There comes a time in everyone’s lives when they have to move. It could be for financial reasons, relocating for a job or upgrading to a new home, but it’s a hassle either way. You have to pack up all your stuff and arrange for a truck to move it, along with some willing family and friends, and then unpack on the other end. If only there was a better way to do it.
You are in luck because there are effective methods that make moving day less of a hassle. Here is how to move efficiently to a new hoe:
1. Prep moving ahead of time
On the day of a move, it can be stressful. You may think it is no big deal, but without a plan, it will be chaos.
Start a month or two ahead and decide what to use for packing material. You can buy moving boxes or start collecting banana and apple boxes. Consider what fragile items will need protection and keep any newspapers or flyers for wrapping items.
You can also start packing early with things you don’t regularly use. Off-season items are perfect for getting boxed up and when you get a week from moving day, pack all your kitchen items except a few place settings and cookware to get you through the last stretch. These least-used items won’t be missed; you can stack them in your garage or an unused space in your home, ready to move.
2. Use a portable storage container
Storage containers give you time to get everything packed without condensing it into one day. A portable storage container is a clean, secure box brought to your home and is like a moving truck without wheels. You can load it up at leisure and lock it up until moving. Then instead of all the frantic carrying and driving around with your items in the back of a truck or having to pay for movers who may damage your items, you simply have the container company come and pick it up and drop it off at your new home.
They have no-tilt delivery systems that ensure the container is loaded and loaded without tipping, so the contents are always safe. Some companies will even take the locked container and store it at their facility if you need time between moves. Using a portable storage container takes almost all the stress out of moving, so you can concentrate on other things like taking care of your family. And you can keep the container at your new place as long as you like, so there is no rush to get it unpacked.
3. Colour code your boxes
This may seem like a time waster, but it clears up the confusion on the other end of a move. You can tape on a white sticky note and use felt to add colours to every packed box.
This is about being efficient, so pick out enough colours, so every room in the new house is unique. When you start packing, have empty boxes from each colour available so you can sort them properly as you pack. Then when you get to your new place, put a sticky note on the doors or walls of each room with their colour code.
As people bring in boxes and other items, they can quickly figure out where things go and save the extra effort of moving stuff around after the move.
4. Don’t unpack your drawers
This is a mover’s trade secret, and one everyone should adopt. When moving dressers, you usually take out the drawers and carry them separately, so they don’t fall out and get damaged. Instead of taking all the clothes out and putting them into a box, bag or suitcase, use the drawer as the vessel.
You should wrap paper or plastic over the drawers to hold your clothes, which can then be carried separately. They can be put back into the dresser during transport to maximize space and removed while bringing them inside your new place. All your clothes will be ready to go without the need for sorting, folding and putting away. Talk about efficiency!
5. Have an overnight bag for all family members
On moving day, you won’t get too much unpacking done because most of your energy will be used up in the move. To make life easier on the other end, have an overnight bag with all essentials for each family member. This should include the following:
- Sleep clothes
- Toiletries
- Cell phone chargers
- Medication
- Book or other activities for kids
You can make it through the night without rummaging through boxes until the next day.
Moving doesn’t have to be a chaotic experience. Use these tips to move efficiently and enjoy your new adventure, whether moving home or relocating your business.