July 13, 2022
Moving to a new home across the country can be a real challenge, and what better way to make it a positive experience than to be the ultimate organizer of your own long-distance relocation? With our checklist on how to prepare for a move, you’ll learn how to create a timeline and stick to it, obtain the necessary packing supplies, and find the best possible moving assistance.
How Do I Start Preparing For a Move?
Simply put – plan your move from start to finish. Outline each step of the way, use organizers and stickers, to-do lists, calendars, anything and everything that can help you organize your move the best way possible. This is very important because when you do make a plan, you’re basically almost halfway done with your move. You know exactly what needs to happen at what time, and you will be less likely to make some of the most common moving mistakes.
You Will Be Moving for Weeks
This may sound redundant, but you’d be surprised by how many people miscalculate their time. The sooner you start your relocation process, the smoother it will go. Trust us, you cannot do everything you need to do for a move in just two weeks. You can try, but you will physically and emotionally burn out and possibly make huge errors in the meantime.
For the best possible move, you’ll need approximately six weeks, more or less, depending on how big your home is.
Create a Weekly Timeline and Start Using Your Checklist
Since you’ll be preparing for moving day for weeks, you want to make a timeline of all the tasks that need to be done every week. The first few weeks are crucial, because you’ll have to focus on:
- Researching the area you’re moving to
- Finding local banks, hospitals, and schools
- Notifying your coworkers, landlord, friends, and family that you are moving to a different state
A Short Guide on How to Create a Timeline
It’s like a combination of your to-do list and your calendar. Write down everything that needs to be done and place it for each day until moving day. The best thing to do is to put your timeline somewhere where you’ll always be able to see it.
Take your time and make a proficient timeline of your tasks.
Get Packing Supplies
The next task on your checklist is getting packing materials and other supplies. Some supplies you already have in your home, some you have to buy, but some you can get for free, like boxes. If you’re on a tight budget, you can use different alternatives instead of the usual materials, and you can get most boxes for free either from close friends or family members that have moved recently, from local stores, shops, restaurants, or by joining a Facebook group about moving in the US where you can ask if someone in your local area has some boxes.
List of Supplies You’ll Need
This is a list of the most common items people use when they move:
- Boxes of various sizes
- Plastic bins
- Tape
- Scissors
- Box cutters
- Sticker labels, like the colored ones
- Labels for moving boxes
- Packing material, such as bubble wrap (be sure to know how to use bubble wrap), paper, newsprint, or enough of your own linens
- Hand truck or dolly – optional
- Blankets to protect furniture, mirrors, and your TV
Check how much your move would cost
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Begin to Pack a Few Weeks Before You Move
Once you start packing, you’ll realize you have lots of stuff you don’t need, or they’re broken, unusable, or you simply don’t want them anymore. This is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and try to sell unwanted items, donate them, give them away for free to your friends and family.
You should start packing at least three weeks before moving day. Remember to pack a separate overnight bag with essentials that you will carry with you. These tips are important because they will help you during the first few days until you fully unpack at your new home. If you don’t want to bother with packing or getting materials, you can always hire movers for packing services to pack your items for you. Also, if there’s some stuff you think won’t fit into your new home, you can always opt for storage ideas.
Check Out This Video For Packing Tips
Watch these awesome tips on how to pack quickly and efficiently for your big cross-country move.
Hire a Long-Distance Moving Company
It’s for the best if you hire movers at least three weeks before you move. You can check out different cross-country moving services and see what you need help with. Movers can help you transport your items safely to your new home and pack/unpack if needed. Doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Movers Near You
If you are interested in hiring professional help for a move to a different state, you should contact a reliable and affordable long-distance moving company and get a free quote for different services that you’ll be needing. Don’t forget to compare your shortlisted choices before reaching the final decision.
Remember to check with your movers which items are prohibited from moving.
Last Days Before You Enter Your New Home
You’re almost there! Next tasks before your big move are:
- Filling out an official change-of-address form with the S. Post Office
- Changing the address on all accounts
- Using up food from the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry
- Turning off utilities
- Disposing of all flammable items that can’t be transported, including paint, chemicals, and aerosol cans
- Backing up all computers
- Confirming details with your moving company
- Hiring a cleaning company to do a quick clean after the movers leave or schedule a day that you will come back to clean before the new owners arrive
Remember to update your personal information on all your accounts.
The Moving Day Has Arrived, and You’re All Set
It’s finally moving day! Time to do last minute check-ups and let the movers to their work. You can even learn some tips and tricks from your movers. Remember to go through your timeline every day, so you can stay focused and on schedule, and don’t forget to hire a moving company near you with affordable prices and quality services.
