Moving day can be stressful but with some planning you can minimize the likelihood of having a move day nightmare story.
There are a lot of steps to check off in between deciding that you want to relocate and successfully executing it. From packing and planning to figuring out how on earth you’re going to unpack and organize everything once you’re finally done.
Here are some moving day tips for advice on how to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
1.Make a list of things that have to get done.
Instead of frantically trying to remember all the little things you have to get done on moving day, keep a list going that outlines everything you’ll have to do or need done. That way, you can prioritize your time and wake up a little bit earlier if necessary so you have time to get everything done before you leave.
2.Set personal items and essentials aside
Though the movers will load and move most of your household goods, there are always things you’ll want to handle yourself.
Items like medication, jewelry, irreplaceable family heirlooms, important documents like credit cards, change of clothes, and phone chargers should set aside in a closet or small bedroom.
To avoid them being accidentally loaded, show your movers where they’ll be before they get to work.
3. Find a safe place for kids and pets
Having kids or pets running around can complicate moving day. It can also be dangerous for little ones—two legged and four. Ideally you’ve already figured out plans for your kids or pets prior to moving day, so it’s just a matter of putting those plans into place early. If you have a friend or family member who will be watching them for you, schedule a pick-up or drop-off first thing in the morning so you can focus entirely on everything else that needs to get done. If your kids or pets will be sticking around, do what you can to keep them busy and out of the way.
4. Make sure you have enough cash
Running to the ATM only to discover that it’s out of cash or out of order is another move day hassle worth avoiding.
A few days before your move, calculate how much you’ll need for things like tips, take-out food, and drinks. If you’re paying your movers with cash, add another 10 or 20% on top of the estimated cost in case things take longer than planned.
5.Leave out some basic cleaning supplies
Hopefully you’ve already done your deep clean, but even so you should still keep basic cleaning supplies available for any unexpected touch ups. A broom, dustpan, and container of sanitizing wipes should be sufficient. Just like your essentials bag, keep your cleaning supplies somewhere they won’t get loaded on to the truck—your car or a closet should be fine. Once the boxes are cleared out and the space is empty you’ll be able to see if any last-minute cleaning needs to get done.
6.Do a thorough walk-through
Anything you leave behind might be difficult to get back, so do a thorough walk through of your home and keep an eye out for anything you might have forgotten. Open all of your cabinets and check every single one of your closets (including the very backs of shelves) to make sure that anything you plan to take with you is packed and ready to go. While it’s impossible to anticipate everything that could go wrong, following the advice above will help make sure that you’ve at least got your bases covered when it comes to the obvious stuff.
