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It’s important to know that when it comes to moving, you should never be negligent. Whereas nowadays moving has become much easier, it’s still something that will probably take the better part of a few months to envision and actually do. With this in mind, you should be aware of the fact that, whether you’re moving for work or for financial reasons, you need to make a plan and stick to it. Here are five tips, from certified NYC movers, about how to make moving feel like a breeze.
- Make a Plan
As mentioned in the introduction, if you’re moving, you definitely need a plan, and that plan should be made a few months in advance of the moving day. If you try to move without a plan, you might find yourself overwhelmed with how much work there is to do. Your plan should include a moving checklist, where you write down what items need to be packed, a plan for researching moving companies, if you’re going to call on the services of such a company, and a budget, so you know how much money you’ll be able to spend on the move.
You can write down your plan and budget either on paper, on your laptop or maybe even on your phone. If you go digital, there are numerous apps out there that can help you, such as Excel or Google Keep, so feel free to choose whichever one suits your needs most. We would especially recommend a budgeting app for when making a budget, as keeping track on every single expense on paper can get a bit tiring.
- Start as Early as Possible
Once you’ve got your plan all laid out, you need to start putting it into action. Your first step should be to decide whether or not you want to call on the services of a moving company, or ask for help from friends and family. Whatever you choose, don’t wait until the last minute, because you might end up moving by yourself, and that’s simply not a good idea. If you’re going to go with a moving company, try to call them as early as possible, since a lot of moving companies tend to be booked months in advance.
The same applies if you’re going to ask for help from friends and family. Don’t just assume they’ll be free when you need them to be, instead, try to ask early on in the moving process if they can help you. If you’re going with this solution, you’ll also probably need to rent a moving van, and while it’s not a complicated process, you should still try to book the van a few weeks or months in advance.
- Notify Your Landlord
If you own your home, then this will not be a problem, as you can’t very well notify yourself of the move. But, if you’re living in a rented apartment or house, then you need to notify your landlord of the move as early on as possible. It’s simply good practice, as landlords need time to find new tenants, and you also probably need a good reference for when signing a contract with your new landlord. Try to plan your move around the same time your lease expires, as moving before that might incur some pretty steep costs.
Besides notifying your landlord, you should also talk to him about disconnecting any utilities that are in your name. A good approach would also be to provide your landlord with last month’s bills, to prove that everything is paid off and that there are no remaining outstanding debts left at the property. Finally, you need to talk about getting your security deposit back.
- Become a Packing Master
After all is said and done, and the big day is fast approaching, you need to start dealing with one of the most important aspect of moving: packing. Start packing at least a week before the movers or your friends arrive, and do so in an organized manner. While in movies you often see people using cardboard boxes for their move, nowadays it’s a much better practice to buy or find plastic ones. Not only will they last longer, but they’re also much better for the environment.
Start by packing room by room, and do your best to label your boxes as accurately as possible. If you don’t, unpacking might become a bit of a nightmare. You can even go a step further and color code those labels based on what room the items inside belonged to. Don’t forget to pack an overnight bag, and be sure to include your toothbrush and at least a spare change of clothes.