Planning to relocate can easily turn into a hectic endeavor. The best way to overcome the frenzy that is moving is to have a plan. Brought to you by DC moving company – Cheap Movers DC, here’s a play-by-play on how to best utilize the weeks leading up to your moving date.
8 Weeks
This is the time for you to plan the basics. Will you use a moving company or rent a van? Do you have kids or pets that will need caretaking on the day of the move? Make note of these topics, write reminders for yourself, and place it all in a folder dedicated to the move. Be sure to obtain all necessary documents and forms that you’ll need at your new location, i.e. medical records, school records, etc.; these should be placed in your moving folder, as well. Make an attempt to draw a floor plan of your new home, or obtain one online. This floor plan will help to give you an idea of how much you can take with you and where to place it all. Start listing all of your belongings and decide what you want to take with you and what you’ll get rid of.
6 Weeks
At this point, you should file a Change of Address kit with the post office. Inform banks, insurance, and all other necessary agencies of your new address. Do you plan to pack your items yourself, or will you assign that task to a moving company? If you plan to pack yourself, determine how much you’ll need, in terms of packing supplies. If you plan on ordering these online, do that around this time.
4 Weeks
Take this time to clean out your house. Get rid of all the junk that you meant to throw out months ago; throw away damaged items, and set aside any items to be donated. Schedule a few in-home estimates, to get an idea of how much your move will cost you. During this time, you should also call your utility companies and arrange cut-off dates for their services.
3 Weeks
Review your list of items you plan to keep and see if there is anything you can pack in advance, i.e. excess clothing, toys, etc. Make a call to your movers and confirm that they will be available on your move dates; draw out a written agreement with the company, confirming rates and your final estimate. If you plan on renting a van, do the same: call the company, confirm your dates.
2 Weeks
If you’re moving to a new state, be sure to arrange travel plans (flight times, hotel reservations, etc.). Once again, review your item checklist, crosscheck it with the physical items in your home (packed and unpacked) and dispose of any items too dangerous to move, such as strong cleaning products. Now’s the time you should arrange to have the utilities at your new home turned on.
1 Week
Prepare a 72-Hour kit for your new home, until your utilities and kitchen items are unpacked. If you’re staying at a hotel, you can skip this step entirely. Pack your suitcases and keep them separate from the boxes being loaded into your truck/van. Reconfirm with your movers the dates and estimated times for your move.
Moving Day
Check boxes off of your list as they are loaded onto the truck. Anything you planned to take in your car, i.e. suitcases, should be loaded into your car right now. Exchange phone numbers with your movers, in case contact is needed during transit.
Post-Move
You’ve reached your destination. Unload all of your items, keeping things organized by room. Pay your movers, and send them on their way. Congratulations! You’ve just successfully moved.