How To Plan Your Move Into a New Home
Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, but the process of packing, organizing, and transporting your belongings can be stressful if not properly planned. Without a clear strategy, you might find yourself scrambling to get everything packed in time, misplacing important items, or even leaving things behind.
Thankfully, the team at Superior Storage is here to help you sort out your moving process with a plan that keeps you and your family on track to be ready for moving day.
Create Your Strategic Move-In Plan
Having a plan you and the entire family can follow will make your entire moving process easier.
Start by establishing your timeline. It is best to give yourself several months to prepare, so you can gradually pack your belongings from your old home without any major disruption to your lifestyle until the moving day comes close. Of course, you may not have that much time to plan your move, but even for the smallest homes, we advise at least two weeks of time be set aside for room packing and organization.
From there, we recommend packing the rarely used items, like spare bedsheets and kitchen supplies, first so they’ll be ready well in advance. After that, try to go room by room as you pack up your home so one area is fully packed before moving on to the next.
Your Moving Out Checklists
Lists are your friend throughout the moving process. You’ll want to create a packing list for each room you tackle, but an overall to-do list will also help make sure no loose ends are missed.
As you deconstruct your home, be sure you:
- Pack rarely used items first. This keeps your everyday essentials accessible for as long as possible.
- Check behind appliances for neglected belongings. Small items can easily fall behind the fridge, stove, or washing machine.
- Measure your new space. Avoid moving unnecessary items by confirming what furniture and appliances will fit in your new home.
- Label boxes clearly. Write the room name and a brief description of the contents on each box for easy unpacking.
- Disassemble large furniture ahead of time. Save space in the moving truck and make transportation easier.
If you are moving out of state, there are a few more steps you should take to be ready on move-in day:
- Set up utilities at your new home. Arrange for electricity, water, gas, and internet before you arrive.
- Notify your employer. If your job requires relocation paperwork, make sure it’s completed ahead of time.
- Find a new health care provider. Research and compare local doctors, dentists, and pharmacies in your new area.
- Transfer or cancel local memberships. If you have a gym, library, or club membership, update or cancel them accordingly.
How To Start Packing To Move
Like most big tasks, the hardest part is often getting started. Starting early is always the best strategy. In fact, we recommend you start creating your moving plan the day you decide to find a new home rather than the day you sign. This will give you more time to start packing things away, as the time between signing and moving in can often go by quickly.
Declutter first. You don’t want any garbage getting in your way as you pack, and you certainly don’t want to take time packing anything you’d rather not bring. Our recommendation is to get three boxes or buckets and label them as “keep,” “donate,” and “trash” to make sorting easy.
Finally, we recommend setting aside an essentials box for important things like your toothbrush, phone charger, and important documents. This will make it easy to keep track of them so they are not accidentally packed until the very last box before you move.
Be Ready for Your Move With a Self Storage Unit From Superior Storage
A self storage unit can open up more flexibility in your moving process. By moving your belongings into a unit rather than directly to your new home, you can spread the packing process across months instead of days. This also allows you to declutter your home before listing it for sale or make space while you are deep cleaning before moving day. With enough planning, you can even save money on your moving company by reducing the number of trips or truck space needed.
Our self storage units are available in a variety of sizes, with climate-controlled and drive-up access options to fit your needs. If you need a small space for seasonal belongings or a large unit for furniture and appliances, our affordable storage solutions can help reduce the stress of your move.
Visit your nearest Superior Storage facility to find the right fit for your belongings before your next move.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to a New Home
The cost of hiring a moving company depends on a few factors, such as the distance of the move, the size of your home, and whether you need additional services like packing or furniture disassembly. Local moves typically cost between $300 and $1,500, while long-distance moves can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the distance and load size.
The cheapest way to move cross-country depends on how much you are moving and how quickly you need to arrive. Here are a few cost-saving options:
– Rent a moving truck. Companies like U-Haul allow you to transport your belongings yourself for a lower cost.
– Ship your belongings. If you have minimal furniture, consider shipping boxes via freight services.
– Declutter before the move. The fewer items you bring, the cheaper your move will be.
When comparing moving companies, consider their pricing, customer reviews, and included services. Some companies offer full-service moves, including packing and unpacking, while others provide only transportation.
It is important to assess your budget and how much you’d like to have moved by the company. You may be able to save money by moving your smaller items in your personal vehicle or by renting a storage unit, allowing you to finish your move over the coming weeks after most of your belongings have arrived at your new home.