Moving, whether across town or across an ocean, is a big undertaking and can become extremely overwhelming and stressful. To help make the process less stressful, it’s important to create a moving checklist that can guide you every step of the way. Staying organized and planning well in advance is usually the best way to alleviate the stress. However, we do understand that some people have to move with a short timeline and don’t have much time to plan. However there are steps you should take beforehand to get you, your family, and your possessions from one place to another safely, efficiently and stress free. Keep in mind, moving is a marathon, not a sprint!
2 months before your move
Things start to ramp up pretty quickly 2 months before your move. This is when your start to check off the to-do list. Major decisions are being made so take a deep breath
The sooner you can begin this process, the better, as it will help ensure the moving company you choose is available on your timeline
This will certainly help you to decide on what type of moving company you might hire, what additional services you can afford, or if you need to consider calling your family and friends and move with a DIY approach to save money. If you're moving through your company’s relocation program, it should provide the budget you have to work with.
Only get estimates from moving companies that appear to be trustworthy. Which means they MUST be registered with the FMCSA, and read through consumer and professional reviews for any red flags. If you aren’t going to hire professionals to pack, load, and transport your household items, consider renting a truck and start recruiting some friends to help you with the heavy lifting
You may need temporary storage if there's a gap between when you have to move out of your current home and when you can move into your new one.
Make an itemized list of all the furniture and large items you need to move. This will make it easier when getting an accurate quote from the moving company
It's a good idea to do this as early in the moving process as possible.
Give away, sell, or donate items you won’t be needing after you move.
If you're renting, give your landlord at least 30 days' notice of your plans to move. According to Findlaw, most states require this much notice for a month- to-month rental agreement. Double-check your lease and reach out to your landlord if the notice period is unclear.
One Month Before Moving
About a month before your move is a good time to sit down and really think about things that might get lost in the sauce. There are a lot of little tasks that need to be done, such as updating your contact information so people know how to get in touch with you. This is also the time to start packing up boxes. So roll up those sleeves and get to work.
Do this with the U.S. Postal Service so that mail will be forwarded properly. This is also a good time to update your address with subscription services (magazines, websites, meal delivery kits, etc.) and credit card companies.
Set the cancelation date for your utilities at your current home and the start date for your new one.
This is a very stressful and tedious process, so be patient and pace yourself. You will want to go room by room, but leave highly utilized spaces like the kitchen and bathroom until closer to your moving date. Contact your moving company to see if they provide boxes and moving supplies or if you need to purchase these on your own. Make sure everything is clearly labeled. Be sure to set aside jewelry and other valuables, important paperwork, etc., so you can personally transport these items without entrusting them to a mover.
You've already decluttered once, but there are likely more items you’ve come across that you no longer need. If you have more clothes, DONATE! Books? DONATE them to your nearest library. If you’re from NY like we are, you know that leaving a few home furnishings on the curb it will disappears in 5 minutes. I still have a great lamp I found on the Upper East Side.
Contact your moving coordinator at the moving company you've selected. At Caché we would have already called you to confirm (We couldn’t resist, this was the perfect opportunity to pitch our style of operation and how we run our business)
This could be a night in a hotel or a longer-term rental, depending on how long you have to wait to move into your new home.
2 Weeks Before Moving
Things can really start to get hectic two weeks out from your move, but don't let the stress get to you. Keep your cool by focusing on one task at a time.
Use the pictures as a reference to help ensure all of your belongings actually make the trip
This is especially helpful if you're moving yourself to keep you and others from lifting a surprisingly heavy load.
Group clothes in a way that makes sense to you and put them in garment boxes while still on the hangers. Doing so will help prevent wrinkles and make unpacking easier.
During intake with Caché we always ask if there is space on pick up and drop- off for the truck to park. Be sure to find a parking spot for the moving truck. This can be complicated, so work with your moving company to find a suitable parking location for loading and unloading.
Moving can be extremely stressful, so schedule breaks to decompress and relax for a more productive and pleasant experience. You should also consider taking time off from work after your move to decompress.
Moving Day
On the big day, your home will be a flurry of activity. Be present and prepared to answer any questions from your Foreman and workers (with as much patience as you can muster) Team work makes the dream work.
There are things you won’t want to be without, like your toothbrush and prescriptions, when you leave your home for the last time. You should also include a few changes of clothes so you don’t have to worry about laundry or locating the contents of your dresser immediately upon moving in.
You need all your energy to stay focused and calm.
The fee should have been determined in advance. You will also need to sign your bill of landing and take an inventory before the moving truck rolls out. In addition, it's common to tip your movers. We recommend 15% to 20% of your total bill for large moves and 5% to10% for smaller moves.
