Moving Tips

Your Calendar = Your Friend

You can start planning ASAP if you use this old-school tool. Set reminders for everything from canceling magazine subscriptions to planning ways to use up food from your refrigerator. West Metro Relocation can provide food cooler service for local moves. It will keep you from scrambling to get things done at the last minute and help you work more efficiently along the way. All the tips to follow hinge on your master calendar, so consider it a “living document” and add to it (or cross off accomplished tasks) frequently.

Get to Know Your New Home

There are plenty of ways to get to know your new city or neighborhood before you even get there. Before you move, contact the local Chamber of Commerce or City Hall to request a new resident package. These organizations often have sections of their Web sites for new residents that give you insight into where libraries, parks and places of interest are located, how and where to get drivers’ licenses, and other important information.

Your Timeline

Clearly, some moves take more time and planning than others. Apartment dwellers, for example, don’t necessarily have the added stress of trying to sell a home while purchasing a new one. But there are some common to-do items that many of us have to face:

• You’ll need to drop by your local U.S. Post Office for change of address forms and moving guides.
• Notify gas and heat companies, Internet providers, cable companies and other utilities of your pending move.
• Find out the most cost-effective time to cancel gym memberships or forward magazine subscriptions.
• Return library books; cancel newspaper subscriptions.
• Let colleagues and networking contacts know of your move when it’s comfortable for you to do so. After all, you’ll want your professional network to stay intact when the rest of your stuff is disassembled.

The Budget & Paperwork

Plan a move without a budget and you might feel the pinch later. Expenses tend to creep in quickly and quietly, so keep a file for everything, no matter how small. Why is this so important? You’ll thank yourself next tax season when most of these items can be written off! Account for everything from the boxes and movers to the rug shampoo and packing paper.

Create a Floor Plan

Make a plan to decide where items will be placed in your new home. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a company, there’s no reason to move anything you won’t need in your new home. Here are a few ways to get rid of unwanted items quickly:

• Have a moving sale.
• Load up the car and donate to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or other local charities. Talk to your move manager about other consignment and/or donation options.
• Hit online message boards (such as Craigslist.org or Freecycle.org) or put an ad in your local newspaper to announce your freebies or used stuff.
• Moving from a house to a condo without a yard? Give a neighbor your mower or other yard supplies.

Timeline

You’re about to put everything you own in cardboard boxes. There’s no denying it – it’s overwhelming. For this part of the process, it’s all about organization and simplicity. Use your calendar to determine how to pack for the least stress. For some, it might be an hour or two a day. For others, it might be three straight 10-hour days. However you do it, be realistic and provide yourself plenty of time.

Protect Your Memories

If it’s irreplaceable, take it with you in the car (you don’t want regrets later). But if you do decide to pack framed photos or art, place sheets or blankets between them for added protection.

Pack Heavy - Pack Light

Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.

Give out Your Number

Before the van foreman leaves for your destination residence, give him a phone number where you can be reached. It is also a good idea to provide him with an alternate contact in case you can’t be reached.

Enjoy the Help

Leave the rest to the professionals, sit back and relax, and look forward to the new opportunities, friends and experiences that are part of any move. Be sure to get a good night’s rest before the pickup and delivery days!