George K.
Change is as good as rest, and it comes to a point in life where we just need to change our environment whether it is work, school, or home. For the sake of this article, however, moving to a new home is never a walk in the park. Moving can have a huge toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally. There’s a lot to plan, organize, pack, and so forth, the entire experience can feel like a nightmare if you’re not well informed and prepared. To avoid getting drained and stressed out by the activity, here are a few tips you want to read through on how to move to a new home easily.
1. Get a reputed moving company
Depending on the size of your previous home and how many items you own, moving can be impossible without some professional help. Therefore, one of the first things you’ll need to do is conduct some research to identify potential movers around the area you’re moving to or from. To make your moving process smooth and stress-free, the guys at https://www.movingcompanyreviews.com/DC/Washington suggest comparing reviews and quotes of several moving companies before settling for one. Since, in this case, you’re moving to a new home, you’ll want to concentrate your efforts on the movers who offer residential moving services at affordable prices. Speak with your friends who have moved before and research online. It is not at all difficult to find reviews of brands with a national presence. Reputable brands like Mayflower are very forthcoming with the information anyway. In addition to positive reviews from professionals and previous clients, some things you’ll want to consider when choosing a moving company include:
- Licensing and accreditation
- Insurance
- Service prices (including packing costs)
- Verified business addresses and contacts
- Coverage
2. Organize the move early
“Proper prior preparation prevents poor performance” was a cliché back in school, but it holds value in many aspects of life. When you know you are moving, pack in advance. It helps you to pack strategically and at your own pace. Last-minute rush can easily lead to misplaced or lost items, not to forget the possibility of incurring unexpected costs.
3. Donate unwanted items
You might be moving because you need a bigger space… create that space! Needless to mention, it’s likely that you do not use everything in your house. Give it out, stop the cluttering, and create some space; it will make your moving easier, allowing you to carry only what is necessary while reducing the workload. There’s no need to move with piles of boxes that are going to just sit unused in your new home.
4. Smart packing
It’s also important to ensure you get all your items packed categorically. This means arranging all your utensils together, clothes, shoes, and so on. When you have them placed categorically in boxes, it will be easier for you to identify and differentiate them when loading, off-loading, and unpacking. Don’t forget to have your boxes, tapes, stickers, labels, marker pens, and bubble-wraps ready in various sizes.
5. Pick the right means of transport
You would not like to move while you’re hanging out and at risk of falling on the road. Your items will dictate the size of the truck to use and it is much better if you move all your stuff at once instead of making several trips, especially if you’re moving to a distant location. Moving all your stuff also narrows the chances of losing items. Get a size that is convenient for moving your items at ease to avoid breakages. Luckily, an experienced mover can help you in choosing the appropriate means of transport.
6. Take Inventory
This applies if you are hiring a mover to facilitate the process. As much as they are at work, however, it’s good to note that not all companies may have good intentions. Some may end up stealing stuff or misplacing in the course of moving. Fragile items may also end up broken or damaged. Therefore, one way to avoid moving stress is to have a checklist where you tick against items once they’ve been moved. This will make it easier for you to know if anything is missing.
7. Label everything
If you will be placing your items in boxes, it will be difficult to identify what is inside if you do not put labels on the boxes. Also, you may end up breaking delicate items in your household when stacking. Labeling the boxes will also ease the retrieval of items when arranging them in your new home. Ensure you label all sides for easy identification. The transition can be annoying at times since you need to be very attentive, especially if you involve a third party. Valuables attract malicious intentions and you have to protect your “precious” items by all means. Have them in one place and note them down in case they just decide to disappear as you move.
If you’ve moved to a new apartment or home before, you probably know how stressful it can get. From lost items to damaged belongings, unexpected costs, and missed deadlines, the experience can be horrifying without proper preparation. Thankfully, the above few tips can help make it easier and less demanding for you when moving to a new home.
