Moving from one home to another is not for the faint-hearted. It requires thoughtful advanced planning and preparation. The better organized you are, the less likely you are to make mistakes.

Here is a checklist of helpful tips to make Moving Day as stress-free as possible.

Two Weeks before the Move

• Create a moving inventory list. It is important to note the condition of items that are being moved by the movers, like furniture.
• Change your mailing address including bills, utilities, doctors, dentists, etc.
• Make one last grocery store run to avoid throwing out food on the big day.
• Begin packing – it will take longer than you think.
• Pack with care and be sure to mark boxes with breakables as fragile.
• Label boxes while packing and be specific. Label what is inside and where they will need to go at your new place to make unpacking easy.
• Donate items you don’t want or never use to a thrift shop or charity organization.
• Arrange child or pet care for the day of your move so there is one less thing to worry about once the movers show up.

Day before the Move

• Pack an overnight bag. You will be too tired to find anything that first night.
• Put any other items you want accessible in a clear bin so you can find them right away (toilet paper, paper towels, phone chargers, power strips, trash bags, etc.)
• Disassemble all furniture that needs it in order to be moved.
• Put all small parts such as bolts, screws, etc. of disassembled furniture somewhere safe, like in a plastic Ziploc bag that has been securely taped to the furniture it belongs to.
• Unplug all of your large appliances so they are ready to go— washer, dryer, and fridge, if possible.
• Put all cords in a gallon size Ziploc bag (electrical, extension, etc.) so they are easy to find on the other end.
Moving Day
• Make sure everything is packed before your movers arrive.
• Take the time to make your movers aware of any items that need special care.
• Do a final walk through to make sure nothing has been left behind.
• If there is time, clean what you can before meeting the movers at your new place.

Last-Minute Looks on Moving Day

• Go through the house to make sure you did not leave anything behind.
  Check for any damage the movers may have caused. Document the damage, if any occurred.
• Clean up after the movers—or at least sweep away any debris.
• If you moved out of a rental, do a walk-through of your old place with your landlord so you can address any issues or complaints.
• If you were not renting, do a walk-through with the realtor to make sure your home is ready for its new owners.

The Day After

• Do not let yourself get overwhelmed. Just do what you can when you can.
• Start unpacking boxes room by room—it seems much less daunting that way.
• Take it easy and enjoy your new home.
• By checking off all the above preparations for you move, you will be relaxing in your new place sooner than you ever thought possible.

Bottom Line: If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to a successful, smooth move. Please be sure to check out our website for other blogs on moving: Choosing the Right Moving Company 11.13.2017 and Protecting Yourself from Moving Company Scams: 5.22.2017. Good luck and happy moving!