Moving houses is a time-consuming task. It can easily feel overwhelming if you don’t plan and follow some steps. If you’re moving a small distance, you may want to follow some local moving tips.

Start by planning and preparing for the move. Declutter your belongings, so you don’t end up at your new house with unnecessary items. Pack for the move efficiently and smartly.  Get help and plan your unboxing. A good moving service can help you tremendously.

Read along if you are interested to know more!

1. Planning and Preparation

Proper planning and preparation from the start will lead you to the right and efficient first step. Remember that the sooner you start, the easier it will be. Here are a few tips for initial planning and preparation

• Call utility companies

Call utility companies and inform them as soon as you’re sure about the time, date, and location. It’s one of the simplest yet vital tasks, and you may forget to do it later in the commotion. Ensure you have all the utilities as soon as you move into your new place

• Set a budget and decide on a moving method

Moving houses is not an easy feat. If you do not plan a budget, you may lose track of your finances and end up overspending. Decide if you want to do all the packing and moving yourself, or hire a mover/moving service. If you want to move by yourself, plan out what kind of moving truck you want to rent. 

• Accumulate packing supplies

You will need a lot of essential things to pack for the move- boxes, ropes, bubble wraps, scotch tapes, etc. Buy and accumulate moving supplies in advance as early as you can. 

• Decor planning and schedule

Plan how you want your furniture layout to be. This action will help you pack according to room allotment, which will be more efficient. Schedule your days for packing and stick to the plan as rigorously as possible. 

2. Decluttering

You cant take everything you own with you to your new apartment. You need to declutter as much as possible. Here are a few tips:

• Purge

It’s time to let go of everything you do not use and will not use in the future. Get rid of clothes that don’t fit you or are out of fashion. Get rid of worn-out cutlery and electronic devices. If it’s not adding to your utility, it’s time you let go of fit. 

• Donation

There will be many things that you have no more use for, but they are still in good shape. Box them up for donation and send them out to local donation centers.

• Hand-down

Another category of things you will find are things that you’ve rarely used and not going to use again. They might be too pretty, expensive, or has sentimental value. For things like these that you can’t throw away or donate, consider handing them down to someone you know appreciates it. It may be clothes and products that your siblings, cousins, or friends are interested in.

• Food

Refrain yourself from buying food before moving. Focus on finishing whatever you have in your fridge or pantry, as those might get ruined during the move. You can even try out new recipes or have a small goodbye-house party!

3. Packing for The Move

Packing is the most stressful part of moving. But guess what, it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few packing tips-

• Packing apparel

You don’t need to box all your clothes. Leave some clothes in the drawers of your wardrobe, cover them with wrap, and secure scotch tapes. You also do not need to remove hangers/ Get a cloth hanging box, or just pack the clothes with the hangers inside a big, clean garbage bag. These actions will help save you from buying extra boxes and spending folding and boxing time.  

• Maximize the utility of your belongings

Use your soft clothes (linen, cotton, etc.) to wrap crockeries, glass showpieces, or other delicate items. Use pots to hold jewelry, makeup, or other small items.

• Document

Take pictures of all the boxes once you are done filling them. This will help you remember which box contains what. You can also write these down. You can also try to color-code your boxes. Take pictures of complex electronic devices to remember where each plug goes when you unpack. 

• Accumulate the essentials

Keep moving and cleaning essentials aside in a separate bag/small box. So, you can find them whenever you need them quickly.

4. Last-minute Checklists

Here are a few last-minute essentials you should remember:

• Have someone take care of your pets and children 

If you have children who cannot help with packing and moving, have someone else take care of them. Also, make sure to let someone handle your pet(s) if you have any. 

• Be packed and ready at least one day in advance 

Don’t set any work aside for the moving day. Have everything packed and ready to go at least one day in advance. 

• Let the movers help

You don’t necessarily need to pack everything by yourself. If the movers are reliable, you can arrange help to help you pack and load. 

5. Unboxing

Packing is unfortunately not the last step of moving; you need to have minimal unboxing planned as well.

• Cover the basics

Assemble and unbox bedding, limited crockeries, essential products first. You will need these as soon as you move in.

• Follow a schedule

Don’t put off work for later. Make an unboxing plan, give yourself a deadline, and follow those.

• Get help

Have your friends and family help you. You can spend quality time together while unboxing and decorating.

Make Things Easier

You don’t need to stress yourself out by doing everything yourself. There are a lot of reliable, affordable moving services. They can and will help you with packing, loading, even donating. We recommend Starving Student Movers as a trustworthy, caring moving service from personal experience. Call them at (888) 931-Move(6683) to get a free quote or book them.

Bottom Line

Whether short distance or long, moving can be tiring if you’re not doing it right. The tips and tricks we mentioned can make the task easier. We hope our local moving tips help you have a better, smoother transition to your new home.

Have any more questions? Let us know!

FAQs:

• When should I start packing for a local move?

You should start planning and preparing at least 6-8 weeks before moving. Start packing at least 3-4 weeks before the moving day. Utilize your weekends, off days, and free time.

• Is there a checklist for moving?

There are a lot of free moving checklists available on the internet. But, it will be more efficient if you can make your own checklist according to your needs, priorities, and schedule. 

• How much can local moves cost?

A short distance or local move can cost you around $800 – $2200. Talk to at least 2-3 movers before deciding, and try to get a free quote.