Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Brooke Niemeyer, Partnerships Manager at PolicyGenius
Moving seems pretty straightforward, right? Go through your stuff, decide what to take with you and what to give away, put the keepers in boxes, transfer everything to the new place, unpack and enjoy. Oh, if only it was so simple.
Moving is time-consuming and there’s a reason most people dread the actual act. It’s a headache if you don’t have some sort of process in place. And even the most organized person can forget something when stress takes over. To help make your move a far more enjoyable experience, we’re highlighting nine important things to remember (as most people forget them).
Create a system
First things first — get organized.
“Most people remember to write on boxes what room something came from, but getting more organized by writing the order of unpacking and recording details on a checklist can save a lot of time and stress upon arrival,” Cori Bamberg, a certified professional organizer at Ditch the Clutter, says.
Technology exists, and you should use it
It feels like you have to do everything yourself, but that’s not true — there’s always an app that can help, from finding your apartment to getting settled in! During your move, you can use apps like Evernote or Sortly to take inventory as you pack, or Moving Checklist Pro to keep track of all your “to-do” lists. Need help cleaning your place so you get that security deposit back, or building all that new furniture you just got? Turn to services like Handy or TaskRabbit.
Clear the kitchen
It’s a lot easier to just order pizza when you’re packing but you may want to think twice. Moving is expensive enough, so instead of spending more on food, focus on using up what you already have in the house.
Not only is this move good for your budget, but “if you own the fridge and are taking it with you, you’ll get the added bonus of lightening it and making it easier to move,” said Travis Sevilla, a marketing manager at moving and delivery company GoShare.
Research parking permits
“Depending on where you live, there could be restrictions on where and for how long you can park your moving truck,” said Mike Glanz, co-founder and CEO of HireAHelper. A bit of research on any regulations in your new area can really pay off. After all, no one wants to get a parking ticket on move-in day. If you’re blocking the driveway to run a few things up at the beginning, leave a little note on your windshield letting your new neighbors know what’s up. They’ll understand that you’ll be right back to move our of their way, and it’s also a great way to break the ice and get to know the people you’ll be sharing a ‘hood with.
Pack a ‘first night’ box
It’s good to group things together when you pack, as this makes the unpacking process a lot easier. But, odds are, your first night in your new place won’t involve unpacking everything.
So, for each person — and any pets — you’ll want a box of essentials “including products like toothbrushes/toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, shampoo/conditioner, bedding, pajamas, towels, a change a clothes, paper towels, trash bags, electronic chargers, pet supplies and snacks,” Kelly McClenahan, decluttering expert for Price Self Storage, said. “This box should be the last one you pack before moving, and it should be the first one you open.”
Transfer utilities ahead of time
“Staying on top of your utilities will ensure that your new place has all of the essentials right when you move in and that you don’t end up paying to keep the lights on at a place you’re no longer living in,” Sevilla said.
Set up new maintenance services
Yes, you’ll want to make sure you have your basic utilities set up and schedule internet installation, but it goes beyond that.
“People forget to have trash and recycling services set up at their new house before they move and end up not having any place to throw away packing boxes and bubble wrap for a few days,” said MaryJo Monroe, a professional organizer at reSPACEd.
Update insurance policies
You’ve filed your change of address with your service providers, set up your trash collection and even told the few magazine subscriptions you still get about your change of address. But what about your insurance? It’s a good idea to reach out to your agent to see if you need to change up your renters insurance. (Homeowners insurance is important, too, of course, but that usually gets sorted out as part of closing on a new home.) Plus, you’ll want to call your car insurance agent to tell them about your change of address and see if you need more coverage. Rates vary across zip codes … and state lines, given each state has different car insurance requirements.
Use gloves to unpack
Finally, when it comes time to empty the boxes in your new place, make sure you do so carefully.
“People forget to unpack their kitchen utensil boxes with gloves on,” Monroe said. “The risk here is that kitchen knives and sharp utensils can shift in the box during a move and if you reach in without taking precautions, you can stab or cut yourself accidentally.”
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