If you’re starting to feel anxious about your big move, you’re far from alone. According to recent research, many people consider moving to be more stressful than starting a new job, getting a divorce, or even becoming a parent!
Of course, there are plenty of things you can do to remove some anxiety from the big day. From preparing a to-do list to snapping the right photos, here are a few crucial moving day tips to keep in mind.
1. Be Packed the Day Before Moving Day
Moving day is full of stressors, and the last thing you’ll want to do is add another one to the pile. If you can, make sure to pack everything as far in advance as possible—and at least the day before you move.
2. Get Up Early
If you’re working to set up a big move, you’ll want to set your alarm clock early. Take the opportunity to take care of any last-minute packing, pick up your rental truck, or confirm scheduling details as needed.
3. Use a To-Do List
The best piece of moving advice we can offer? Write everything down.
No matter how much you prepare in advance, your moving day will be chaotic. That’s why it’s a good idea to jot down a to-do list that you can keep on a notebook or on your phone. While you’ll probably be dealing with obvious tasks—like loading your truck—some of the others on this list may be less obvious, and the last thing you want to do is remember them after you’ve already hit the road.
4. Dress for Success
It goes without saying that you’ll be pretty active on the big day, so it’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in with ease.
However, it’s also important to keep a few safety tips in mind, especially if you’ll be handling the trip on your own without the help of professional movers. If you’ll be responsible for lifting heavy objects, wearing closed-toe shoes can help you avoid the pain of a dropped box. Consider grabbing sneakers or thick boots as needed.
In addition, simple gardening gloves may be helpful as you lift awkward items, and they can help keep your hands clean if you’re dealing with dusty or debris-ridden furniture.
5. Keep Your Phone Charged
If you haven’t done so the night before, make sure to charge your phone throughout the day. You’ll spend most of your time coordinating your schedule with your professional movers or the friends and family you’ve asked for help, so make sure they can contact you! A fully charged phone will also be a godsend if you need directions during your drive.
6. Protect Surfaces and Clear a Path
On your way out, make sure to protect the surfaces of your home by laying down tarps, towels, or carpets. You can also wrap the banisters of your stairs or door frames. Don’t forget to wrap the bulky items you’re moving as well!
In addition, if there’s any leaves, debris, or snow between your door and the street outside, make sure to clear it away for safety.
7. Check In With Your Movers
Whether you’ve hired a team of professional movers or you’ve reached out to a crew of friends and family, be sure to check in with them early on. Make yourself available for any questions or concerns, especially if they need directions.
With a professional team, don’t forget to also review any paperwork, sign any documents, and check the bill.
8. Have a Plan for Kids and Pets
If your household consists of small children or pets, you’ll want to bring them to a sitter or to have someone on hand to watch over them. Alternatively, you may also want to find ways to keep them busy as you take care of business.
If your kids are old enough to help with the move, consider getting them involved! Give them their own mini to-do list with small tasks to accomplish throughout the day.
9. Have Refreshments Handy
Moving homes is exhausting, so make sure to have plenty of energy on hand for the workout. You might want to set up a snack cooler with drinks and water, both for you and for your moving crew. In addition, have some easy snacks nearby, such as sandwiches, fruit, or granola bars.
10. Know How to Lift
If you’re going to be tackling some of the heavy lifting on your own, it’s crucial to know how to lift boxes safely to avoid injury.
Stand facing the item with your back straight. Keeping one foot just in front of the other, bend your knees to grab the item without hunching over. Holding it close to your waist, use the muscles in your legs to lift the item.
Whenever possible, opt for wheeled containers or dollies when moving heavier items.
11. Coordinate Your Portable Storage Move
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to coordinate the move of your BlueBox storage container. Once you’ve finished loading up the portable storage on your property, it’s time to have it delivered to your new home or apartment! Our team will pick it up on your schedule, moving it to your desired location with a simple phone call.
12. Clean Up Behind Yourself
Once you’ve loaded everything up, take some time to clean up after yourself. Remove any protective padding you laid down around the house, and don’t forget to wipe down and clean any messes you’ve made.
If you haven’t already done a deep cleaning of your home, now is the time to do so—or to hire a professional cleaning service to tackle the job.
13. Do One Last Sweep of Your Home
You’d be surprised at how many items you might miss without one last walk-through! Even if you’ve already decluttered your house, be sure to scour each room from top to bottom to make sure that you haven’t left any of your possessions behind by accident, and check for any accidental damage done to the property during the move. Don’t forget about out-of-the-way spaces like the attic, basement, cabinets, and any crawl spaces.
14. Take Photos
It’s always a good idea to take a picture of your utility meters before you leave. These photos can be used as evidence if your gas or water company gets the last bill wrong.
If you’re renting, you should also snap a few photos of your empty space. This can help show that the place has been left clean and tidy, allowing you to get your security deposit back down the line.
15. Leave Everything Your Buyer Needs
If your buyer or the next renter needs any items or information to get into your home, be sure to leave them behind. This includes keys, security codes, or garage door openers.
16. Unpack and Inspect Your Belongings
Once you’ve made it to your new home, it’s time to unload your belongings. Coordinate with your movers on where to place your possessions around your new home, and be prepared to give directions to your moving team.
One of the most crucial home moving tips to remember is that you should always inspect your belongings for damage as they come out of the truck. If you’re working with a moving company, talk to them about the damage right away.
17. Have Your Tip Ready to Go
Moving practices can vary wildly depending on the size and distance of your move. Common moving advice involves tipping your movers up to 20%. However, for a full-day move, it’s also common to simply tip your moving help somewhere between $50 and $100 each.
18. Know Where Your Essentials Are
If you’ve packed an essentials bag or boxes, now is the time to bring it out and start unpacking. This should include a change of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, any electronic devices, medicine, and snacks. You may also want to grab items that you’ll need right away in the kitchen or bathroom.
19. Do a Quick Cleaning
Before you start unpacking your items and setting down your furniture, you may want to do a quick cleaning around the house, especially if it’s been sitting empty for long enough to get dusty. Sweep and vacuum the floors, wipe down surfaces, and clear away any items that were left behind.
20. Prepare for a Well-Deserved Break
After a job well done, it’s time to rest. Unless you want to sort through your belongings right away, consider grabbing some food and relaxing after you’ve done some basic unpacking.
If you’re hoping to get a good night’s sleep, don’t forget to turn off your early alarm from the morning. In addition, there’s one last thing you may want to unpack to keep the dawn light out of your face: your curtains!
Try These Moving Day Tips for a Smooth Transition
Moving can feel like a monumental endeavor, but the truth is that it doesn’t have to. As long as you stick to the simple moving day tips above, you’ll have far fewer issues coordinating your big day.
As you prepare to get into your new home, don’t forget that the BlueBox team is here to help! Our portable storage solutions make it easy to get ready for your move in advance, and we’ll even take care of the delivery for you. To learn more about what we can do, contact us today.