Creating a Checklist for Moving Day

Moving Day is an incredibly busy day for everyone, and it can also be very stressful. If you are not prepared beforehand, you might miss out on some important steps and may end up making the day even more stressful than it should be. It’s important to have a list ready ahead of time, so that when the day of the move arrives, you are not just relying on your memory to make sure that you have everything done. Here are some things to incorporate into your list to alleviate some of the pressures on moving day.

Two weeks before the move

One of the most important things you will need to get done before moving day is to arrange a place for your kids or pets to be while your household is being packed onto the truck. Kids and pets can be formidable obstacles to movers, whether they are professionals or your friends volunteering to do the job. There is also some danger with all of the heavy objects being lifted and attention being focused on the job and off of the kids.
You should begin packing some of your things early, so that you are not rushed in the final week. Pack up any books you have, as well as anything you have in the attic and any clothes that you aren’t going to be wearing (sweaters and other cold weather wear in the summer, shorts and warm weather wear in the winter). Remember that books can really add up in terms of weight, so keep the boxes small.
Start thinking about planning your meals around what you have left in the house. Canned goods in particular can be really heavy in a box, so it is really good if you can cut down the food that you will have to pack and will have to be moved on moving day.
As you begin packing, clearly print on the boxes which room they will be going in. This will help a lot when you unpack, as you won’t have to run room to room with different boxes. A lot of people actually color code their boxes, which can be even more helpful to the movers.
Cancel your services. You want to get this out of the way as soon as possible, to make sure you don’t get charged for a month when you aren’t living in the residence. The cable, internet, and other non-essential services can be cancelled whenever you want, but you will want to keep your phone line activated until after you have moved out. You might need it on the day of the move.
Take an inventory of your goods as you pack. Note any damage before the move, and make sure your list is dated in case you need it as proof.

What not to pack

There are a few things that you don’t want to put in boxes before the move, including your vacuum cleaner, a broom and dustpan, and some household cleaners. You’ll need all this equipment to shine the place up after the furniture is out.
Don’t forget to leave out toiletries and sets of clothes, depending on how long the move is going to take you. Also leave out at least one phone.

The day before the move, you should have your freezer set to defrost, if it is going to be moved the next day. Even if it isn’t, it won’t hurt to clean it out properly for the new owner.

Moving day

The first thing you want to do today is to disassemble anything that can be before the move. Beds, office chairs, drum sets, and bookshelves all fit in here.
Take doors off of their hinges. This will make it a lot easier for the movers to get in and out with your goods.
Make sure that the truck can be parked close to the building, to cut down on the trip. You should also make sure there are no obstacles along pathways the moving crew will be traveling.
When the moving crew arrives, they will probably want a walk through. Give them a map to the new house and a map to the floor plan which clearly labels the rooms in the same way you have labeled the boxes. Make sure they know which boxes contain fragile items, and which items you have left unpacked need to be handled with care.
Treat your crew with respect. Let them know of anywhere they can eat lunch, and offer them water or soda throughout the day.

After you’re moved in

Give your new house a once-over cleaning before you start to unpack. There are some corners you will not be seeing again until your next move!
Unpack essentials first; bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms.

Keep an inventory as you unpack, and note anything that may have been damaged. This is a pretty rare occurrence, as companies make their livelihoods through referrals and professionalism, but you want to make sure you have your bases covered.

Moving day can be very stressful, but preparation beforehand will ensure that some of the pressure is alleviated. Using a good list is the first step in the right direction!

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