving to your dream home can be, it also comes with an element of stress. Sifting through and packing your belongings, learning about your new neighborhood, arranging utilities and repairs in your new home, and a million other tasks can weigh you down pretty quickly.
But here’s the thing: If you know what to expect, you can strategize your move and prepare ahead of time. Then, you will have a much smoother experience with minimal headaches.
TNT Moving Systems knows moving, which is why we’ve created this comprehensive guide for relocating. Who knows — you may even enjoy your move! Use the tips below to plan out your steps and feel at peace with the process.
Essential Steps to a Successful Move
You will have more than enough on your plate during the relocation process. By taking the steps below, you can make your entire experience less stressful:
Keep It Organized
If there is one thing you do as you prepare for your move, resolve to stay organized throughout the process. Create a checklist of all the tasks that need to be completed, such as getting packing supplies, packing your belongings in labeled boxes, researching moving companies, and so forth.
If you need to, create lists for your lists.
For example, you could list your rooms and the items you need to pack from those rooms. You will also need to ask yourself a few questions:
• Should you hire a professional cleaning service to come through your home after moving out?
• Should you have cleaners do a deep clean of your new home before you get there?
• Are you going to immediately move into your new home after moving out of your old one, or should you find a place to stay for a couple of nights?
• Are you moving with young children or pets?
You will also need to transfer all of your utilities to the new home or, if necessary, call the phone, water, and electric companies to turn the utilities on under your name.
Declutter and Remove Unwanted Items
Moving to a new home is an opportunity to simplify your life. You might be annoyed to arrive at the new place to unpack a bunch of items you don’t use or want. Plus, the more things you relocate, the more it costs.
Take time to purge your closets, cabinets, drawers, and every room and space in your home. Consider donating your gently-used items to local charity organizations or passing them down to friends or relatives.
If you want to make a few extra bucks, you could sell them through various online marketplaces or hold a garage sale. Some household items may need to be thrown away or recycled. The key is to get rid of anything you don’t need so that it’s not taking up space in your new home.
Deep Clean Each Space
Once you have decluttered and removed some of your household items, do a deep clean of every room and space. Start at the ceilings and work your way down to the floors, wiping every surface, vacuuming, and mopping. Of course, if you don’t have the time or energy to clean your home, try to leave room for professional cleaning services in your budget.
Find a Reputable Moving Company
One of the best things to ensure a smooth and stress-free relocation is hiring an experienced moving company. But you will need to do your diligence by researching the various companies in your area, comparing customer reviews, experience, and rates. Before hiring movers, make sure they provide the services you need and make any special accommodations you require.
At TNT Moving Systems, we have decades of experience helping families and businesses safely get their belongings from A to B. Call our office to learn about our services and rates and to set up an evaluation. And we love to go above and beyond to work with special requests!
Get Packing Supplies
Before you start packing up your things, you will need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. You will need lots of packing tape, and this is not something you want to skimp on. Get a high-quality packing tape that will not stick to the roll or tear as you put boxes together. Chances are, you are going to tape and re-tape your boxes several times, and you don’t want your items falling through the bottoms.
You will also need many moving boxes; it’s best to buy more than you think you will need. Look online and at local establishments for discounted boxes. Some places will even give used boxes away that they would typically recycle or discard.
Here are some other supplies you may need:
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Bold black permanent markers
• Scissors
• Labels, such as colored box labels or stickers
• Rope or cargo straps
• Furniture pads
• Furniture covers
• A basic toolset
While you’re at it, be sure to pick up any cleaning supplies you may need. This includes a broom, bucket, garbage bags, cleaning solutions, and anything else that will help you get your home spick and span.
Pack With a Strategy
For most people, packing is a mundane and dreaded chore, and it can also be a daunting endeavor. The key is to take your time and handle your packing in small steps. Avoid waiting until the last minute to complete all of your packing at all costs. The more time you give yourself to pack all of your belongings, the smoother the experience will be.
Some moving companies will pack up household items for you, which could significantly reduce your stress. So, if you would instead go that route, be sure to make room in your budget for the additional services. Many homeowners leave the most valuable and fragile items (e.g., china, artwork, antique furniture, etc.) and pack everything else up themselves. Movers like TNT are trained and experienced to pack and transport almost anything!
When packing your belongings, start with the items you use the least. You will want to save your most-used items for last to be more accessible. Maintain a detailed list of what you have packed into each box so that you can save time, stress, and frustration when unpacking in your new home.
