Creating a Moving Checklist
The first thing a person should do when they have decided to move is to make a list. It will probably be the first of many lists in the following months of selling, donating, giving away, and finally, moving your belongings. But it’s important to create a sort of plan for your move.
A moving checklist is generally just a comprehensive plan of the things you need to do before, during, and after a move. In order to create the ultimate moving checklist, you’ll need to understand the entire process in advance. Follow along to read more about how you can make the most effective moving checklist for your next big life step.
Starting Your Moving List
Moving is usually quite a big change in your life. You’re leaving one place, and you’re off to a new start. However, it can be difficult to even conceive of this drastic change when you have a lot of items to move.
You have to be organized in order to move, and what’s the best way to get organized? Create a checklist of the things you need to accomplish to reach your ultimate goal. But it can’t be just any checklist you write down in your notebook one day and forget about.
Keeping Time in Mind
You want to be able to go back and reference your checklist without much hassle because it’s basically going to function as your moving guide. You can start by writing down ideas you have for your move.
If you want to host a yard sale or go through your things to find donations, you’ll want to write that down on your initial draft of ideas. This is because you need to set aside time before the move to go through your belongings and potentially plan a yard sale.
When you’re done brainstorming, you should head to your phone or computer to type your initial ideas down. Make sure you can access it easily. Preferably, you should be able to look at the document on your phone so that you have it on you whenever you need it.
Other Things to Consider for Your Moving Checklist
It’s important to plan most aspects of your move. If you don’t, you might find yourself overwhelmed and packing at the last possible minute. This isn’t the ideal situation, especially if you’re trying to start a new life in a new place. The transition won’t be smooth, or even easy, if you don’t plan.
Fix Minor Home Repairs
Whether you’re moving from a house or an apartment, you should probably check around the area where you live currently for any possible damage to the property. This is especially true for those who are renting an apartment. Fixing up marks on the walls or any other minor home repairs can save your security deposit.
Find Your Moving Company
Additionally, you’ll want to research professional movers. If you have large pieces of furniture or a lot of belongings in general, you’ll want to hire a professional moving service. You’ll want to find trustworthy movers with experience and expertise to move your items.
Once you’ve found your moving company, you need to figure out what it’s going to cost to move your life from one place to another. Depending on the size of the move and which company you choose to do it, the price range you can expect is anywhere from 800 to 2,500 dollars.
Based on what you can afford, you might have to sell some extra stuff or cut back on the amount of help you get from professionals. Once you’ve figured out how much it will cost you to move, you can plan your moving day and get to packing!
How to Move Out
Once you’ve sold or donated your unwanted items, it’s time for you to start packing the items you want to move with you. You’ll need to add moving supplies to your checklist (which will also affect the overall cost of moving).
You’ll want to at least have enough boxes to fit all of your belongings, as well as packing tape, bubble wrap or styrofoam packing peanuts, and a sharpie or labeler. These will help you keep your belongings organized and safe from potential damage.
Research packing hacks and tips to make packing your boxes a little easier. Some items might not need to go in a box at all. For example, you can cover the hangers of clothes with trash bags instead of filling boxes with them.
Make sure to know what is in each box. This will make the unpacking process much easier on you as well. In fact, we suggest packing things by room. This is why you need a sharpie or a labeler. When you’re done with each box, write down what is in each of them or where they are from (bedroom, office, etc.) to help you organize after the move.
Other Important Moving Checklist Items
Make sure to gather all of your important documents, like passports and birth certificates in one place. You’ll want to have a folder or binder of these legal documents on you rather than in the moving truck, just in case.
If you have children, take care of any matters concerning changing schools, doctors, etc. Additionally, arrange for electricity, internet, and gas services to be turned on or installed in your new home.
Once you get closer to the big day, start eating everything in your refrigerator and cabinets. Usually, it’s not worth it to move food and other perishable items that you could easily replace on your next grocery trip. But try to eat as much as you can so it doesn’t all go to waste.
The Ultimate Moving Checklist
Now that you have an idea of what it takes to make the ultimate moving checklist, get started on your own. And if you live in the Chicagoland area or in Illinois, get Pack-Men Movers to help you out.
We’re a full-service moving company that is family owned and operated. We primarily serve Chicago and its suburbs but we also do moves within the rest of the state of Illinois as well. For more information and a free quote, visit our website.
