Whether you’re moving a house or an apartment, there’s much to think about and plan for—from packing up your belongings, to finding the right moving company, to making sure all the paperwork is in order. To make your move as easy as possible, here is a list of things to help you stay organized:
Update your address with the necessary parties
Update your important contacts about your move. Reach out to family and friends and let them know what your new address will be. Let your employer know you’ll be moving and fill out any necessary forms to update your information. Update your address with utility companies, the DMV, banks, and credit card companies. Reach out to any insurance providers and update your address—this includes everything from car insurance to the life insurance company you have a term life insurance policy with. Finally, set up mail forwarding if needed.
Price out movers ahead of time
If you plan on hiring movers, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several moving companies before making a decision. Once you have your quotes, research the companies you’re considering—read reviews from others who have worked with them. Dates get booked up, especially at the beginning of the month, so consider reserving a spot early.
Create and stick to a schedule
Moving comes with a lot of steps, so it’s helpful to create an organized plan to keep you on track throughout the process. Divide tasks up into manageable chunks of work. Create a timeline and set deadlines for yourself. If you’re moving with other people, assign them tasks and due dates as well.
Pack non-essentials first
When it comes time to pack, start by boxing up items you won’t need during your transition, such as out-of-season clothes or decorations. As you get closer to moving day, begin packing essential items like dishes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies so you can easily access them when it’s time to unpack. Consider packing a bag of essentials for moving day—toiletries, a change of clothes, a phone charger, medications, and anything else you’ll need right away. As you pack, label and number each box clearly—this will make unpacking easier.
Do a final walkthrough of your old place
Before you leave for good, spend some time doing a final walkthrough of your old home to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Walk through each room and check for items that might have been left behind in closets or cabinets. Ensure that your move out cleaning services meet the needs of your landlord’s cleaning requirements. Take photos in case there are any issues or questions about your security deposit later. Be sure to return any keys to the landlord before leaving.
Do a walkthrough of the new space
Once you’re at your new place, it’s time to do another walkthrough. Take pictures, particularly if you’re renting, so you have a record of what the place looked like when you moved in. Let the movers know where they should put any large items. Make sure the utilities are working and check the Wi-Fi signal.
Once you’ve covered all your bases, you’re ready to start cleaning and unpacking. Before you know it, your new place will feel like home.