Moving to a new home is never an easy task. In fact, moving can often be one of the most physically and emotionally draining tasks you’ll ever complete in your life. There is just so much to do and so little time. Plus, with nearly daily disruptions to your routine for weeks (or even months) on end, it’s that much harder to relax and unwind in the evening, causing even more stress for homeowners.
As someone that has helped thousands of families across the Fraser Valley move over the last decade, I am here to tell you that moving to a new home doesn’t have to be so stressful! In fact, with a little planning and proper organization, moving to a new home can actually be fairly easy and simple.
Want to know how? Then check out my comprehensive moving guide below. I’ve compiled all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years into one massive list, and am sharing it with you here in hopes that your next move is the most stress-free yet!
The Prep Work
Like most things in life, a good move starts with good prep work. As soon as you have decided to move, it’s best you get started right away. The sooner you begin, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid many of the common issues that cause stress and anxiety for homeowners.
Start the process by getting all of the initial paperwork and hiring out of the way. While each move is unique, here are some of the most common items you’ll want to attack right away:
- Create a “Move File” on your computer or shared drive in the cloud so that everyone in the family has access
- Schedule your move date (and be sure to file for time off at work if necessary)
- Create a “moving supplies” list and begin searching for coupons and deals
- Schedule in-home estimates for moving companies (if you plan to hire movers)
- Rent a truck (if you plan to move yourself)
- Create a moving budget (moves are expensive, especially if you don’t stick to a budget)
- Plan a garage sale for all the items you’ll inevitably want to leave behind
- Create a list of all utilities and vendors at your current home that will need to be cancelled, and a list of new utilities and vendors that need to be turned on at your new home
- Schedule address updates for any subscriptions, mail service, banking, credit cards, etc.
The Packing
With your initial prep work completed, you’ll want to begin the packing process as soon as possible. Packing always takes longer than expected…especially when you unearth old mementos and photo albums that you can’t resist browsing. So, plan to pack a little bit each day, and before you know it you’ll be all finished and ready to go.
As you begin to pack, follow this list to ensure everything remains super organized:
- Purchase or collect free boxes (grocery stores and liquor stores usually have free boxes they’re willing to give away)
- Purchase plenty of tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and other needed supplies
- Assign each room in your new home its own colour and then mark boxes accordingly so that they can easily be placed in their proper location on moving day
- Begin packing all non-essential items – anything in storage, books, extra kitchen supplies, out-of-season clothing, etc. – the items you know you won’t need before your move should be the first to go into boxes
- Create a “day-of” box to be kept in your car and opened immediately upon arrival – include items such as bottles of water, soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a set of clean sheets, some granola bars, and anything else that you might want during the first 24 hours in your new home
- Set aside a small toolkit that may be needed for moving-related tasks
- Create a single place for items you plan to donate or sell at your garage sale
Moving Week
As you approach your moving day, it’s time to kick things into high gear. Thankfully, with all your prep work you’ve done, moving week should be a breeze. But there are still things that need to get done, such as:
- Bring all items you wish to donate (or that you did not sell at your garage sale) to your local drop-off/charity of choice
- Confirm movers and truck rentals days and times
- Finish packing any remaining items – also begin to wrap large pieces of furniture to prepare for the final move
- Purchase a small set of disposable dishware so that you can pack remaining china and glasses
- Prep a week’s worth of meals to keep frozen so that you may pack remaining cookware
- Confirm all change of address notifications
- Take care of any needed repairs or touch-ups at your old home
- Clean rooms that have been already packed and cleared
- If you are taking any large appliances (fridge, washer), be sure to unplug them several days before moving so they can drain
- Empty gas tanks on lawn equipment
- Withdraw cash needed to tip movers
Moving Day
It’s finally here! With all your prep work, moving day should be a breeze, however there are still things you should remember to do:
- Bring old towels or rugs to protect your floors while moving in
- Unpack your bed, bedding, and shower essentials first…you’ll thank yourself that evening
- Go grocery shopping – unpacking can wait, eating cannot
- No curtains? Cover your windows with an extra bedsheets for the first few nights. Though it may not be the most glamourous décor, you’ll be glad you did when the sun starts shining the next morning.
- Bust out the vacuum/broom in each room before you begin moving in boxes and furniture – you want to start with a clean slate!
While moving can be a difficult, you can minimize the stress with a proper plan of action. Follow this list of tips, and approach your move as something you can complete a little bit each day. By following an organized plan and breaking up the work into tiny chunks, your stress levels will fall dramatically, and the move into your new home will be easy and effortless!
Do you have any other moving tips? I’d love to hear them! Reach out and let me know what you do to ensure a stress-free moving day.
Thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Fraser Valley? Let’s talk!