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relocation information
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PLANNING THE MOVE
For most people moving is an extremely stressful and intimidating ordeal. Through careful planning, though, you could turn the Ordeal into a Door-buster Deal!
Here are some tips to help you alleviate the anxiety and possible “trauma” of moving, that may certainly come coupled with some major and serious complications! Our recommendation to you is: “When faced with a daunting task, laugh a little and take it one step at a time.” Humor and good planning will go a long way in setting the stage for a smooth and, should we say, pleasant moving experience. |
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• Realize that time is of essence when moving. The earlier you start, the better off you will be. Plan your move well in advance and set a timetable. Making all the arrangements within the limits of a reasonable time period will greatly ease the pain and frustration that you might experience if you did not have a schedule.
• Prepare a checklist of all your possessions. This will help you keep track of all the items that need to be packed, donated or sold in a garage sale. It will also give you an idea of how much progress you have made.
• Decide if you are going to rent a truck and do all the packing and unpacking yourself, or if you are going to hire a moving company to do the “heinous” job for you! Everybody who has moved at least once knows how tedious and frustrating this process really is.
• Contact several moving companies and get bids on how much it would cost you to transport your belongings. If your move is job related, find out from your accountant which moving expenses are tax-deductible and which receipts you have to keep for proper accountability of expenditures. If you are using the services of a moving company, it is always a good idea to keep the company’s contact information available throughout the move. Problems may arise and you might need to inform the company about them. Also, do not forget to call the moving company few days in advance and make sure that arrangements have been made for your truck to arrive at the agreed time.
• Start packing your belongings as early as possible. Begin with items that you do not use on a regular basis. This would probably mean packing first all your “valued possessions” stored in the attic, basement, garage, closets, etc. After organizing those, designate a day or two for each room in your house. This way you will be able to pace yourself and be aware of how much more work you are left with. The perishable items in your cupboards should be last on your packing list. Of course frozen foods should not be transported.
• Make sure that you write the contents of each box on the outside of the box. It is best that you also designate the future location of those particular items in your new home. This will help you sort through your stuff easily upon arrival, and save you all the energy and hard work of moving boxes around from room to room. We suggest that you decide in advance where in your new home you will place your furniture and personal items and how you will arrange them. Then load your belongings on the truck in such an order that you could unload them one room at a time.
• Place your toiletries and several sheets and towels in a separate box, along with other items that you know you will need as soon as you arrive at your new home. You have to plan your move carefully if you want to avoid all those unnecessary arguments the first day you move in. Otherwise, you will have to shuffle through numerous boxes to locate you most essential items, and that is after a long and exhausting trip.
• Stock up on all those moving coasters. They will be your best friend while you are moving and will tremendously alleviate the stress on your back! Also, take extra care not to chip the corners of any of your furniture or scratch the items while loading them on the truck. You could possibly cover some of your smaller and more valuable pieces with bubble wrap, but there is really not much you could do for the bigger items.
• Be sure to remove all bulbs from your light fixtures. Moving fragile items like lamps, chandeliers, computers, TVs and other electronic equipment has always been a challenge. Such items would need an extra layer of protection and no room for friction while in transit or you could lose a monitor or two.
• Take extra care when packing your fragile and highly expensive items. Wrapping them in linens, towels or plain paper would be best. Newspapers are not recommended since they may leave ink imprints upon some of your belongings. We recommend that you stack your pictures and plates vertically rather than horizontally. This will help prevent unwanted accidents. Also, be sure to pack both heavy and light items in each box. Use your best judgment as to how much weight each box could sustain without ripping open at the bottom.
• Have a special suitcase or bag, which you could carry with you and place there all your important documents, jewelry and other valuables. This will help you keep them handy and safe. Be sure to take with you a phone book of your current and new location if possible. Also, have with you at all times important numbers and information that you might need in case of an emergency. These should include your family doctor’s phone number, your relatives’ contact information, your employer’s information, a list of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs you are taking, old and new address and phone number, etc.
• Separate all items that you know you do not really need and make an “honorable” contribution to your garbage can! You will be surprised how good it feels after you dispose of an item or two! Also, it is probably time to part with all those “priceless family antiques” that have been occupying your attic for the past century. Make arrangements to donate those items to the less fortunate or simply have a family fun-filled “garage sale” fiesta!
• Wipe the interior of your refrigerator and make sure there is no moisture left on the inside walls and freezer or you would have a serious mold problem later. You could put a little coffee or baking soda in a nylon bag inside your refrigerator to prevent any stale odors.
• Clean thoroughly your home after you have loaded all your stuff. You will be surprised how dirty your floors will be after the packing and moving ordeal. Also, go for a final walkthrough in your house. Check all rooms, closets, cabinets, etc. for anything that you might have forgotten to pack and load. Please do not forget to check all water and gas valves, circuit breakers, smoke detectors, etc. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
• Have a neighbor or friend watch your pets the day when you are moving. The hustle and bustle of moving is a little too much commotion and unrest for your peace-loving animal friends! In addition, arrange for a special carrier for your pets to be transported in. Make sure it is big and high enough for your pet to freely move around. Most carriers allow only enough room for your pet to lie down, which would certainly cause your pet great discomfort, especially if you are headed for a long trip. Also, it is imperative that you never leave your pets alone in a vehicle. The temperatures could run extremely high in the summer or dangerously low in the winter.
• Move your plants in your car rather than in a truck where there is no light and good airflow. Remember to water them before putting them in the vehicle, and to preferably have them in a shaded area, not directly exposed to the sun for a long period of time. Otherwise, the leaves may get badly scorched and withered.
• Remember to have some toys and games handy in your vehicle. This will keep your children entertained while on the move and when you first arrive. Involving your kids in the moving process is wise only to a certain degree. For example, have them pack their own toys and clothes and unpack them in their new room. This will help them feel as a part of the team. Beyond that, it is best that you place them in a different room while all the loading and unloading is going on.
• Arrive at your new home with renewed courage and great expectations! After all you will have to go through the same ordeal twice… once while packing and then while unpacking. Sorry we could not make it easier on you! So get up, load it up, and buckle up! |
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content by Mariana Natcheva & website by Christina Riddle |
Century 21© Doris Hardy & Associates, LLC | 3600 Bluecutt Rd., Suite 1 | Columbus, MS 39705
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Each office is independently owned and operated
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