Your Stress Free Moving Handbook

Posted on: 21 December 2016

Moving from one home to another requires a lot of careful planning, especially if you have an entire house full of items that you need to have moved. Planning your move may begin weeks in advance. To help keep from stressing out, using a checklist will help you to stay organized and help you to remember everything that needs to be done. See below for a breakdown of weekly tasks you should do before moving day.

8 Weeks In Advance

• Begin decluttering your home. Start by going room by room and removing items you no longer want. Donate items that are still usable, or sell items such as furniture that you don't want in your new home.
• Look for moving companies to help you with your move. When moving an entire house, using friends and their trucks to help you may not be feasible. You'll end up making a lot of trips and wasting a lot of gas. 
• Inventory your home with the items you intend on keeping. Start a list of these items to help you keep better track.

6 Weeks In Advance

• Start gathering or purchasing boxes to use for your move. Newer boxes are better to use, as they aren't flimsy, and are safer for your things. If you've chosen a moving company, they may offer a deal on boxes if using their services.

4 Weeks In Advance

• Select your local mover for your move. Be sure to discuss any items that may require special handling - as in a piano or other large items. Be sure to get written confirmation of the estimate, as well as the date.
• Begin packing your belongings. When packing, be sure to keep record of what is inside each box. You can do this easily by labeling the boxes with numbers and the room the items will go into, then write them down on paper to help keep inventory.
• Change your address with all utility companies, loan companies, bank, your child's school, employer and insurance company.

3 Weeks In Advance

• Set a date with your utility companies to transfer your utilities to your new home, and turn off the utilities are your old home.

2 Weeks In Advance

• Confirm with your moving company the date of your move.
• Take time off for your move if needed.

1 Week In Advance

• Start setting aside necessities you will need for your first days at your new home. Things like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, daily necessities, towels and a change of clothing. 

Days In Advance

• Clean out your refrigerator/freezer and remove old food or food that you don't intend on taking with you for your move.
• Schedule a caretaker for your child if you have smaller children. This will make things a little easier on you. Also schedule a caretaker for your pets such as dogs or cats.

Moving Day

• Be sure your utilities are set to be transferred or cancelled.
• Do a final walk through of your home to be sure you have everything. Check closets, the basement, attic and crawl space to ensure you didn't leave anything behind.
• Go through your inventory with your movers to be sure it is accurate. Do this when leaving your old home and when you get to your new place.

Moving is a pretty stressful time. Make things a little easier on you and your family by taking things weeks at a time to get it all done, and use the checklist above to help you.