Planning a Smooth Move

Chances are at some point in your life, you have had to pick up and move to a new home or community. No doubt, you have many memories of the ups and downs of your experience. I have moved several times myself just in the past few years for various reasons - jobs, first home, larger home, home closer to family – and from those experiences I have become a self-appointed aficionado on making the transition easier and smoother.

Develop a Record System

I realize this may sound a little too “Martha Stewart” but you will thank yourself later. Before you pack anything, create a simple record keeping system. Use either your computer or just a spiral notebook, number or identify each container and list the contents in your record system.

Stock Up

I cannot emphasize this enough – you will need lots of boxes, tape, newspaper, labels and markers. You can usually get boxes free from stores if you ask them to set them aside for you, but if you have the extra money invest in several large plastic totes with handles. These make carrying and stacking easier, not to mention are far superior for preventing damage to your things. Moving companies also sell good quality boxes in various sizes and you can return what you don’t use. The point is: stock up. You will be in a bind if you run out of boxes and time.

Make Space & Think Ahead

Once you have your record system and adequate supplies in place but before you start packing, clear a generous space in a room where you will begin stacking the packed and labeled boxes. It is much better to keep them in one central location than spread them out by room. When moving day comes, insist that they are loaded on the truck first before any furniture. When the truck is unpacked at its destination, the furniture will come out first and you will have places to set the boxes on as your distribute them from room to room.

Start Packing Right Away

You are moving so you no longer “need” many of your things. Knick-knacks, decorations, family photos and the like can be packed away immediately. Chances are you won’t be entertaining in the interim, so tackle good dishes, serving dishes and leave only the most essential kitchen items and consolidate them into one or two cupboards. You will feel really organized if you can point to your cabinets as being empty. It is also makes it easier to clean cupboards as you go for the next resident. Do the same thing with linens, towels, clothes and shoes.

Avoid packing any box too full or too heavy. Use a greater number of smaller boxes whenever possible. It helps avoid damage to your things and injury to yourself and your movers.

Have a Yard Sale or Charity Box

As you pack, ruthlessly look for things that you no longer need or want and put these items into a different box. If time permits, hold a garage sale before you move or, otherwise, donate them to a charity. Why move things you will have no use for in your new home? Don’t move things and expect to have a garage sale at your new home, because you will have far too many other things to do and these boxes will sit in your basement until the next time you move.

Keep things together

Pack book ends with books, light bulbs with lamps, etc. When you unpack each box at your destination, all the “parts” are there.

Consolidate your cleaning supplies

Most people clean their old place when they move out and their new place when they move in. Having one kit of basic cleaning supplies makes this task much easier. Clean anything possible ahead of time (the stove, cupboards and closets, windows, etc.). Hopefully, come moving day you will only have to clean the floors of each room as they are emptied.

Safeguard your valuable items

It’s a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as jewelry, silver, collections, etc., with you. If you must include these items in your moving inventory, “mis-label” the box on purpose (remember – it’s in your record system anyways). Either way, it is a good idea to check with your insurance company to verify adequate coverage through the move. Also, find out what paperwork you will need should you have to file a claim and put this together.

Keep important papers with you

Anything that is not easily replaced, might contain personal information or will be needed is important. Don’t send these with the mover, keep them with you.

Immediate use box

When you get to the new place, it’s always nice to be able to access whatever personal items you might like right away. So before I move, I like to have a personal box for everyone in my household where they can put books, toiletries, a phone, extension cords, snacks, etc. so that they can use these things right up to move and right after the move, before the unpacking begins.

Be present

When the movers are unloading your furniture, always be present (or delegate someone) to direct them appropriately. You can use a label system if you like (put coloured stickers on boxes and furniture and colour code each room) but stickers fall off or get ignored in the commotion. It is a good idea to label each room (i.e. master bedroom, Sarah’s room). Your boxes should already be labeled by room.

Moving can be stressful and is rarely fun, but keeping organized and on top of things, will ensure that it goes off as smoothly as possible.