Before You Move
Before you even start packing, take some time to get organized and prepare. The more organized you are before you start, the more likely you are to stay organized throughout the process—and allieviate some of your stress!
Pare down the stuff
Going through all your belongings might seem a daunting task, but it's well worth the time and effort to donate, sell, or throw away things you don't use, want, or need. The less you have, the less you have to pack and move. And the less you'll need to find a place for in your new home.
Figure out transportation
How will you get yourself and your stuff from old home to new? Many current homeowners (who've collected a lot of stuff over the years) opt to work with a moving company, but that's hardly your only option these days! Companies like Uhaul or Pods provide a variety of options, from rentable trailers and vans to full-service moving pods.
Set up utilities
The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home, only to discover you don't have electricity or heat! Calling utility providers and scheduling a setup or transfer of services now will ensure you're all set when moving day comes. You'll probably also want to schedule a change of address with the post office, too.
Pack Smart with These Tips!
- Reinforce: Nix the free dumpster boxes and invest in some high-quality reinforced boxes—at least for fragile or heavier items.
- Innovate: You don't have to buy expensive packing materials; cushion dishes, glassware, and other breakables with towels, blankets, or even clothing! (Bonus: it saves space, too!)
- Prepare: Create an "Open Me First" box with all the things you'll need ASAP, like cleaning supplies, scissors, tools, toilet paper, soap, and paper dishes.
- Pack by room: Start packing with the least important rooms (like the attic or basement). Designate specific boxes for each room and area, and don't mix. This makes unpacking much easier.
- Label everything: Where does that box go? What's in it? Does it need to be unpacked right away, or can it wait a few days? Labeling will take the guesswork out of unpacking and help you organize and prioritize.
On Moving Day
All right, moving day is here! If you're working with a mover, most of the work will likely be done for you, but there are still a few things you'll need to keep in mind. And if you're moving on your own, well the fun is just beginning!
Recruit some friends
Not using a moving company? Don't haul alone—recuit some friends to help out. Many hands make light work, after all! If this isn't an option, you might try posting a "gig" on Craigslist to hire a couple of movers for the day.
Keep important info handy
If you're working with a moving company, you've got the heavy lifting done for you, but you should still be prepared with information about your mover and shipment, like the Bill of Loading, shipment registration number, and driver contact information.
Take an overnight bag
Pack a personal bag of items you need to have on hand if you reach your new home before your belongings or if for some reason you're required to spend a night in a hotel. You might even just be too tired to start unpacking after driving.
After the Move
All right, you and your belongings are here! But before you start unloading and ripping open boxes, there are a few more steps to complete.
Clean first
We can't stress this enough! Cleaning will never be easier than it is right now, with your home empty of furniture, decor, and knickknacks. Cleaning now will save you time and effort later.
Unpack by room
If you packed by room, this should be easy! Simply set those labeled boxes in their appropriate rooms and unpack the most important boxes in the most important rooms first.
Enjoy your new home!
Welcome to Tallahassee—life's good here, so enjoy it!
Your Tallahassee Relocation Resource
Are you considering making a move to the Tallahasse area? We'd love to help! Contact us today or start exploring our home buying and selling resources to learn more about how we can help you relocate to Tallahassee with ease.
Relocating out of Tallahasse? While we're sad to see you go, we'd love to help ensure your transition from old home to new goes off without a hitch.