Erika’s Ultimate Moving Guide: Pre-Plan

After 39 moves, I’ve got some advice. Moving can be hard and stressful for even the most experienced.

It’s emotional. It’s physically taxing. It’s expensive. It needs organization. It takes time.

It’s finding new grocery stores and pharmacies, new friends and support, and new schools and routines. Whether you’re moving to your dream house or to your parents’ basement, moving is HARD.

Pre-planning a move is where the magic happens. It gives you time to catch mistakes. It spreads out the emotional and physical load. It allows you to bring your stress down to manageable levels.

Here’s how:

8 Weeks Before

• Create a “Moving Folder/Binder”
  Head to your office supply store and purchase a binder or folder to start collecting all of the paperwork. Print these checklists and put them in there. Include a paper calendar, a pencil, and some extra paper for last-minute notes. Save moving quotes, energy/waste/water company contact information. New school information. Keep your new floorplans in here. This folder will be your main resource.
• Start the “Stuff” process
  Go from room to room and decide what you want to keep, what you will give to family and friends, what you will donate, and what you’re going to toss. Get 4 different colored sticky notes or label each item. As the time nears you’ll find that certain things will change categories.
• Buy Nothing _______ Facebook Groups
  Join your current town’s Buy Nothing Facebook group. This allows you to give away items that you no longer wish to have to your community. It’s also a great place to snag some FREE boxes. They come up often and it is very convenient to start stockpiling now.
• Find Movers
  Get quotes from a few different moving companies. Make sure that they’re insured and they are working in a team of at least 2 people. You’ll need to estimate how many boxes per room to give them a good idea of how much work it’s going to be. They’ll most likely want to visit and take a quick inventory.

6 Weeks Before

• Order supplies
  It’s time to find boxes. Get more than you think you’ll need and return the rest. Don’t forget to buy at least 4 Sharpie markers and LOTS of packing tape. Remember you might have other people packing at the same time and sharing markers and tape throughout the house adds lots of time and frustration. Bubble wrap or newspaper is also a must. It not only protects valuables but also takes up space in the box to prevent items from shifting.
• Use up cleaning supplies, freezer food, etc. You won’t want to move extras, so don’t.
• Pick two rooms/areas that you rarely use and pack them completely. Think about guest rooms, extra bathrooms, closet space, garage, attic, basement. This takes TIME.

4 Weeks Before

• Confirm moving arrangements
  Book the moving company so you’re all ready to go. Sometimes their schedules get booked quick so make sure to get yourself on the list!
• Pack like you mean it
  Start packing the items you don’t use on a weekly basis or wouldn’t mind going without for a month or so. Think kitchen appliances, decorations, and the like.
  -Important! Clearly label each and every box. Write the destination room name and list the big items in the box.
• Change of Address with the Post Office
  You can schedule ahead of time when your mail needs to get diverted to your new address. Do it now to avoid stress later. https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm
• Clean rugs, curtains, and large items and then wrap them to be ready to move.

2 Weeks Before

• Reconfirm with your moving company.
• Think about work
  Schedule any time you need off of work for moving. Add another day for good measure.
• Continue packing
  Continue to pack like you mean it. Your home should start feeling pretty empty at this point. Keep going to avoid the moving day stress! Your garage, attic, sheds, and basement should be finished this week.
• Organize boxes
  Stack boxes in a room next to where the movers will be entering/exiting your home so it will take them less time – they work by the hour, so time saved is money saved! If that space isn’t available, then stack them in a spare room or corner. The garage is ideal.
• Childcare
  Make plans for your kids – either with friends or family who are willing to be very flexible. Moving days are stressful and emotions run high. Give yourself and those around you a little break.

One Week Before

• Meal planning
  Plan your meals for the day before, moving day, and two days after. These meals should either be delivery, non-refrigerated like sandwiches, or ask a few friends for some help! Don’t forget hydration, too!
• Refill prescriptions
  Make sure to refill prescriptions or anything that needs pre-order that you’ll need.
• Transfer services
  Transfer and/or setup all utilities: gas, electric, water, phone, internet, cable, garbage. Newspapers and subscriptions, banks and credit cards, doctors and other professionals.
  
• Plan Amazon delivery
  If there is anything you’ll need to have at the new place the day of moving in, now’s the time to start your shopping cart. Think new sheets, kitchen, maybe bottles of shampoo that will show up like magic…
• Start camping
  Finish packing. Even when you think you’re done, you are not. Have about 5 extra boxes at the ready for the morning of moving day.
• Hit the bank$$
  Plan on getting some cash for tipping the movers. 15% for an awesome job is appreciated. You’ll need cash for food, cash to hand to family/friend to run an errand
• Valuables
  Make sure all valuables are packed away in a few boxes you keep close. Think jewelry, paperwork, school documents for kids, medical records in case someone pulls their back out, etc. When it rains it pours, so be ready!
• Contact movers
  Two days before moving day, contact the moving company to verify and reconfirm all information.
• Reserve times
  If you live in an apartment building/condo/townhouse make sure to give the proper people the heads up you are moving out. Elevators can be reserved, cars/trucks cleared, etc.
• Childcare
  Confirm childcare plans, if applicable.
• Gas
  Fill gas tanks for your drive to your new home tomorrow. You don’t want to be following the moving truck and then have to stop for gas.
• Electronics box
  Have one box that contains your TV devices, remotes, routers, etc. Everything that will need setting up ASAP in your new place. Label as such.
• Cable boxes
  Don’t forget to return your cable boxes and remotes!
• Make a to-go bag: plastic silverware and paper plates, napkins, paper towels for cleaning, lysol wipes and disinfectant sprays for quick cleans. DO NOT FORGET TOILET PAPER. Put this all into a bag that will be the first you walk in your new home with.

MOVING DAY!!

Next: Erika’s Ultimate Moving Guide: Moving Day