5 Things to Do to Prepare for a Household Move

5 Things to Do to Prepare for a Household Move

Moving is one of the most stressful times in people’s lives. It can be especially tough if you have a family to support and need to uproot their lives as well.

Regardless of your reason for moving, whether it be a new job, change of scenery, or retirement, there are some things you should do prior to embarking on your new adventure.

Below are 5 things to do to prepare for your household move.

1) Find Your New Home

If you just found out from work that they’re transferring you across the country, the first thing you’re going to need to do is find a place to live. Starting by looking at property listings from your local Estate Agents can help you locate your future home.

Sites like Zillow.com can help you find a new home in just about any area. For those planning on renting instead, Zillow does that too along with plenty of other sites, such as Rent.com.

Going outside the US for your move? RentSeeker.ca is an incredible tool to help find your next Canadian rental.

2) Get Estimates from Movers

If you just have a 1 or 2-bedroom home, then you may want to consider doing things yourself with a rental truck.

For those with a family and a much bigger home, using a moving company is usually the best choice for time, money, and convenience.

You should plan to do this step at least a month or two in advance, as it can be cumbersome weeding through good movers from bad and those that charge too much for their services. Be sure to ask friends and family in the area if they have any good recommendations for you. You might also find that there are some moving companies that will only do local removals. If you’re planning for a long-distance move, you need to make sure the removal company you’re working with is willing to travel a long distance. Sometimes they can cap how many miles they’re willing to venture out to. But there are some removal companies, such as BR Moving, that are willing to do both short-haul and long haul moves, you just have to find one that can meet your needs.

Getting estimates from movers isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s usually necessary to ensuring a safe, effective relocation.

3) Pack Up Rarely Used Items

Next up on the agenda, it’s never too early to start packing up items you rarely use around the house. Every little bit counts, and even just a few boxes early on can make the moving process less daunting later on.

You’ll need some boxes to start doing this, so the first place you should look is in your basement and around your home.

Then, ask friends and family, and your local grocery store or Wal-Mart. As a last resort you can always go to UPS, FedEx, or the Post Office to purchase some. Make sure you check out the many USPS holidays to avoid a trip to an office that is closed.

4) Get Rid of Unwanted Stuff

While preparing for your move, there is no better time to start getting rid of anything you don’t need. The more you are able to sell, donate, or throw away, the easier moving the rest of your stuff will be.

Holding a yard sale first can be a great way to get rid of a bunch of stuff while making a decent profit. After that, you should look to donate where at all possible and throwing away anything else that you can’t sell or donate.

5) Finalize Plans

The last thing you should do is make sure your moving plan is set and that all of the pieces are in place.

With a clear plan including scheduled times for preparation, packing, moving, and all the other miscellaneous activities, you will be in great shape to tackle the long road ahead with your family.

Closing Thoughts

There is no way to avoid the stress that comes along with completely uprooting you and your loved ones from one place to another. You can, however, mitigate that stress by taking precise actions like those you just learned above.