Make a perfect moving checklist

It’s time − you’re about to move! While you’re looking forward to starting a new chapter in your life, you are certainly not that much excited about moving. It can be a really tough job, sometimes even downright boring. With all the things that need to be done and sorted out, it’s hardly an enjoyable process. You need to go through all your belongings and decide what to keep and what to leave behind, you need to manage all your utilities and subscription plans, you should find out more about your new neighborhood… Hold on! The worst thing you can do is just go through all of that without any plan or systematic approach. You should start right. You should start with a moving checklist! Read on to learn how to make a perfect moving checklist. 

How do you write a moving checklist?

Remember, when making a checklist it’s all about a systematic approach to the issue at hand. You’re making your checklist to sort things out. You need to go through all the steps in an orderly manner. So keep in mind that this is your game plan, this is what will help you stay organized and avoid getting overwhelmed. A moving checklist serves to track progress and not let anything be overlooked and not taken care of. It should include every single task, from smaller ones like getting packing supplies to the most important ones like finding top-rated NYC movers. When you want to create a moving checklist, you should first divide it into the three main phases: before the move, packing, and upon arrival.

Before the move

The biggest obstacle in this phase can be a tendency to procrastinate and never get started. Both experts and those who suffer from procrastination agree that the hardest part is to just get started. It may even go quite easily once you’ve actually started. However, it’s pretty difficult to get to that point for some people – to even start. This problem plays a major role when it comes to complex and time-consuming tasks, such as moving. It’s not something you could get over within just a day or in a few hours.

This is why it’s important to start early. Don’t underestimate the tasks and think you’ll do it quickly. Start planning as soon as you learn that you’ll be moving because otherwise, you’re likely to make a pretty common moving mistake. If you’re suffering from this issue, let’s start now by creating your moving checklist! Here are some tasks to add to the list, Phase 1.

Hire movers

Your most important task is to ensure you have the right expert to assist you with moving house. This is what makes or breaks your moving experience so it should be taken care of before anything else. Find a dependable moving company and book them ASAP. Booking early will help you find lower moving rates. It will also allow you to pick a mover you want instead of being forced to pick one that’s available last-minute.

Declutter

Your next task to include when making the ultimate long-distance moving day checklist is decluttering. There are many benefits of decluttering the home before moving, so you should certainly do it. Go through all your stuff and decide whether you’re going to:

• sell
• donate
• pass on to a friend or a family member
• toss away or
• keep

There are several benefits to getting rid of clutter before moving house. First, you’ll save money because moving service charges are based on the overall size or weight of the shipment. Then, you’ll only have what you really like and use once you move instead of being stuck with things you despise in your new home. Decluttering will also help you get a better look at your belongings and figure out what’s worth moving and what’s better left behind.

Sell, donate, gift

Once you’ve sorted out your belongings, it’s time you get rid of them for good. Organize an online and/or offline sale to sell your items. Or pack stuff you want to donate and take them to the chosen institution or charity. There are many charities to which you can donate your old furniture before moving. Eventually, pass on selected items to chosen friends and family. Toss away anything you no longer need.

Group similar items together

Now that you only have those belongings you find truly useful or enjoyable, you should take some time to sort them. Sort the belongings you want to keep and group similar items together.

Gather packing supplies

Get all the moving supplies you need and your movers do not provide. If you’ve opted for full-service, then you won’t have to worry about it. But if you’ve only hired movers to help you load and transport your items, you’ll need to pack on your own. IN that case, get enough moving boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and packing tape.

Double-check with your mover

Check with your moving company if they’re able to transport all your belongings and if they are not, make additional arrangements.

Contact service providers

Your last task within this section is to contact service providers and let them know that you’re about to move. Manage all your utilities and notify the post office and the bank of your address change. Also, make sure you withdraw some money to have cash on hand for the move.

Time to pack

Quite a few issues may arise in this phase, but they can all be managed in the same way: don’t wait to do it at the last minute. Whether you just can’t get everything packed or you’ve found out there’s not enough room for all your stuff in the moving van or you struggle to have all your utilities managed before you move across the country – whatever it is, it could be sorted out with no problem if there was just enough time. So let’s just add some more tasks to your moving to a new city checklist straight away, so that you have plenty of time to handle each of them.

Start on time

If you decide to pack on your own, start a few weeks early. You should pack things you don’t use every day first. Then you can proceed to pack areas of your home that get more traffic like the kitchen and living room. 

Load

Place heavy things in the bottom of moving boxes. You don’t want anything getting damaged or completely crushed by a heavier item. Also, place heavier boxes towards the bottom of the moving truck.

Label

Label moving boxes once you’re done with packing. The process will take just a little bit of extra time but will be greatly helpful once you start unpacking.

Upon your arrival

You must be pretty much relieved at this point and very excited as the time has come and you’re about to start your new life. Meeting new people, exploring your new area, and getting accustomed to your new house almost seems like a vacation, doesn’t it? Actually, it would look like that if you did not have all those boxes to unpack. But the good news is that you’re almost there, you’re almost done and there’s not so much to worry about any longer. So let’s just complete your moving checklist by adding some tasks to Phase 3.

•   Don’t forget to inspect your stuff before signing. Making a home inventory for moving will help you do that.
•   Test phones, alarms, security systems, faucets, etc.
•   Turn on the water heater if needed.
•   The things to unpack first are those you’ll need first – start with your kitchen items or some clothes.

And that’s it, this is your perfect moving checklist! It’s all planned, you now only need to go and execute.

What to do once you’ve moved in

Here are a few more tips though on what to do when you’ve just moved and you’re new in your neighborhood. If this is another part that’s a bit stressful for you, we’ve got you covered.

Introduce yourself

Go and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. No reason to hesitate, they would be happy to find out who’s just moved in next to them.

Strike up a conversation

Just remember to avoid certain topics with new people, such as religion, politics, age, income, and spending habits, and you’ll be just fine. You can always talk about the weather or public events in the area. And don’t miss a chance to pay some compliments if an opportunity arises.

Host a casual gathering

It’s really supposed to be casual. After all, you’ve just moved in and most of your belongings are still unpacked. So no worries, no one’s expecting you to be fancy and it’s not even a point.

Invite people over

When you meet someone who you may have a lot in common with, don’t think twice and invite them over. This is your new life and why not make some new friends?