OPTED Magazine

Moving and relocating is usually on people’s top 5 nightmare experiences.  From scratched furniture to higher than expected expenses, moving is usually a less than flawless experience.  Even the most organized person can be overwhelmed by the countless details that have potential to make moving much easier.

Here are four tips to keep your moving experience organized and hassle free:

1. Find the best movers — whether you’re doing an in-town move or a cross-country (or overseas) move, entrust your belongings to the best company you can find.  If you’ve graduated from the “pizza and beer” method of recruiting some helping hands, consider two online sources for locating affordable and reliable movers: Craigslist and City Move.  The most important thing is to require references, and actually follow up with them.  Track down particulars on testimonials and verify the credentials and experiences for your moving company.  Be aware that many amateur moving companies create fake testimonials and have friends attempt to vouch for their work.  If you have any way to research a moving company via  recommendation from a friend, it’s better than a service no one has heard of.
2. Take photos — if you have extensive valuables, priceless antiques or expensive furniture, it pays to have photographic proof of their condition before you move.  Prior to any packing, photograph you most prized possessions from multiple angles, and if possible, the method in which they are packed before you seal a box.  This evidence could be crucial to securing a reward or compensation in the case of considerable damage to your possessions.
3. Stay on schedule and complete the preparation — there is nothing worse for your stress level than not having everything completely ready for when the movers arrive.  The best strategy is to calculate the time you have before moving day and space out the tasks that need to be completed.  One good option is to pack and clean a room per day until the job is complete.  Several weeks ahead of the move you should be visiting the grocery store in the evening or early morning for packing cartons and snagging typing paper boxes from work.  Give prior notice to your boss that you’ll need time off for a full day for the moving process, and if necessary, the evening or morning afterwards.
4. Tasks for a couple days before — a number of other factors require advance planning to help facilitate an efficient, smooth and hassle free day.  Ahead of time, have bottled water available and if air conditioning or heating needed to be cut off, try to make arrangements for fans or space heaters.  If you have kids and a sitter is not a possibility, make sure a small box of toys or coloring books are available so the kids can be entertained while the moving process is taking place.  Another important step is building a “necessities box” for when you arrive at your new location with all the basics in case unpacking it not a possibility.

A word of warning: as organized as you think you can be, everyone’s moving situation is different and unexpected twists and turns will throw a wrench in your perfectly crafted plans.  But having an organization plan to begin with is an absolute necessity to minimize the potential for a nightmare moving experience!

This week is moving week on OPTED Magazine and this post is part of a 5 article series.  Check out the next post in the series.

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