Moving is one of life’s most stressful activities, so we thought we would share some move management tips to help make your move less stressful. Many people downsize prior to a move to avoid moving unwanted items. The best time to start downsizing is as soon as you have made the decision to move. Start with those items that have very little emotional attachment and in areas that take under an hour to complete, such as a linen closet. Start tagging items to donate, give away or sell.

Eight Weeks Prior to Move

• Contact moving companies and get three estimates. Make sure you are giving them all the same information so you can get an apples to apples estimate.

Four Weeks Prior to Move

• Gather moving materials. U-Haul has a Moving Supplies Calculator to make the job easier.
• Start packing infrequently used items in the garage, storage areas, attic and out of season clothing.
• Number your boxes and start an inventory list. Boxes should be marked with the name of the room and contents on the top and at least 3 sides of the box. If the items are going into storage it’s best to mark all 4 sides for easy retrieval. Be sure to add an extra label that says “STORAGE” if boxes are being split between your home and the storage unit.

Three Weeks Prior to Move

• Notify utilities services. Request that utilities, phone and internet be shut off the day after your move and installed in your new home the day before arrival if possible.
• Call a locksmith and arrange to have locks changed in new home.
• Hire a cleaning company to clean both homes.

Two Weeks Prior to Move

• Complete and submit change of address forms and have mail forwarded or held.
• Update newspaper and magazine subscriptions
• Notify banks and credit card companies.

One Week Prior to Move

• Create an information sheet for the movers with the old and new addresses, directions and cell numbers.
• Finish packing and be sure to set aside suitcase and sufficient clothing for at least one week.
• Create a last-out, first-in box of day-to-day necessities. Bedding, towels, toiletries, toilet paper, basic tools, cleaning supplies, medications, snacks, and a camera to document anything broken during the move.

Moving Day

• Do a walk through before the movers arrive to verify that everything is packed and afterward to make sure that nothing was left.
• Give keys to real estate agent.
• Meet movers at new home & check items off of inventory list as they are unloaded.
• Inspect for damages and photograph relevant items before signing the release/bill of lading.
• Test faucets, toilets, utilities, phones, smoke detectors, security systems and turn on water heater.
• Call Your Tasks – Our Time to help unpack, get settled and hit the ground running!

Planning is the key to managing your move and by taking it one step at a time you can reduce a lot of the stress that comes with any move.