You found the perfect house or apartment, signed the contract, and it’s time to move. Congrats!
But while this is an exciting time, many people find moving into a new home to be a stressful experience. Below we share eight tips on how to make moving less stressful.
1. Start Purging Early
Packing boxes is stressful enough by itself, especially when you come across old clothes or unneeded items.
Before packing, consider a yard sale or donations to local charities. Online marketplaces are helpful, too – and can earn you a few bucks.
2. Call Utilities and Post Office Ahead of Time
There’s nothing worse than showing up at the new place, and the power or water aren’t yet turned on. Ensure you’ve contacted all utility companies well in advance of your move (both to turn off service at the old address, and turn on at the new address.)
Another tip on how to make moving less stressful? Update your address with USPS ahead of time.
3. Ask Retailers for Boxes
Moving to a new address can be quite expensive. A great way to cut costs on moving expenses is to get moving boxes for free. If friends and family don’t have any to give you, consider asking local retailers – clothing stores, grocers, even liquor stores – for their extra boxes.
4. Spend a Few Days Prepping the New Place
When moving into a new place, you want it primed and ready. Before you even set down your first box, spend a day or two prepping your new home: change locks, toilet seats, and hang curtains. If the walls need minor repairs (picture hook holes, etc.) take the time to do this before you start hanging your photos.
5. Create a “Moving Kit”
There’s nothing worse than getting into your new house, and someone asks, “where’s the toilet paper?” Consider a dedicated “moving kit” in a box or laundry basket. Include a change of clothes, toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, hand soap, medicines, scissors, tape, and snacks.
6. Label (or Color Code) Every Box
Ensure that you pack boxes by “room” and label them accordingly, so movers leave boxes in their corresponding rooms at the new place. Color-coding works great for this, using brightly-colored stickers: green for the kitchen, blue for the dining room, etc.
7. Set Aside Valuables
Don’t let your valuables mix in with less-important things like towels or clothes. Keep cash, jewelry, and vital documents (like birth certificates) in their own dedicated, well-marked box. And keep a close eye on this box until it’s in the new home.
8. Heavy Items Go Into Small Boxes
If you load a big box with books, chances are you won’t be able to lift it (and you may even injure yourself.) To save stress while moving, remember that big boxes are for light objects (like pillows) and small boxes are for books, glassware, etc.
How to Make Moving Less Stressful? Hire Us!
Moving doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. In fact, it should be fun. To make your moving experience stress-free, give us a call, and we’ll do the work for you.
