At Greater Austin Moving, we believe an organized move is a GREAT move! Here are our top ten tips to help you to that end:
1) Notify your utility companies on both ends about one month prior to your move. Disconnect services the day after you move and have new service activated several days before you are set to arrive at your new home to ensure coverage on both sides.
2) Submit your change of address with the USPS as well as directly with any of your creditors, subscription holders, etc. one week prior to your move.
3) Start packing away items that you will not need as early as possible. Ideally, if you can begin this process thirty days prior to moving, you will feel less stressed and more organized as move day approaches.
4) Pack an overnight bag containing all of your essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, medications, toiletries and a clean change of clothes.
5) Pack items you will need immediately in clear plastic bins that are easily identified. Items you might include here are charging cords, tools for assembling items, toilet paper, towels, sheets, paper towels, dishes or paper plates for that first meal, utensils, minimal cookware and trash bags.
6) Take box labeling one step further by tagging boxes with color-coded stickers or tape identifying the room in which the boxes are to be placed. For example, Little Johnny’s boxes are labeled in blue, Susie’s in pink, and the kitchen in yellow. Have stickers or signs placed in each room of your new home that correspond with these colors making it easy for your movers to place items where they are needed.
7) Enlist help from friends and family or hire a sitter for your children and pets. Moving can be unnecessarily stressful for these members of your family if they are in the middle of all the action. Having a place for them where they are safe and can even have some fun is priceless!
8) Have a room-by-room plan for unpacking and be reasonable in creating this plan. Taking your time and settling in with an orderly plan may take a little longer, but it will benefit you in the long-run.
9) Part of your plan should include setting up one room, such as the living room or den as quickly as possible so that you and your family will have a retreat from all of the work and boxes when you need a break.
10) Make the first night in your home special. Take time to celebrate your new beginning, and trust that all of those color coded boxes will be ready and waiting for you to unpack based on your room-by-room plan… starting tomorrow!