Starting off the New Year with a household move

There is no better way to start the new year than with fresh plans and ideas about the future. Since you’ve made a tremendous decision to move house, we are glad to share with you our comprehensive moving checklist that may guide you through your relocation process.

If one of your new year’s resolutions was to move to another city or state, we are here to support you and help you have a pleasant moving experience.

How to stay organized during the household move?

A positive outcome of the move is something that you can hope for if you start planning and organizing your move on time. Even if being organized doesn’t come naturally, hopefully the following tips will help you overcome the moving stress and difficulties and help you have a successful household move.

The amount of moving tasks you are expected to complete may seem overwhelming and discouraging. We are offering some great hints on how to create your unique moving schedule that will help you stay on track in terms of your moving-related responsibilities. Having a detailed checklist by your side is very important, since you are likely to forget some crucial things in the middle of the moving hustle and bustle.

An ultimate moving to-do list

* Plan your activities in advance by making a week by week moving checklist. Not only will a comprehensive

checklist help you make the most of your time, but will also keep a moving stress at bay.

* Set your priorities and know exactly which tasks should be completed first.

* Create a moving budget so as to establish which moving services you can afford and how much this move will cost you.

* Research moving companies, get several quotes and choose the one that suits your standards. Don’t make rush decisions, give yourself enough time to check their background, online ratings and reviews.

* Know how to identify fraudulent moving companies.

* Notify other people that you are moving out. Inform relevant service providers that you are going to change the address.

* Make an inventory of your household possessions so as to check which items require special attention, additional insurance.

* Manage your packing process wisely. Don’t waste your precious time and energy by packing things you don’t need any more. An upcoming household move gives you a perfect opportunity to get rid of any unwanted or unnecessary items. Go through your inventory list and don’t hesitate to leave behind items that you haven’t been using lately.

* Get quality moving boxes. Plain cardboard boxes should be used carefully, since they cannot hold too much weight. On the other hand, sturdy moving boxes will serve the purpose and keep your items safe during the transit.

* Keep all moving-related paperwork and valuables with you on your moving day.

* Stock up on some quality packing supplies like bubble wrap, padding and cushioning material, packing tape.

* Have utility services up and running at your new home before your arrival. Also, arrange the cancellation date at your old home – you don’t want to be paying for the services you are not using any more.

* Pay your remaining bills before you leave the house.

* If your new home is within driving distance, you may consider visiting it a few days prior to the move and take some basic supplies for the next couple of days until you get settled. Also, it would be a good idea to measure the dimensions of the doorways and rooms so as to check whether your items will fit.

* Research schools and medical institutions in your new city.

* Have medical and school records transferred to the relevant institutions in your new city/state.

* If you are moving a pet make sure you take records and medical prescriptions with you after performing a complete check-up.

* If you decide to pack and move by yourself, you will need some help, so make sure you ask your friends in advance whether they are available and willing to help you out.

* Have your car serviced if you are driving to your new home. If not, contact a reputable auto shipper who will take care of it and advise you on further steps.

* Make your travel arrangements especially if you are going to need a place to stay overnight. Avoid driving at night, especially if your moving day happens to be during the winter months.

* Have your essentials box handy at all times until you get settled.

* If your new house is not ready, but you still have to move out, consider renting a short-term storage area.

* Organize a farewell party and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Don’t let the moving stress overwhelm you and make you forget what’s really important.

* Research your new city/neighborhood in advance and find out more about its amenities. Also, make your kids feel excited about the upcoming move.

* Have a good night’s sleep before the moving day so as to be able to get up early and get to work.

* Your kids and pets shouldn’t het in the way of your movers NYC, so have your neighbor or family member take care on them on moving day.

* Clean your old place after everything’s packed and ready.

* Keep calm on the moving day, maintain a positive attitude and have a safe trip to your new home.

* Introduce yourself to the nee neighbors as soon as you settle into your new home. They will be able to recommend some nice places to visit.

* Get acquainted with your new city/neighborhood. Instead of being immersed in unpacking all the time, take a walk around your new neighborhood and discover its resources.

* Arrange and decorate your new place to your liking and make it feel like home as soon as possible.

Packing to-do list

Packing is probably the most time-consuming task and it deserves a special attention when it comes to moving preparations.

* Start packing as early as possible. Put together a comprehensive packing list and try to stick to it as much as possible.

* Sort through your belongings and purge the items you don’t need any more. A massive clear-out will actually save you time and money in the long run.

* Dispose of all unwanted items by organizing a garage sale, donating or throwing them away.

* If you have a huge property and demanding possessions, you may want to hire professional packers, if your budget allows.

* Mind the list of non-allowable items – perishables, fuels, oils, batteries, loaded guns, paints, pesticides, chemicals, open and half-used food, plants.

* After you have established which items are worth moving you will know approximately how much moving supplies you need.

* Gather quality packing supplies – various sized moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, padding material, plastic wrap, markers, packing tape.

* There are places where you can get cardboard boxes for free – restaurants, liquor stores, bookstores, grocery stores, in your office…But other than plain cardboard boxes, you may opt for plastic stackable bins that offer additional protection and safety.

* First pack the rooms and items you use rarely (off-season belongings) and large pieces of furniture.

* When disassembling furniture, keep all small parts together attached to a bigger one.

* Take pictures of your furniture and electronics before you start dismantling them.

* Make one room a packing station while others can be accessible and clutter-free.

* Always reinforce the bottom of the boxes with the packing tape so that they can hold the weight.

* Instead of packing your entire closet, use wardrobe boxes to move your clothes without folding, unfolding and ironing your clothes once you reach your new place.

* Label boxes with fragile items so that your movers or helpers know how to handle them.

* The rule of thumb – small boxes are used for packing heavy items, while large boxes should accommodate lighter items. And remember, making a moving box too heavy won’t take you anywhere.

* Prevent your items from sliding inside the box by filling an empty space with bubble wrap and padding materials.

* Mark each box according to its content and destination room.

* Use original packaging to pack your electronics, since they provide the best protection.

* Some delicate items like antiques, collectibles and figurines require special handling so you are expected to use a generous amount of bubble wrap and packing paper and wrap each item separately.

* Pack an essentials bag and keep it handy in case you need snacks, clean clothes, towels or toiletries while on the road.