By Kelli Brewer
Tips For Moving Day: What To Plan For
Making the decision to move is a big one, and it comes with a ton of planning and preparation. From how to know which movers to hire to finding smart ways to pack, getting ready for a move is a lot of work and can be overwhelming if you’re unprepared. It’s a good idea to start with some lists; this will keep you focused and cut down on the anxiety as you get closer to the big day. Getting organized will help you manage your stress and allow you to delegate some jobs to your friends and family in order to take some of the burden off your shoulders.
It will also help to come up with a plan for moving day. Will the kids have somewhere to go where they’ll be out of the way and safe? What about pets? Is there someone who can stay behind at the old house to clean up? Thinking about these details now will save you quite a bit of grief down the road. Here are a few great tips to help you get started.
Find Your Movers
Some people choose not to go with professional movers, and that’s okay. However, if you’re moving quite a distance from your current home or have a lot of belongings, it’s going to take some movers to help you get everything safely to the new house. Do some research to find the best ones in the area and find out what their rates are; most moving companies charge a flat rate per hour plus a fee for distance. Set a budget, and use a handy calculating tool to figure out exactly how much you’ll need to set aside for the helpers.
Pack Smart
Packing smart will help alleviate stress, so have materials on hand in advance, including a marker and scrap paper. Make packing lists as you fill boxes and tape them to the outside so everything will be easy to find once you get to the new house. Leave boxes in the rooms they go in until the last minute in case you need to make changes. Set aside 10 or 12 boxes for moving day for last-minute items such as medicine, food, cleaning supplies, and electronic devices.
Plan for the Pets
If possible, arrange for someone to take care of your pets during the move. Not only will this give you peace of mind about their safety so you can focus on other things, it will keep them from getting underfoot during your busy day. If there’s no one to take your pets, keep them in a back room on moving day with the door closed. Leave them water, food, toys, and maybe a television or radio to keep them company if there’s no one available to stay with them.
Get the Kids Settled
While older kids can certainly help out on moving day, little ones might add stress to an already anxious undertaking, so arrange for them to stay with a friend or relative while you get things in order. Give older children specific jobs to do so they’ll be busy, and remember to have plenty of snacks and entertainment handy for their downtime. Bring tablets and chargers to the new house so they’ll have something to do while waiting for the movers.
Eat and Drink!
Everyone will be hungry and thirsty after all that hard work, so keep handy snacks and bottled water around during the day. For dinner, have paper plates and cups, napkins, and plastic utensils at the ready and order a pizza or grab a bucket of chicken. Don’t plan on trying to cook anything because you’ll be too tired when all is said and done.
Moving is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of planning to make it go off without a hitch. Keep communication open with your family so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the plan, and don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. No one can do everything alone!