Be sure to mark and label each box on all sides. Include the name of the room and a number for your boxes. For example, you might have boxes labeled “Kitchen 1, Kitchen 2, Kitchen 3,” and so forth. Keep one master list and document all of the contents for each box to know precisely what is inside when you unpack your boxes.
Think About Your Children and Pets
If you have children, you will want to make sure they are comfortable during the moving process. The best strategy is to get them involved.
If possible, take them to the new home to walk through and learn the ins and outs. Allow them to help you design and decorate their bedrooms, and show the new house’s property and floorplan.
One thing you can do is schedule a picnic lunch at the new place. If you are moving long-distance and will not get a chance to see the home in person before the move, use listing photos, virtual tours, and any other available resources to show the house to your kids.
Children typically want to feel included in the process, and it can help reduce the impact of homesickness. Therefore, allow your children to help you pack the items that mean the most to them, including their blankets, pajamas, and favorite stuffed animals and toys.
Pets can be extremely sensitive during the moving process. If you have pets, keep in mind that they may be anxious as their routines and homes change. You will need to put in extra effort to help them transition as quickly as possible.
Pack all of your pet’s supplies in a marked box, including medications, toys, bedding, and so forth. You will also need their food and snacks accessible, along with bowls, leashes, collars, and any other everyday items.
If possible, take your pet with you to your new home before you move in to help them acclimate to the location’s sights, smells, and layout. And understand that it is common for a pet to run away from a new home to look for their old one.
For the first few weeks in your new home, make sure all exterior doors stay closed and try to keep their routine (e.g., potty time, playtimes, feeding times, etc.) as regular as possible.
Remember the Essentials
Anytime you move to a new home, it’s a good idea to pack a suitcase or box of things that you would need if you were going on a weekend getaway.
Even if you plan on staying in your new home on moving day, you may not feel like unpacking all of your belongings on the first night, and you will want access to the essentials for a comfortable stay. You will need clothes, toiletries, medicine, chargers, and anything else that could make your first couple of nights enjoyable.
Unpack With a Strategy
When it comes time to unpack, you have already been through a lot. You’ve packed your entire home, loaded everything onto the moving trucks, and dealt with any number of other responsibilities along the way.
You are probably going to be exhausted before you even unpack anything. That’s why it’s so essential to make an unpacking plan before you get to that point. The good news is that you can use the packing lists you created to save time and stress as you unpack!
When strategizing your unpacking, start with the items and rooms you will need first. You will need to prioritize the master and children’s bedrooms in most cases.
Set up all of your beds so that you have somewhere to crash on your first night. Set out your toiletries and towels in the bathrooms to maintain your hygiene routine. If your cable and internet are not set up yet, you may not be able to watch your favorite shows or movies, meaning you may need to set up lamps so that you can read in bed and see your way around all the boxes on the floor.
After handling those first items and rooms, it’s time to unpack the kitchen. Think of any appliances or utensils that you will need the most, and unpack those first. This might include pots, pans, coffee maker, kettle, silverware, etc. You will also need to unpack your cups, plates, and other food prep items.
Unless you plan to renovate the kitchen, consider unpacking the rest of the kitchen after you have put away the essential items. Then, you will be in an excellent position to unpack the rest of your home at your own pace. Just know that you can save time and stress by unpacking one room at a time so that you are not going back and forth.
Donating to Local Organizations
As you are preparing for your move and decluttering your unwanted items, you could positively impact the lives of other community members by donating. And considering the time and effort required to list items online to sell them (which may not bring you a lot of money anyway), donating your things could be a simpler and less time-consuming approach.
Many stores and charities in the Charlotte area will gladly take everyday household items. Look to clothing exchange stores like Dress for Success and Clothes Mentor for donating clothing, shoes, scarves, belts, coats, jewelry, and other items. If you have electronics, tools, household items, and apparel you need to get rid of, look to these organizations:
• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Habitat for Humanity
• BlueSky Solutions
• Crisis Assistance Ministry
Many organizations will pick up unwanted items from your home if you call to arrange a time. That way, you’re helping out people in need while also making your relocation a smoother process!
Conclusion
Moving is an exciting venture, but there is no getting around that it can also be stressful and overwhelming. The key is to think carefully and take time to plan and prepare for your relocation in advance.
Keep the tips above in mind as you prepare your old and new home, pack, unpack, and make any necessary arrangements. And don’t forget to call TNT Moving Systems to help you along the way. We will ensure all of your belongings are transported safely to the new home, and we will even pack your items if you ask us to!