No matter how you slice it, moving day is no fun. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, the thought of packing all those boxes and doing all that hard work is enough to convince you stay put.
If staying put is not an option, you can at least minimize the pain of moving day. The right advance planning can make a world of difference and speed you into your new home. Here are 10 great moving tips to minimize the amount of time you spend getting there and maximize the amount of time you spend enjoying your new surroundings.
Prepare
Give your new home a good pre-move scrubbing. The last thing you want to do is spend moving day cleaning two homes. If you can get into the new home a few days ahead of time, giving it a good cleaning can making moving day a lot easier.
Add A Pop Of Color
Color-code each room – and each box. Color coding your boxes will make moving into the new home a lot easier, and it only takes a few minutes. Just pick up a supply of colored painter’s tape or masking tape and use it to adorn the doorway of each room. Use the same tape to decorate your boxes. This simple step will make your life a lot easier.
Load Your Moving Truck Like A Pro
Pack your truck or moving van from back to front. You know the layout of your new home, so use it to your advantage. The boxes that go in the back rooms of the house should be the last ones on the truck – it will make unpacking easier, faster and more efficient.
Grab Some Friends (And Some Wine)
Set up a moving day convoy. If you are doing the move yourself, round up all your friends and set up a moving day convoy. Having multiple vehicles will make the move go faster and make your life easier. Just be sure to pack a bottle of wine and enough glasses to toast your helpers and thank them for their hard work.
Throw A Yard Sale
Hold a pre-packing yard sale. Clearing out the clutter before you move is a tried and trusted strategy, but you may still find some unwanted items when you start to pack your boxes. Just set those unwanted items away, move them to the front yard and turn them into cash.
Set That Alarm (as much as you may hate to)
Get an early start. Moving in the early morning hours could mean less traffic and a faster commute time, so start the convoy as early as possible. Use the busiest times of day, like the daily lunch break and rush hour, to organize your new home. When the rush is over, you can resume your convoy and finish the move before the sun goes down.
Clean As You Go
Clean the room as you pack. Cleaning an empty room is much easier than cleaning a cluttered one, so take advantage of the space and clean as you go. Keep your cleaning supplies within easy reach and give each room a good scrubbing once the last color-coded box is packed.
Pack a “First Night Box”
Pack a special first night box. From prescription medications to sheets and pillows to the aforementioned bottle of wine, there are some essentials you will need for the first night in your new home. Packing those items in their own special box will make your life easier and speed the transition.
Donate
Donate your old boxes once everything is unpacked. When the move is done and you are comfortably in your new home, you will be surrounded by a mountain of empty boxes. You can climb that mountain by calling a local charity and offering them for free. Just be sure to get a receipt for the donation – you can use it to reduce your tax bill next year.
Nothing can completely eliminate the pain of moving, but there are some things you can do to speed the transition and make it easier. The 10 tips listed above can help you move your stuff easily, quickly and without losing your mind. Whether you’re moving across the country or just around the block, we’re here to make help from Home to Renter’s Insurance get your free quote or find an office in your neighborhood.