How to prepare for a move. It sounds so simple, but there are a lot of moving parts (pun intended!).
As exciting as a move can be, it goes without saying that most moves can also come with some mixed emotions. You may feel excited, nervous and anxious, all at the same time. For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will ever make in their entire life so yes, it’s totally natural to feel at least some level of stress while you’re preparing for a move.
With this said, I’m here to share some top tips on how to prepare for a move. The more prepared you can be, the less stress you’re bound to move. There are specific steps that you can take to make sure your move is organized and runs ahead efficiently. From house hunting all the way through to emptying out your moving truck, here is a breakdown of the things you will need to work through.
GET YOUR PAPERS IN ORDER
The first step in how to prepare for a move involves organizing all of your paperwork – anything hard copy or digital format should be stored in the same place so it’s very easy to access when you need it. This could include copies of your agreement of purchase and sale as well as the corresponding documents, any legal documents, notes, checklists, quotes and more.
It’s a good idea to create a master to do list or work back schedule to keep yourself and the deadlines associated with your move organized.
How to prepare a move doesn’t end with you. If you’ve sold a home in addition to buying a new one, the new owners would very much appreciate any useful information such as any applicable warranties, codes, keys etc. If the home had any nuances that you think they should be aware of, don’t hesitate to include a letter in the folder for them. It’s a nice way to “pay it forward”.
BOOK YOUR MOVING TRUCK
You may think you have lots of time for this, but depending on the date of your move, sometimes trucks can be in VERY high demand. How to prepare for a move should include your truck rental at the top of your list. It’s also important to consider the size of the vehicle that you’re going to need. The last thing you’ll want on your move day is extra trips back and forth.
As a word of thumb, it’s generally a good idea to book your moving truck at least six to eight weeks before your move. In addition, make sure you get a few quotes and ask questions about the trucks:
– “is mileage extra?”
– “are dolleys included?”
– “is there a lift gate?”
If you’re moving in or out of a condo, try to book the elevator around the same time that you book your truck rental.
If you don’t have any family or friends available to help you with your move, or you just don’t want to worry about moving any of your items, you may also want to consider hiring professional movers. Just as you would with booking a truck, get a few quotes and make sure you get them in writing. It’s very important to understand what you’re being quoted for in terms of cost, time and any potentially hidden fees. Referrals are helpful making this decision as well.
START CLEARING OUT ANY CLUTTER
How to prepare for a move also includes cleaning up and clearing out anything you don’t need anymore. Haven’t worn something in over a year? Donate it. Old school work or art projects from your childhood? Maybe it’s time to part ways with it. Aside from donating clothing/goods, keep in mind any environmentally friendly options that may exist for this part of the process.
Part of what can make moving so stressful is the emotional attachment that we develop – not only for the homes where we live, but also for the items we accumulate over time. Moving gives us a great opportunity to purge any of the things we don’t need or use anymore – to make room for some of the things we may require within our new home.
OBTAIN SUPPLIES
Now is a good time to start stocking up on items such as packing tape, paper, markers and yes, BOXES. You may be able to obtain some of these things from your moving company, if that’s the route you’re headed in. If not, you can often stock up on boxes from grocery stores, pharmacies or the LCBO. Make sure you also plan on newspaper or bubble wrap for any delicate items such as dishes, glassware etc.
PLAN AHEAD FOR ANYTHING YOU NEED AT YOUR NEW HOME
How to plan for a move doesn’t only include packing up your old home, you also need to think about anything and everything you may need for your new home, especially if it includes any renovations or new furniture.
When I bought the home I am currently in, we planned a major reno (which you may have read about in one of my past blogs). We had a fairly lengthy closing of about three and a half months – but what I didn’t realize was how long it would take to get custom cabinetry in. Unfortunately, I didn’t look into this in time and couldn’t back up the timing on our reno to wait. As such, the compromise was that I had to use maple inside the kitchen cabinets and a different finish on the outside. There was simply no way to get them in under six to eight weeks time from that provider.
While a reno may not be in the cards for you, new furniture may be. Again, it’s important to keep in mind how long things can take. When I bought my first house, most of the furniture arrived one to two weeks after moving in but the coffee table took over three months.
Another point I wanted to make was to be very careful about your spending during this window of time especially if you’ve purchased a new home vs. renting. If you rack up any consumer debt, buying furniture or anything else, it could compromise your spending. If you do require a large amount of items, it may be a good idea to try to borrow money in the short term if you don’t have it available rather than using a credit card.
NOTIFY SERVICE PROVIDERS
How to prepare for a move without notifying all of your service providers – this includes everything from your municipal taxes and insurance to your utilities. Aim to set up accounts for your new home about one month before your move to avoid losing service for any period of time.
Keep a spreadsheet of all of the service providers you need to contact, their contact information as well as notes on who has been contacted and who may need to be followed up with.
ADDRESS UPDATES
In addition, you’ll also need to update your address where you work, with the Canada Revenue Agency, your home/auto insurance companies and any subscriptions. If you have any children, there could be applicable address updates with them as well (e.g. school, health card etc.)
START PACKING
When you start packing, things start to feel very real, don’t they? How to prepare for a move is a daunting task, but you know you’re nearing the end of the tunnel once you reach this point on the path.
Depending on how much time you have leading up to your move, try to pace yourself with your packing. Make sure you’re very clear about labeling them along the way and indicating “this way up” if required.
FOLLOW UPS
As you head into the final week before your move, this is the right time to follow up with your lawyer (if they haven’t already followed up with you), along with your mortgage provider, moving company, cleaner and/or anyone else you’ve engaged to support you with your move.
Since moving is a big day, you may not have immediate access to some of your personal belongings until you unpack. As such, pack an overnight kind of bag with toiletries, medications, clothing etc. that you’ll need right away and need easy access to.
It’s also a good idea to have another box with toilet paper, a shower curtain, hand towel, dish soap, sponges/rags, cleaning supplies, pet products and a tool box. In terms of food/drinks, make sure you’ve got lots of water bottles as well as stuff for breakfast, even if it’s just the basics until you can do a big shop.
DAY OF YOUR MOVE
Wow, you’ve made it. You’re big day is finally here! This will likely be the most stressful day of the process since it involves A LOT. Not only are you moving out of your old home, you’re also moving into your new home. That’s tons of work within the same day.
To keep your energy up, make it a priority to eat and drink lots of water. How to prepare for a move doesn’t only involve planning and preparation for your home, it also includes taking care of yourself (and your family) along the way!
There is no butts about it – moving is hectic, but planning ahead will definitely make it a whole lot less stressful. An efficient and organized move starts and ends with a proper plan that you stick through.
I hope this work back schedule has been helpful as you figure out how to plan for a move. If you’re thinking of finding your next home, let’s talk. I can be reached at 647.896.6584, by email at info@serenaholmesrealtor.com or by filling out this simple contact form.
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