Planning a move can be an overwhelming experience — from packing boxes to coordinating logistics, there’s a lot to remember. We’ve compiled a comprehensive pre-moving checklist to help you navigate this process and avoid common pitfalls.
This guide will remind you of every crucial detail you need to remember before embarking on your move. We’ll also highlight the advantage of hiring a professional moving service to simplify your experience. From the smallest details to the most significant tasks, this checklist and the assistance of a reliable moving service will make your relocation process much more manageable.
20 Things to Do Before Moving
1. Find Your Perfect New Home
Finding a new house to move into is the most important thing you can do before moving.
Consider what you need in a new property (a large yard, an open plan floor plan, etc.) before looking at properties to buy or rent. Consider the ideal location of your new home (distance from your work and kids’ school, transport options, local amenities, crime rates, living standards, and quality of life in your neighborhood, etc.). Decide on the type and size of home that best suits your lifestyle (large house, 2-bedroom apartment, etc.). Choose a home in good condition that doesn’t exceed 25% of the monthly income.
2. Reduce Your Possessions
It will be physically and mentally exhausting to sort out all your possessions and decide their fate when you plan a move. It is not only expensive and difficult to move all of your possessions, but it’s also pointless.
You must decide which items you can use in your new environment and which you shouldn’t. Create a floor plan of your new house to determine which old items you can fit into. Set aside anything you no longer like or need and evaluate each item’s sentimental, financial, and practical value. Only take with you the items you love and need.
Only take with you the things that you love and need.
3. Create a Moving Stock
After deciding what to take and what to leave, it is time to make a moving list. List all the items that you will be moving. Include their type and number, distinctive features, estimated value, destination room, and, most importantly, current condition. ).
The moving inventory sheet can help you estimate a move’s cost based on your shipment weight and assess your needs, such as special movers or extra services. You can also provide moving insurance and better keep track of your belongings.
4. Remove Unused Items
Remove unwanted items, such as damaged or worn-out articles or outdated or outgrown clothing, toys, books, games, and other possessions. Duplicate items, special equipment that no one will use anymore, items that don’t fit into your new home, or gifts and souvenirs you dislike are all items to get rid of before moving. It is one of the best things you can do before moving – you will save time, effort, and money.
You can give away unwanted items in good condition to friends or family, sell them online or at garage sales or donate them to a charity.
5. Create a Moving Calendar
It’s only a little good to have a checklist of things to accomplish before moving unless you give each task a deadline. You need to break down the large moving tasks into smaller goals and prioritize them based on their importance and difficulty. Then, you can set deadlines for each of these mini-goals. Customize your moving schedule to suit your specific relocation requirements, and adhere to it no matter what.
You can organize your time and keep track of progress with a moving calendar.
6. Create a Moving Budget
You can create a budget to help you determine how much you’ll need to move and if you have enough money to cover the costs.
Add up all moving costs (movers’ fees, additional service charges, etc.). You can also do it yourself (moving truck rental costs, gas, tolls, and parking fees)—the cost of packing materials, travel costs, insurance, and post-relocation expenditures. Create a contingency account for unexpected situations. Make sure to have enough money for the move and any emergency.
7. Choose a Moving Date
Consider all relevant factors (start of a new job, lease expiration, end of school year, etc.). Consider your previous commitments and engagements and the best time to move.
Remember that moving during peak season is more expensive than moving at a less busy time. But pay attention to the risk of unfavorable conditions from October to April.
Always be flexible and have a backup plan in case of unforeseen circumstances.
8. Choose Between Hiring Movers or Performing a DIY Move
When planning a move, one of the most important things you can do is to decide whether it will be a DIY move, a self-service, or a ‘full-service’ move. Research your options and weigh each moving method’s pros, cons, and advantages to choose the best one.
Compare moving costs and other factors such as time, safety, efficiency, coverage, etc. Be aware of all the risks involved in moving alone and hire reliable help to move (such as movers you can trust or friends who are experienced). Rent a truck or hire a moving company as soon as you can.
9. Find the Best Movers for You
- If you are unwilling to move yourself, your experience will be defined by your choice of movers. You must hire experienced and reliable moving companies to ensure your relocation goes smoothly and without problems.
- Request recommendations
- Fill out a quote form to be put in touch with reputable moving companies.
- Estimate the cost of moving in-house;
- Compare the services, rates, and conditions of different moving companies;
- Check out the complaints history of the company and read reviews from previous customers. Verify their insurance and licensing information.
- Sign a contract and review the paperwork for your move.
10. Change Your Address
Before moving, it is important to update your address. Not only will you be able to receive your mail at your new address, but all your documents can be updated or changed after your move.
Don’t forget to inform your friends and family, your employer, your children’s schools, your landlord, service providers, banks and credit card companies, your family physician, attorney, insurance firms, DMV, Internal Revenue Service, and other organizations that you deal with of your upcoming relocation.
11. Collect Important Documents
Collecting and organizing all the documents and records you need before, during, and after your move takes great effort. So, it’s best to get started on preparing the documents as early as possible:
- Collect your documents, including personal, financial, and property documents.
