One of the best things you can do to avoid any kind of relocation stress is to organize your move in advance. As soon as you have enough reasons to move and decide that the relocation is definitely happening, you can start planning your future steps. It is always better to start planning early than to have to deal with the last-minute relocation.
There are many things you have to do before relocating, and if this is your first time doing it, you probably don’t even know where to begin. There is no need to panic – we got you covered. Just follow our relocation tips, use our checklist recommendations, and you will move efficiently and effortlessly in no time.
First things first – even if you have previous experience with relocations, if you were helping a friend, think twice before you decide to go DIY. If you have to relocate a lot of heavy furniture pieces and other objects across the country, it is highly recommended that you hire a trustworthy relocation company.
With professional long-distance moving services, your relocation will go much smoother and easier, and you won’t have to handle everything on your own. This will also leave you enough time to focus on other responsibilities such as house-hunting, paying bills, and others. Just ensure you avoid relocation scams by learning how to spot potential fraudulent companies on time.
When making a list for moving out, you have to focus on your household items and decide what objects you want to relocate and what not. The second thing to consider is what to do with stuff you’re not taking with you, such as old clothes or damaged furniture. You have several options – one of them is to organize a garage sale and try selling objects that are still in good condition.
You can use that extra money to pay for some other stuff that will make your relocation process easier – such as packing services, for example. Once you write a final version of your relocation inventory list, it will be easier for you to make a deal with the chosen relocation company and decide what services you want.
Apart from selling unneeded stuff, you can also donate furniture or get rid of useless items by throwing them away. This can make the whole process much quicker and easier – you won’t waste your time and energy by relocating unnecessary objects, plus you’ll lower the relocation expenses you could have for packing materials and services.
The process leads us to the next significant question – planning your expenses. You’re probably worried and thinking that the whole move could cost you a lot of money. Don’t worry – with a good plan, you can even earn something during the process. If you are selling your old house without an agent, learn how to make it more attractive for potential buyers and get a better price.
Also, don’t forget to do a little investigation about the area you’re relocating to and the cost of living there. You can find all the needed information at relevant websites like Numbeo that show the cost of living in different places. You can find out the average costs for different categories and see if it fits your monthly budget.
Some of the cool money-saving methods you can use if you want to move on a budget are:
The moving-out list of things to buy should include quality materials as the next important thing. Without good materials, it is impossible to protect your inventory, but buying them is just the first step of the process. You also need to know how to use them properly, or you are taking the risk of damaging your goods.
You can try to look up some convenient tips online, but it is much easier to hire professionals for this part if you don’t have any previous experience or need to pack a lot of objects. Not only will they bring quality materials, but you won’t spend extra money on unnecessary supplies – boxes professionals use are already included in the service price. Another benefit is they have special equipment and knowledge that will speed up the process, so you won’t have to start preparing months in advance.
Another great relocation hack that we already mentioned is using stuff you have at your apartment for packing. You might be curious about this step and start wondering what is there to use? First of all, all the clothing pieces and blankets are great for protecting fragile objects. There is no need to buy special relocation blankets when you can wrap a mirror or other fragile objects in a blanket that you use to cover yourself during colder months. Another great hack is using newspapers instead of wrapping paper.
Now that you have gathered all the needed materials, you’re ready for the next part of the process – packing itself. Where to begin? Start from your garage or other storage areas. You want to make sure you pack the least used objects first.
This is usually some stuff you keep in the attic or your garage. By taking care of this first, you will have the stuff you use daily until the last day in your apartment. Start with old books, Christmas ornaments, seasonal clothes that you don’t currently wear, and the rest of your storage inventory.
Relocation essentials are something that you’ll pack at the very end of the process. These are objects that you need to use daily, such as chargers, medicines, and toiletries. A bag with essentials should also include some clean clothes, towels, and other stuff you’re going to need first at your new home. In case you’re relocating with pets, don’t forget to bring their favorite toys and extra food that will give them comfort during the process.
The To-do list for moving out of state should also include taking care of some administrative payments and obligations. One of the things that you should do first is to make sure you’re not leaving any debts behind by paying all of your bills. You should also change your address in advance – this way, you will avoid paying double for two different locations.
One of the steps you mustn’t forget about when leaving your home is cleaning. No matter if you’re selling your old home or returning the keys to the landlord, the rule is the same. Leaving mess around will bring you no good, especially if you’re trying to sell your house or apartment for a higher price or planning to get your deposit money back. This should be one of the last steps of the process – it is recommended that you clean everything once you pack most of your items.
This is good because most parts of your apartment will be easily reachable, and you won’t waste a lot of time by moving stuff around to get a better approach. Begin with ceilings, continue with doors and windows and end the process with cleaning floors. Remember to wipe off the dust and use a vacuum cleaner. You will probably have to focus the most on kitchen and bathroom areas.
If during the cleaning process you notice that some things in your home are damaged or broken, you should consider fixing them as well. Changing a light bulb or making other kinds of small repairs won’t cost you a lot, and they will definitely help you keep your deposit. Also, if you’re selling the house or apartment, having everything tidy and working properly will leave a better impression on potential buyers.
One more thing to remember for the relocation day is protecting floors when relocating. Most people forget to do this, especially if they pack quickly and don’t think through all the steps. Not protecting your floors and sliding your furniture over them can lead up to some serious scratches and expensive repairs. There is no need to risk these unnecessary expenses when you can simply cover them and prevent any accidents. You should also protect your door frames and avoid scratching them.
Now that you know how to plan your move in the best way, you can finally start running after your dreams. Long-distance moving isn’t easy, but it can be much less stressful with the right kind of assistance. That’s why it is highly recommended that you hire a professional long-distance moving company and enjoy various services that will help you have a more comfortable move.
You can also get the best car shipping services and relocate your vehicle as well. By getting relocation insurance, you’ll ensure that every potential damage will be refunded, so there is nothing you should worry about. If you plan an office move, a commercial relocation service is another convenient option. If you want to plan your expenses, you can even get a free quote and calculate everything in advance.