For millions of Americans, summer is the best time to move – the kids are out of school, the weather is nice, and the home buying season is at its peak. In fact, 11 to 13 percent of all moves occur during summer months as compared to eight percent or less during the other months of the year. Moving can be a very stressful and chaotic experience for a lot of people, especially if you’re moving a family or if you’re a new homeowner. Here at Lincoln Self Storage, we understand the ins and outs of moving. By providing you with a few helpful tips, we hope to make the process of moving during the summer as stress-free as possible.
4 weeks from move date
Get organized and start notifying the right people and companies that you’ll be moving soon and give them a date to forward to terminate services. Start looking for licensed and professional moving companies, storage facilities and moving guides.
If using a professional mover, get quotes from several companies to get the best deal that is right for you and your needs. Make sure you ask plenty of questions like whether or not they give binding quotes and what kind of insurance is included. Be sure to talk with them about all the different options available.
Make sure important documents such as your child’s school records or medical records are accessible during your transition. Make sure to put these items aside and make copies of any records for yourself, in case you forget what box they’re packed in.
Fill out the change of address forms for creditors, doctors, and personal providers. Schedule account closings for trash removal, gardeners, pest control, etc., and transfer utilities or other services that’ll go with you.
3 weeks from move date
Whether or not you’ve selected a mover, begin by taking inventory of your belongings and decide what will be coming with you to your next home or to storage.
Start cleaning out closets, drawers and storage areas of your home and divide things into categories: “pack”, “recycle”, and “donate”. You can always have a garage sale. This will make packing day a lot easier and you may reduce the total amount of items you’ll be moving.
If possible, take pictures of rooms and areas inside your home or apartment you’ll be moving into so you can start thinking about placement of furniture, artwork, and other items. This will help save time, headaches…and stress on moving day.
2 weeks from the move date
Rent a truck. Start packing things into boxes. Label those boxes! Figure out the logistics of the move, travel plans and if other specialized plans need to be made.
If you are moving long distance, remember travel arrangements for your pets. If you have young children, you may want to make childcare arrangements so you can be 100% focused on moving day. If not, make sure the little ones have snacks, remain safe and busy with fun activities.
Plan and make time for “move out” cleaning. Whether hiring help or doing it yourself, carpet cleaners and heavy appliance cleaning is a nice welcome for buyers to move into a clean and tidy home.
1 week from move date
Set aside valuable items and keep those with you. Make sure the details for paying for everything is taken care of. Some will require a money order or cashier’s checks upon delivery; it’s good to know their policy in advance to avoid stress on moving day.
Time to cook and eat all the frozen foods you have, or give them to a neighbor or friend. This way you won’t have to throw them away on moving day or worry about packing an ice chest.
Place necessities such as toiletries, toilet paper, rags, and must have cooking supplies. Organize them in boxes marked “open first” so it’s easy to find these items you’ll want handy on those first few days of being in your next home. Good tip: Don’t forget a flashlight!!
Take a tour of the new location to identify water and gas shut off locations, as well as the electrical breaker box just in case something happens in the first few days so you’re prepared. Might be smart to keep some light bulbs on hand too!
Moving day- Keep your cool!
Moving in the early morning or evening is a great way to take advantage of the lower temperatures.
Protect yourself from the heat. Don’t forget to use sunscreen lotions as well as wearing loose, light-colored clothing to avoid the risk of overheating.
Hydrate and keep yourself nourished by drinking cold water or beverages with electrolytes as well as snacks that are non-perishable. Granola, fruit bars, and mixed nuts are solid options that will keep your energy up.
Because it’s hot out, be aware of what things shouldn’t be put into the moving truck. Candles will melt, leather furniture will “sweat” if wrapped in plastic; use a pad instead. CD’s, videos and cassette tapes can warp in a hot truck.
Think about air-conditioning at both ends of the move. The doors to your home will be open for extended periods of time and the temperature inside will reflect the temp outside. Remember that you will have an increased bill if your air runs for hours on end. Be sure that the air is on in the new home because it’s going to be hot there too.
Know the symptoms of overheating. It is common knowledge that high temperatures can be disastrous but, this can be avoided if you can be able to spot the symptoms from a distance. You will have quite a number of people under your care including the movers. If you can spot heat-related illnesses well before they get out of hand, you can potentially save a life. Don’t forget to protect yourself with a pair of sunglasses for your eyes and good quality sunscreen.
There are always challenges that with every move. With these tips, you’ll be in a better position to prepare better and more thoroughly for challenges.
