How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Move

Many people refer to “moving day” when talking about an upcoming move or relocation. This, however, is a misnomer. A more accurate term would be “moving week” or even “moving month”. Moving is a process; it does not just happen overnight. While this may seem daunting, experiencing a stress-free move is easier than you may think. Here are some expert tips to help prepare for your upcoming move.

1. Start early! We really cannot emphasize this one enough. As soon as you have a moving date nailed down, start taking the necessary steps to prepare. The more time you allow yourself to prep before your move, the easier it will be when the time comes to load up the moving trucks.
2. Declutter. Before you even think about putting things into a box, it is important you go through your belongings and try to consolidate wherever necessary. Maybe you’ve lived in your current home or apartment for six years… that’s a LOT of time for stuff to accumulate. A general rule of thumb for most clothes and everyday items: If you haven’t used it or worn it in six months, you probably aren’t going to any time soon! Time to donate. 
3. Organize. When you are ready to pack boxes, it is crucial you do so in a tidy manner. Group similar items together and place them neatly in boxes. This will save you space and time. If you throw miscellaneous belongings into a messy box, you will spend hours reorganizing after your move. You’ll also lose precious box space!
4. Hire a babysitter. This one may seem strange at first, but it can be so valuable! If you have kids (or even pets) consider asking a family member or babysitter to watch them for the afternoon so you can have uninterrupted time to prepare for your move. You’ll be happily surprised by how much you can accomplish with no interruptions.
5. Schedule your movers in advance. During certain times of the year, moving companies become extremely busy. It is always a good idea to book your moving team as soon as you have a date. This will alleviate so much of your stress about moving.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re trying to move alone, it can quickly become overwhelming. Try to enlist the help of friends and family to help you prepare for the big day. You’d be surprised how easy it is to bribe someone with pizza!
7. Label everything. Honestly, there is no such thing as too much labeling when it comes to moving. The more time you spend organizing and labeling on the front end, the less time you will have to spend unpacking and sifting through items at your new home.
8. Clean before you pack. Again, this will save you so much time and trouble once you are in your new home. Never ever pack a dirty dish, dirty laundry, or dusty furniture. Take care of this beforehand and you will be happily surprised by how easy the process of unpacking becomes. 
9. Have a moving party! This is a great way to get friends and family involved. Host a get together at your place with food and beverage. Ask friends to come over to help you clean, pack, and/or organize. This is one way to turn a somewhat tedious process into a fun time for all.
10. Donate items you no longer need. During your moving process, you will likely encounter many items that are no longer of value to you. Fight the temptation to throw these belongings in the dumpster. Instead, pack them separately and make a short trip to a local charity to donate them. This is a great solution for clothing you no longer wear, appliances/tools you no longer use, and furniture you are not taking to your new place. You’ll be helping out your community all while preparing for your big move!
11. Have fun with it! Think of moving as your next big adventure. The process can be daunting and overwhelming, but keep the end result in mind.
12. Call Family Moving & Storage. We promise to make your move as easy and stress- free as possible. We offer a wide range of services for every type of move. From residential moving to commercial moving and everything in between, we can make your life a lot easier. Trust the experts to help you prepare.