It’s moving season! Next to finding your new apartment, the most important tasks to any successful move is planning, organizing, and packing your belongings. For most, the chore of planning and packing can cause added anxiety and chaos during an already stressful time. To make things easier, we’re here to help with our list of seven tips for organizing your move.
How to organize your move with ease
Follow these steps to ensure your move takes place without a hitch.
- Start early
Don’t let your moving to-do list overwhelm you and lead to procrastination. Begin as soon as possible, ideally 2-4 weeks prior to your move-out date. Start little-by-little so you’re not scrambling with a list of last-minute items to pack as your movers are knocking on your door. If you create a plan of attack, like packing up one room at a time, you’ll have a better sense of what you’ve accomplished so far, and what still needs to be done. Once you have a plan in place, you can start organizing your move and scheduling your movers.
- Schedule your movers
Speaking of movers, you’ll want to secure them (or your U-haul) as soon as possible, especially if you’re moving during peak season. Don’t need a moving a full-blown moving service? Try to enlist your friends and family (compensation in the form of pizza and beer highly appreciated) or hire someone for a few hours from Task Rabbit to do some heavy lifting for you. While an extra cost to add to your budget, movers can help alleviate some of the pressure you feel as you plan your move.
- Post for sale items ASAP
Need to part way with some of your belongings? You may want to consider selling items that are still in good condition. Give yourself plenty of time to find interested buyers and also make sure there’s a generous window of time for them to pick up your couch, rug, antique lamp collection or whatever you no longer have a need for. Cleaning out the items you don’t plan to take with you will help you organize your packing.
- Begin your packing with the items you don’t use daily
You probably don’t need your winter coat in July, and chances are you can make do without your pasta maker for a few weeks. Pack up things you’ll be able to do without temporarily and leave only the things you’ll absolutely need on a daily basis such as clean clothes, a few kitchen essentials, toiletries and cleaning supplies.
- Donate unwanted items
If you’re running out of time to find someone to buy your stuff or have a pile of clothes that would better serve someone else, drop off your things at a donation center. Someone else organizing their own move may be looking for the exact item you decided to donate.
- Pack smart
As you pack, make sure you group like things together, label boxes clearly, distribute weight evenly between boxes and use the appropriate packing materials to avoid damage while in transit. For fragile items like glassware, picture frames, or lamps, be sure to cover sharp edges, use bubble wrap, and add buffer packing material to ensure they don’t shift around in the box. To help reduce waste during your move, opt for reusable storage boxes or see if there’s a box rental service in your area!
- Complete your move-out cleaning
The last step in organizing your move is cleaning your unit. Be sure to give your apartment a thorough cleaning, patch holes, repaint if necessary, and replace anything you’ve changed out like window treatments or light fixtures. You can ask your landlord if they have a move-out checklist or any specific requirements for tenants moving out to avoid getting penalized and losing part of your security deposit.
Helpful tips for packing
- Wrap your valuables – Be sure to wrap all breakable items in paper or bubble wrap to avoid shattering. While this can take extra time, you’ll thank yourself when your items arrive to your new apartment in one piece.
- Label your boxes – Unpacking can be just as stressful and time consuming as packing. Remember to label all boxes in bins to make unpacking simple.
- Don’t overload the boxes – Asses the weight of the boxes as you pack. While you can sometimes fit more items, the boxes will be more difficult to handle and move. If a box is particularly heavy, be sure to label it accordingly so you don’t strain your back when you go to lift it once moving day arrives.
- Pack in order of necessity – Leave your everyday items to be packed last. Start with any pictures, books, decorative items first so that you can still have use of necessities like pots and pans and dish-ware.
FAQ: Organizing a move
Calendars can fill up quickly for moving companies. If you’re planning to utilize movers, the earlier you can schedule the better. Try to schedule your movers at least 30 days prior to your move to ensure they have availability.
The best time to move is when the weather is favorable. While winter can offer more affordable rent prices, you run the risk of potential seasonal weather delays. Also keep in mind that moving companies may have an up-charge for weekend moves. If you are able to schedule your move during the week you could save costs.
Generally, two movers will cost around $100-$200 per hour. Keep in mind that moving companies will often have a minimum hour requirements and will charge for travel time to each location. While not required, it is also customary to tip your movers. You’ll have to budget a bit extra when hiring movers, but this service can take a lot of the stress off of you and your back.
The earlier the better. You don’t want to be up all night the evening prior to your move, packing last minute. Start going through your belongings two to three months prior and begin identifying items for donation or sale. Then, go room by room packing the items that you don’t use regularly first.
You’ll want to acquire boxes and bins in various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, paper, and large garbage bags for clothes and bedding. You may also want to consider purchasing moving pads or blankets to protect any wood furniture or glass. Most moving companies will provide moving pads for an additional or included cost.
Moving is a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be. By planning ahead and utilizing our tips for organizing your move, you’ll be able to stay focused and complete your packing with ease.
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