Moving homes can be a daunting task. The mere idea of packing up your life, transporting it, and setting it up somewhere new can cause anxiety.
But with careful planning, organization, and a few tricks of the trade, you can ensure a smooth transition from one home to another. Here are ten tips to help you navigate the process more efficiently.
1. Start Early
The moment you know you’re moving, start the process. Whether it’s sorting through items, packing, or making a moving checklist, beginning early can ease the pressure as moving day approaches.
2. Declutter Before You Pack
Moving is a perfect opportunity to declutter. Before you start packing, go through your belongings and decide what can be sold, donated, or thrown away. Lightening your load can also reduce moving costs.
3. Gather Supplies
Stock up on essential moving supplies like boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Consider specialized boxes for items like dishes or clothing. Keep a few extra boxes on hand for last-minute items.
4. Label Everything
Label each box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. Consider using color-coded stickers for easier identification. This will help you and your movers know where every box should go in the new house.
5. Pack an Essentials Box
Prepare a box or suitcase with items you’ll need immediately upon arriving at your new home. This might include toiletries, a change of clothes, essential kitchen items, and important documents. It ensures you aren’t scrambling to find necessities the first night.
6. Hire Reputable Movers
Do your research before hiring a moving company. Look at reviews, ask for recommendations, and get multiple quotes. Ensure the movers are licensed and insured.
7. Notify Important Parties
Before moving, make a list of all the subscriptions, utilities, and institutions you need to inform about your address change. This could include your bank, post office, electric company, and more.
8. Protect Valuables
Ensure all valuable items, whether monetary or sentimental, are handled with care. Consider moving these items yourself or purchasing additional insurance if using movers.
9. Plan Your Moving Day
If possible, try to move during a weekday when there’s less traffic and services like banks or utilities are open. Ensure you have a plan for pets or children for the day of the move.
10. Set Up Your New Home Systematically
Once you arrive at your new home, prioritize setting up rooms that are essential first, like the bedroom and kitchen. Once those spaces are functional, you can tackle less critical areas.
11. Evaluate and Redesign Lawn Edging
When you move into a new home, it’s not only the interior that requires attention. The exterior, particularly your lawn, plays a huge part in the home’s curb appeal. One detail that can make a vast difference is lawn edging.
Steel lawn edging provides a clean, crisp line between the lawn and garden beds, driveways, or pathways. It prevents grass from spreading into unwanted areas and can enhance the overall aesthetics of your outdoor space.
Upon moving in, evaluate the existing lawn edging. If the home was vacant for some time or the previous homeowners didn’t maintain the yard, the edging might need some touch-ups or a complete redesign. Consider durable materials like steel, stone, or brick for long-lasting and visually appealing edging. It’s a small detail, but refreshing or implementing effective lawn edging can make your new house feel even more like home.
Should You Move Yourself or Hire a Shipping Company?
Deciding between moving yourself and hiring a moving company is a choice that depends on various factors including budget, time, distance of the move, and the complexity of the move. Here are some pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision:
Move Yourself
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Typically, moving yourself is cheaper than hiring a professional moving company, especially for shorter or local moves.
- Full Control: You have complete control over your belongings, the packing process, and the moving timeline.
- Flexible Timing: You can move at your own pace and choose a moving date and time that best suits you.
- No Strangers: Some people feel more comfortable knowing that they and perhaps a few friends or family members are the only ones handling their belongings.
Cons:
- Time-Consuming: Packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking can be very time-consuming.
- Physical Labor: Moving heavy furniture and boxes can be physically demanding and potentially lead to injuries.
- Additional Costs: While it might seem cheaper at first, there can be hidden costs such as truck rental, fuel, packing materials, and potential damages.
- Stress: Moving can be stressful, especially without the expertise and equipment of professionals.
Hire a Moving Company
Pros:
- Efficiency: Professional movers like WhatManandVan from Bristol have the experience and equipment to move your belongings quickly and safely.
- Less Physical Work: You don’t have to worry about the heavy lifting, as the movers will handle it.
- Safety: Professional movers are trained to handle belongings with care, reducing the risk of damage.
- Insurance: Most moving companies offer insurance options to cover potential damages during the move.
- Services: Many companies offer additional services such as packing, unpacking, and storage.
Cons:
- Cost: Hiring a professional moving company can be expensive, especially for long-distance moves.
- Less Control: You entrust your belongings to a third party, which can be unsettling for some people.
- Potential for Scams: While most moving companies are legitimate, there are scams out there. It’s crucial to do thorough research and get references before hiring a company.
- Scheduling Constraints: You might need to plan around the moving company’s schedule, which may not always align perfectly with your preferred moving date.
Conclusion
Moving homes is undoubtedly a significant undertaking, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By starting early, staying organized, and using the above tips as a guide, you can turn a potentially stressful experience into a more manageable, even enjoyable, endeavor. Remember, the key is preparation. With every box you pack and label, you’re one step closer to starting a new chapter in your new home.
