Are you about to move houses? What an incredibly exciting time, though it can be both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, you’re looking forward to living in your new home. On the other hand, there’s the stressful move that somehow never goes according to plan. Something always seems to come in between, and chaos erupts. Avoid as much chaos with our guide and consider asking for a professional service.
Set a Timeline
You usually know a couple of weeks in advance that you’re moving house. Though sometimes you may need to move quickly. Since you certainly know when you need to leave your old place and can move into the new one, you can create a timeline.
It’s best to set a moving date a couple of days before when you have to be out of your new home. Leave at least one or two days to pick up some remaining items and clean up. Alternatively, if you’re moving with a professional service, you can leave the cleaning to the Maids in Pink. It’s especially handy if you move further away. For furniture removal, you will need a professional service anyway. Chances are low to find enough people to give you a hand for your move. In most cases, tons of friends assure to help you, but only a few of them actually turn up.Â
Once you’ve got the moving date circled in, you can start the planning and packing.
“It’s best to set a moving date a couple of days before when you have to be out of your new home. Leave at least one or two days to pick up some remaining items and clean up.”
Start Packing What You Don’t Need
It’d be a really bad idea to start packing dishes and clothes first. Those are items you’re going to need until moving day. Hence, it’s best to start packing all the items you don’t regularly use. Start with books, clothing that’s not in season (such as winter clothing if it’s summer), DVDs, and decorative items.
Packing for a move is actually the perfect occasion for some serious decluttering. The less you have to bring to the new place, the cheaper the move is going to get. You’re pulling out everything from your shelves, drawers, closet, and cabinets anyway. As you take out one item after another, think about it how often you’re using it.
If you haven’t used it in at least a year, it’s best to let go of it. Put it into a separate box, such as one for selling. Add trash into a separate one. Whatever you’ve thrown out in the process of packing you should allocate to a designated area. Declutter items from any other shelves and cabinets, too. Though they might be in areas of regular use, you certainly have some appliances in your kitchen that you’ve never used.
Once you’ve prepared the first step of decluttering and packing the first items, check your attic, basement, and garage. Chances are, you’ve kept some items there for later. Though that ‘later’ has never come. Add the stuff you want to let go of and let the furniture removal guys handle it.
“Packing for a move is actually the perfect occasion for some serious decluttering. The less you have to bring to the new place, the cheaper the move is going to get.“
Sell What Can Be Sold
As you’ve decluttered, you’ve certainly found stuff that’s in good condition. Try to sell it well in advance of your move. You can either set up a garage sale or sell it online. Just be aware that a garage sale needs some prep time, too. You need to advertise for it two weeks in advance and choose the first weekend of the month for it. Should that time have already passed as your moving date draws closer, you can try to sell it online like on let go, offer, craigslist or buy and sell groups on social media. Since you may not be able to sell it all within a day or two, you need to start offering your sale items two weeks prior to the moving date.
Whatever you couldn’t sell, add to the ‘let go’ pile for the furniture removal guys. Clearly mark the boxes and items you’re throwing out. If you don’t, the movers may accidentally pack it and bring it to your new home.
One Week Before The Move
Now you can start packing the other belongings that you’d regularly use. Leave out some clothes to wear for the next days, pack the rest. Pack all dishes you may not use within this timeframe. It’s best to pack the majority and opt for washing the dishes more often during the last days.
Start to disassemble furniture that can be disassembled. You’ll be alright with just the mattress on the floor for a few days. Since you won’t need your empty bookshelves for the last few days, disassemble them as well. Of course, you should also pack any last books and document folders.
Arrange a pick-up for furniture removal. You probably don’t take all of it to your new place anyway. The sooner you’ve got that stuff out of your house, the better. However, in case you come across items at the very last minute, you should schedule a furniture removal for the day after your move.
It will be too chaotic if the guys come around and step onto the feet of the movers. If you’re not allowed to leave anything at your curb, leave the door to your home unlocked for them. Your valuable items will be on the way to your new home anyway. Then they can just pop into your old home and collect everything you let go of. Alternatively, you give them a set of keys for seamless furniture removal.
And Finally, The Wrap Up Moment For The Furniture Removal
Get up early on moving day and pack any last items you see lying around. You probably forgot about some items earlier in this process. Even though it’s not well organized, take a box or a bag for the remains and put everything into it. Leave whatever you choose to let go off spontaneously.
Once all that is sorted, you only have to wait for the movers to arrive. If you have pets, put them into a crate well before the movers arrive. You don’t want your cat to run out of the door in terror of the moving hassle. Have some refreshments at hand for your movers.
Moving takes quite a lot of prep work with decluttering and packing. Rest assured, you’ll be much faster at unpacking at your new home, especially if you left some items with the furniture removal.
“Get up early on moving day and pack any last items you see lying around. You probably forgot about some items earlier in this process.“
