Moving homes is recognized as one of life’s most stressful events – up there with divorce and death.
If you need to execute a fast property shift, stress levels can rise even higher, but with efficiency and calmness as your mantra, moving house in a month is possible, believe it or not! Here’s how:
Week 4
- Book key moving services: removalists; packing and unpacking services; and cleaners.
- Collect or purchase moving supplies including boxes, bubble wrap, and tape.
- Declutter: start with the least-used areas such as garages and storage cupboards.
- Use up food and other similar supplies or dispose of expired items.
- Pack unwanted – but still useable – items into bags and take to a thrift store.
Week 3
- Start packing seasonal items – and number and label every box with its room and item details.
- Make a list of each box for the movers, to ensure nothing is lost in the move.
- Packing services are worth their weight in gold, so it may make sense to budget for one, especially if you’re doing this with limited help.
- Organize the disconnection and connection of utility services at the existing and new property or contact a service who can assist.
- Organize a free forwarding mail service with USPS for everyone living at the existing and new address.
- Also, notify important services of the address change including DMV, voter registration, social security administration and banks. Connection services are likely to help here.
Week 2
- Organize care for pets and young children on moving day. There will be less stress involved if they are able to stay with friends or family.
- Continue packing, and move into areas such as kitchens, only omitting the most used items in every room.
- Remember to check every cupboard and drawer to ensure no item is left behind.
Week 1
- Contact moving, cleaning and utility services again to confirm and double-check moving day plans and times.
- Dismantle all furniture that you do not need for the next week, remembering to store screws etc in a safe place. Placing them in a lock bag and either attaching them to the furniture in question, or having a box where you store them all can be a good plan.
- Finalize packing, including the items omitted in Week 2.
24-48 hours before Moving Day
- Advise neighbors that you’re moving and ask for their understanding about noise and parking spaces.
- Contact moving, cleaning and utility services again to confirm and double-check moving day plans and times
- Have every item packed and ready to be picked up.
- Ensure one to two “First Night or Overnight” boxes or suitcases with crucial items such as toiletries, underwear, medications, baby formula and diapers etc are easily accessible.
- Turn off the refrigerator at least 12 hours before the movers arrive.
- Turn off utility connections and make time for a final walk-through of the property before leaving.