HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MOVING DAY?

Moving can really be an exciting thing to do. With a different place comes new experiences and adventure. You might jump right at the excitement and this may lead you to think that moving can be done easily. But it actually requires proper planning and organization to help make your move a success. 

To help you plan and prioritize your tasks prior to your move, below is a two-month moving timeline you can refer to to track your progress in your preparation. This can serve as your checklist and guide to avoid forgetting important tasks and processes. 

A. 8 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• Start searching for your ideal home. Check your future neighborhood and look for a place you would like to live. Inquire and check its availability. 
• Do an inventory of your belongings. Choose which of your possessions you still want to keep and which ones you are willing to let go. 
• Decide if you are going to do your own move or if you are hiring a moving company to do it. This will help you in finalizing the tasks on your moving checklist.

B. 6 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• Check your finances if you are ready for your move. It’s important to allot a substantial amount to your moving budget. 
• Make sure to inform the relevant people of your plans to move. These people could be: 
  1. Your landlord 
  2. Your employer 
  3. Your family doctor 
  4. Your children’s teacher or school administrator 
  5. Your bank 

• Scout for your ideal moving companies and start inquiring about their services. If possible, get a quotation as early as 6 weeks before your moving day. This will help you prepare your finances for these expenses. 
• Book your chosen moving company. To secure your date and slot, book your desired moving company as early as you can. This way, you can avoid higher rates on peak seasons. 

C. 4 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• Make sure to secure all important documents. These could be medical records and your children’s school records. 
• Decide which things to keep and which ones to leave or let go. Segregate your possessions and get rid of unimportant and unnecessary items. This will help free up space in your new home and also free your load on your moving day. 
• Prepare your packing supplies and start packing. You may start packing things you will not use on your moving day. 
• Cancel your subscriptions. You wouldn’t want to be charged for services you are no longer getting. 

D. 2 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• If you are doing your own move, allot a day for car service and check up. This will help ensure that you will have safe and smooth transport on the day of your move. 
• For an overseas move, book your ticket in advance. This will cost you less and will also give you enough time to look for overseas movers. 
• Change your address with the United States Postal Services. It is important to update your address to keep receiving your mail, deliveries and packages after your move. 
• Reserve a parking space for your moving truck or car in advance. In your new home, make sure to save the most accessible parking space on the day of your move. This will help make our unloading easier. 
• Set a time to request transfer of your services from your old home to your new home. Arrange a disconnection and transfer of your utilities so you can have them in your new home on your move in day. 

E. WEEK BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• Do your final checks. Make sure to contact your moving company to check and confirm your plan. 
• Make sure your boxes are labeled. This will help ensure that you have packed everything. Labels are also helpful during your unpacking. 
• Separate a box of things you will be needing on your moving day. Your packing supplies must be kept accessible to you. 
• Say your goodbyes. Organize a farewell party and spend some quality time with your close friends before your move. 

F. TWO DAY BEFORE MOVING DAY 

• Get some rest. You’ll be getting up early on your moving day and surely you’ll be doing a lot. Conserve your energy and make sure to get enough sleep and rest. 
• Check all the corners of your house, see if there are anything else forgotten. Do one final sweep and see if there are any other items left unpacked.
• Do a last alignment with your movers and provide them with all the information they need. Make sure to give your truck driver the exact address of your old and new home along with your active phone number. 
• Do a final read through of all your moving documents before you sign them. Make sure that you have reviewed and signed all necessary paperwork. 
• Ready some cash. You might need this for some last minute payments or simply for tipping your movers if you are satisfied with their work. 
• Clean and tidy your old place. This has been your home for the past years. Leave it the way you found it. 

Anyone can come up with their own checklist. This is not a one size fits all. Make sure that you modify the tasks and items in this list to perfectly meet and align with your personal needs and requirements. The best way to prepare for your move is to personalize your moving strategy, timeline and checklist. This way, you can plan for the perfect move for you.