Planning a move to a new house can easily get overwhelming, especially when you feel like you have hundreds of things on your to-do list. The secret to getting through it all is to break your many tasks down into a single manageable list, then going from there. Discover the basic steps to planning a successful move and make sure your moving experience goes smoothly.
Checklist of basic tasks before a move
- Tackle out-of-season clothing. You’ll probably be surprised at all the clothing, shoes, and accessories in your closets, especially if you try to pack them all at once. Save yourself from overwhelm by packing out-of-season items weeks (or months, if possible) before you plan to move. Then work on items worn infrequently, like fancy dinnerware or sporting equipment. Leave your clothing basics till last.
- Pack by zone. In other words, zone your house out into separate spaces: office, bedroom, kitchen, living room, etc. Pack one zone at a time and only place items from that zone in your packing boxes. This makes the process of packing easier and means you’ll have an easier experience when it comes to unpacking.
- Use baggies for hardware. If you have a mirror that’s mounted with special hardware, take that hardware and pack it in a sealable plastic baggie. Then tie or tape the baggie to the mirror. Do the same for curtain rod hangars and other small hardware items. This will save you a lot of hassle when it comes to putting things together in your new home.
- Wind up electrical cords. It’s better and safer to take all electrical cords and wind them into individual figure eight shapes. Secure them with a wire tie or a rubber band. This will prevent messes of tangled cords and will make it easier to fit the cords into your moving boxes.
- Use shredded paper for padding. If you shred your financial documents, take the shredded material and apply it to the bottom of all the boxes in which you plan to place breakable items. Aim for at least three inches of cushioning.
- Pack heavy breakables first, and then work your way up. In the same box where you’ve put shredded paper cushioning, place your heavier breakable items. From there, work your way up in layers with the lightest items getting placed on the very top. Use balled up pieces of paper or more shredded paper to insulate spaces between breakables.
- Take advantage of drawer space. When preparing dressers and other items with drawers for shipment, take advantage of all the space in the drawers. This is a great place to put soft, unbreakable items like sweaters, towels, sheets, and blankets. Lightweight goods may also be placed in drawers before furniture is shipped. Just take care to remove all potentially breakable items and find a way to keep the drawers from popping out while in transit (a bungee cord or moving saran wrap would work well for this task).
- Avoid overloading boxes. Don’t feel like you have to fill every last ounce of space in your boxes. Your packing and unpacking experience will go much more smoothly if your boxes aren’t overflowing. Stop adding things to boxes when the containers start to get too heavy or bow out at the sides. If you can’t lay the top flaps of the box down to tape them, it’s a sign you’ve put too much in.
- Mark all boxes as you pack them. Keep a dark marker with you as you pack and mark on each box as you fill it. Don’t wait to mark your boxes till after you’ve sealed them – you risk being distracted and then forgetting what you placed inside. It’s a good idea to record the general “zone” of the box on all four sides (i.e., office, bedroom, kitchen, etc.). Then choose one side to list the general contents of the box.
- Place your contact information on each box. Make sure you include your name, destination address, and phone number on every box you pack. In case of an unforeseen accident where your boxes get scattered, this will make it possible for them to get back to you. This is especially relevant if you’ve hired movers to transport your boxes for you.
- Use bright paper for priority boxes. Tape a bright piece of paper to boxes you’ll want to unpack first. That is, priority items such as toiletries, bedding, and basic clothing. This will save you the hassle of having to sort through all your boxes to find the few you need to get started in your new home.