- Retrieving medical and school records
- It would help if you had all of the necessary moving paperwork.
- Sort your documents into separate folders and envelopes. Label them correctly.
- Take appropriate steps to prevent identity theft by making copies of important documents, including photocopies or digital copies.
- Keep all important documents on you at all times.
12. Cancel Subscriptions and Switch Utilities
You can contact your current service provider and arrange for the utilities to be disconnected the day following your move. You can cancel your cable, internet, and newspaper services (beware of cancellation fees) and memberships to local clubs and organizations.
You can connect to other services later. Remember that you may have to pay an installation fee or a deposit to turn on the utilities.
13. Look After Your Pets
You can transport your pet in your vehicle with very little paperwork if you are moving locally.
Relocating your pet will be easier if you move across the country. Before moving across the country with your pet, there are several things you should do:
- You should also check the local rules and regulations regarding pets.
- Ask for their health certificates, vaccination records, and a complete checkup at the vet.
- Use the right shipping containers.
- Please choose the best method to transport your pet, whether a dog, cat, or bird.
14. Pack Your Belongings in an Efficient and Safe Way
The most important thing to do before moving is packing. Packing is a time-consuming and laborious process that demands great attention to detail.
- Packing materials:
- Pack as soon as you can;
- Pack first the items you don’t use often;
- What not to pack?
- Wrap each item individually and use lots of padding. Make sure to leave empty spaces in the boxes, as this will prevent items from shifting around during transport. ;
- Label the boxes clearly with the contents, the destination room, and necessary instructions.
15. How to Care for Specialty and Valuable Items
Pack each valuable item separately, and take great care. Only use high-quality packing materials to protect your precious family heirlooms and valuables. This includes jewelry, artwork, electronics, sentimental items, and expensive jewelry. Keep your valuables close to you at all times.
Suppose you cannot relocate a high-value item yourself (antique furniture, large pictures, etc. Declare it as such and inform your movers of the item’s special needs. Also, get additional moving insurance.
Contact a specialist mover if necessary. They will have the right equipment and know-how for special items like grandfather clocks—pool tables, hot tubs, etc.
16. Unpack the First Box That You Open
Packaging a survival kit before moving is important so you won’t have to open sealed boxes when you arrive at your new house searching for what you need.
You can avoid this by packing everything you need the night before, the move day, and the first few days at your new house in a separate container.
Take your first-night package with you when traveling!
17. Plan Your Trip
When moving to a city, the most important thing to do is plan your trip.
- Book your flight in advance if you are planning to fly.
- Decide on your route and places you’d like to see along the way. This could be relatives, friends, or historical sites. Estimate the time to travel from one place to another and choose where to rest and eat. Make reservations at a hotel if you plan to stay overnight.
18. Say Goodbye
Saying Goodbye to the people and places important to you is essential to moving. It will allow you to begin afresh after your relocation. Give yourself ample time to say Goodbye to the important people and places in your life.
- Have a party with your friends to say Goodbye;
- You can do something with your friend that you have always loved one more time.
- Give your friends a gift that will remind them about your time together.
- Make videos and photos of your friends making jokes or sharing memories with you;
- Visit your favorite spots in the city;
- Create a photo book of your old house;
- Create a video farewell, moving from one place to another, and telling your favorite stories.
19. Organize a Stress-Free and Safe Moving Day
The most important thing to do is plan a successful move day. You know, it’s all good when the move is successful.
It would help if you did the following:
- Prepare yourself before the moving company arrives.
- The moving truck should be parked in front of your house.
- Reserving an elevator is possible.
- Remove obstacles from the path;
- Take all possible measures to protect your property.
- Keep pets and children occupied in a quiet and safe room away from the chaos.
- Prepare refreshments for you, your family, and the moving team.
- You’ll need some cash for small expenses and tips (if your mover is good).
- Recheck everything one final time.
20. Cleaning Your Old Home
Give your home a thorough clean before moving out.
Even though you might be exhausted, it’s important to make sure your old house is in great condition so you can either get your security deposit returned (if you are leaving a rental property) or attract potential buyers (if your home is for sale). You should remove dust and cobwebs from the house, clean the windows, vacuum the carpets, and mop the floor. Then, lock the doors of your old home.
You’re now ready to move. Our checklist is completed. Do you agree or disagree? Do you have other things to do before moving out of the house? Let us know your thoughts!
Conclusion
Moving to a new home can be a daunting task. There are many things to remember, from creating a moving inventory to choosing the best moving date, packing efficiently, and dealing with the clearance of your old home. But by following our comprehensive pre-moving checklist, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new place.
For an even smoother transition, consider relying on the services of reputable professionals movers like 5 Star Movers Sarasota. They have the expertise and resources to handle every facet of the moving process, taking the weight off your shoulders and letting you focus on settling into your new home. At 5 Star Movers Sarasota, moving shouldn’t be a hassle; with us, it won’t be!
