It happens to all of us that we forget to bring or pack some things when going on a trip, but that is one of the things you can’t afford when relocating cross country. A comprehensive moving to-do list is something of a must-have in these situations because it can save you from a world of stress and boost your efficiency. Keep in mind that the key to every successful long-distance move is planning – and sooner you begin with it, the better.
Here, we would like to go through some essential stages of every relocation. Sometimes, when carrying out a last-minute relocation, you may not have the time to follow all the steps, but try taking the most out of them and organize the days at your disposal wisely.
You’ve been thinking about it so much, and you’ve finally decided to relocate. Know that your life won’t be business as usual in the following days and weeks. If you are not in a rush of any kind, it is better to give yourself a proper month or two to organize everything and minimize the possibility of moving stress. That is why we’ve decided to create the most comprehensive list that is going to cover all the aspects of a successful relocation. Of course, you are free to rearrange these steps and customize them to suit your needs because every relocation is different. Moving to a smaller home is not the same as relocating from an apartment to a house.
Ideally, it would be two months or eight weeks prior to your move. But we are aware that not everyone has that much time. In many cases, people have only a month or less to pack their entire life in boxes and move away. Besides, some people are just naturally more organized and don’t panic in nerve-wracking situations. So it all varies from case to case. But in general, if you can, take it step-by-step and don’t rush. For our checklist, we relied on an 8-week plan because we found it to be the ideal timeframe to begin preparing for the big day.
Here we are, the first step in your relocation. The big news just got confirmed, the papers have been signed, it’s official: you’re relocating. Now you need to think logistically and to organize it all cleverly.
But where should you begin? Is it too early to pack essentials? Call to schedule auto transport services? Or go house hunting and get that thing off your list first? Let’s try to come up with a structure and start everything on a good note.
The first big matter you have to decide on is whether to do it all on your own or hire experts to do the job for you. If you opt for the latter, know that there is no such thing as a successful relocation without reliable companies that can handle all your requests professionally and provide impeccable moving services. Hence, if you don’t want your relocation to turn into a nightmare, you have to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company that won’t low-ball you.
Although packing is the first thing that crosses our minds when we think about relocation, it is not the only one. There are so many tasks you can and should do before you proceed to putting belongings into boxes. But what you can do at this stage is to go through the rooms, scan everything to get an idea about the things that will go with you, as well as those that you can leave behind or sell.
We all have some clothes we never wear or things that are just collecting dust and taking up space. Now you should get rid of them because, firstly, you won’t use them in your new home either, and secondly, transporting them will cost you more. So why not save some money and make your relocation easier to handle?
As we are slowly approaching the last month, you should start paying attention to some details and slowly begin packing. At this point, you can pack some items that you don’t use so frequently, like seasonal clothes, garage tools, etc. You should also check out our guide to what movers won’t move, so you know what can’t be transported in a truck with the rest of your belongings. Those items can also be sold online or gifted.
As the big date slowly approaches, it seems like there are more and more things to take care of. Those are usually some small things, but with so many of them, it is easy to overlook something. By this point, you should already have a signed contract with reputable movers. Your relocation date, costs, and all the details should be arranged. The reality is, you are moving out this month. So soon, you can start pa(ni)cking.
Ok, so now, when all the basics are covered, you can really focus on those boxes. But also don’t forget to dedicate some attention to your new place. In case there are any remodeling works to be done, painting, cleaning, etc., do them now, so it is all done by the time you move in.
By now, you should’ve already solved all the major issues, and all that is left is to slowly fill up every box and protect every belonging. You should also check if your address changes have been confirmed at all the places you requested the change. However, there are still some things you can do, whether you are using auto transport services or not.
The last week in your old place is usually the most stressful one, because no matter how much we try to stay calm, there is always something on our mind, triggering our anxiety. You should finish packing all of your things, leaving only the stuff you’ll need on the last day. Your food supplies should be empty. If there’s something you know you are not going to use, donate it instead of throwing it.
The last day can be pretty hectic and chaotic, so we recommend you finish everything on time. Here are some of the things that should be sorted out in the last few days:
As our ultimate checklist finally comes to an end, we hope it will help you stay organized and have a stress-free relocation. After all, every relocation is different, but we are sure you will find the best way to handle everything with a little bit of patience and forward-thinking.