Moving Tips For Even the Seasoned Pro
There’s a reason it’s a four-letter word. Most people would rather be tortured than go through this process. But as evidenced by the influx of people into the Denver area, many are willing to pull up their roots and relocate to the Mile High City. Yep, it’s time to MOVE!
According to move.org, just 11 percent of Americans embarked on a move (the lowest since the U.S. Census Bureau began keeping records in 1948). But Colorado is still a favored destination, ranking 10th on the list of states to which people are moving. Idaho and Nevada are #1 and #2.
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There are few chores that strike such fear in people as the moving process. It forces one to get completely organized and evaluate what life’s ”necessities” are really just that. Whether you are moving into a new apartment, condominium or house, figuring out what travels and what doesn’t can be time-consuming but not overwhelming if done correctly.
Pack your Stuff
People are not only apprehensive about packing up all their “stuff” only to unpack it again but also turning over their prized possessions to the movers. For small moves, it’s probably more cost-efficient to suck up your pride and view it as a DIY project. I remember my many moving escapades using friends’ pickup trucks and tarps to avoid the price tag that comes with moving. However, the more established you are, the more likely you’ve accumulated more items than you care to admit and have to transport a sizable load to your next residence.
Depending on your budget, you can still take on the operation yourself and rent a truck. Rental companies generally charge by the hour and you must pay mileage. If you go this route, it’s best to have your packing completed ahead of time and reserve the truck for the day of the move.
Additionally, many companies now offer moving containers in which you can store your boxed belongings. The containers are typically delivered to your driveway or curbside so you can pack at your leisure, usually up to 30 days. When moving day comes, they will pick up the container, and deliver it to your new residence.
Finally, there are the standard moving companies that come to your home to help you with the move. Their services vary from simply loading moving trucks to doing the actual packing.
If you take on the packing process yourself, here are some useful moving tips to make the process go as seamlessly as possible:
Declutter
It’s become one of the most popular catch-phrases of the decade but it’s particularly useful in the moving process. What better time to eliminate “stuff” you haven’t used for the last year or two. If you haven’t worn it for over a year, it’s not worth keeping. If it no longer has special meaning to you, it’s time to get rid of it. The best way of tackling this task, according to the guru of decluttering Marie Kondo, is by categorizing.
In her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” she states to sort by object, in other words, go through all your books at one time or all your clothes or all kitchenware. That way, you won’t get bogged down in one room. While you are sorting through your personal items, have a donation pile as well as a sell pile. Make sure you are committed to having a garage sale; otherwise, toss those items into the charity category.
Moving Companies
If you choose a moving company, make sure you do exhaustive research. Don’t immediately go with the lowest price. To find a reputable mover, check the customer reviews and prepare a list of questions. Are they insured? What is their policy on breakage? Are there any items they don’t move? These people will be in charge of your prized possessions so don’t “assume” they will take good care of them.
Once you select the company, make sure you give them plenty of advance notice of the move (at least a month). During the spring and summer, moving companies get very busy so don’t get left behind because you were slow to schedule. Make sure you have a master calendar for yourself and designate tasks for specific days. Figure out the items you can get packed ahead of time and what will have to wait until a day or two before the move.
Packing and Storage
Start collecting boxes as soon as possible. Make sure to get a variety of sizes and check the sturdiness of the containers. If you are budget-minded, you can probably find some at your local liquor store. Those type of boxes are usually pretty rugged and hold up well. You can’t have enough packing tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and newspaper. Also, for the last minute items that don’t warrant a box, Ziploc bags and reusable grocery bags are good to have handy. It’s also a good idea to take pictures that show how your electronics and computers were hooked up prior to the dismantling. It will make the reassembly much easier.
Boxes should be packed by room. It will make the unloading and unpacking process so much easier. It’s also a good idea to number or color code the boxes so people will know exactly where they belong upon arrival at your new residence.
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Loading Tip
A must: Always load heavy furniture and boxes into the truck first. This helps establish a solid base for your load, ensuring that the weight is distributed evenly and reducing the risk of shifting during transport. By starting with the heaviest items, you can also create a more organized and efficient loading process, making it easier to fit in lighter items later on.
Last but Not Least: The Overnight Bag
Have an overnight bag with your personal items readily available in case moving day ends up being longer than planned. This way, you won’t have to be scrambling to find your pajamas and toothbrush.
