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Keeping Your Move Organized – Tips on How to Stay Ahead of the Chaos on Moving Day

Author: Joe Beverly |

What are Tips on How to Stay Ahead of the Chaos on Moving Day?

Most people move several times in their life, so the likelihood of eventually finding yourself surrounded by boxes of your things and bubble wrap everywhere. While it can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be if you prepare ahead of time. Here are some tips to stay ahead of the chaos on moving day.

Two Months Before the Move

One good tip for moving is to start the process several months ahead, or as soon as you know you will be moving. You want to start off by decluttering the home so you don’t have to move as much to the new home. One good rule is if it hasn’t been used for 6 months, you’re probably safe to get rid of it. You can either sell it, donate it, or put it in the trash. Keep in mind that with less boxes to move, this means spending less money on moving fees. This is also the time to think about what items might need special packaging.

The next step is to set your moving budget. Note any upcoming expenses like boxes and packing supplies, moving services, and any time you may need to take off from work. If you want to use a moving company, start researching which company you want at this stage. It’s generally better to get an in-person or virtual quote versus one over the phone and be sure to get the estimate in writing. Make sure you can find a USDOT number on the estimate to ensure that the company is upstanding.

Keeping your move organized

How Do You Create a Moving Binder?

There is a lot of information to keep organized, so consider creating a moving binder where you can keep things together and organized. A moving binder can keep track of everything you need to know, and you can create tabs in it for specific information. Some options for categories you want to keep track of are:

  • All your important documents so they are in a safe spot and you know where they are.
  • Contact information of anybody involved with helping you move. 
  • An inventory list of your items, their condition, and a legend to color code all your boxes to what rooms they go to.
  • If you have family that will be helping prepare for the move, add an assignments tab to keep track of who is doing what.

If a paper copy of a moving binder isn’t up your alley, there’s also a plethora of moving apps that have premade options to use instead. 

What Can You Do 6 Weeks Before Moving?

Six weeks before your move is when you want to order supplies like tape, bubble wrap, sharpies, or specialty containers. If your budget is tight, you can save on materials by trying to use what’s already around your home. For example, dish towels can be used to wrap around breakable items instead of bubble wrap. This is the time that you want to work toward using up anything that won’t be moved, like perishable foods.

Keeping your move organized

What are Helpful Tips 1 Month Before Your Move?

This is when you choose the moving company you will be using, confirm the arrangements, and begin packing. Packing this early allows the process to be more organized so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Start by packing anything that is infrequently used and pack the toughest rooms first so you don’t burn yourself out too quickly. Another good tip is to use small boxes for any heavy items like books, candles, or large dishes. Suitcases can also be packed up with household items or clothing.

When you finish packing a box, label it with what’s inside and color code it for which room it belongs in. You can also take pictures of what is inside the box to document the contents. During this step you want to separate your valuable items and store them in a safe box that you personally bring to your home with your essentials and moving binder.

Two Weeks Before Your Move

You’re only a couple of weeks out from your move! This is the time to put in a time off request from work if moving day interferes with your working hours. Spend these weeks returning anything that was borrowed from someone. You should also contact your moving company to confirm details, the day and time of your move, and the addresses of where they will be needed. If you haven’t yet, call and set up internet access and utilities so they will be ready by the time you get there. You can also do your official change of address by going to your local post office and filling out a form.

What Can You Do a Few Days Before Your Move?

Since most of the pre-move tasks have already been completed, this is the time for packing your essentials that you will need until you settle into your home. Remember to start defrosting your freezer, empty, and clean it at least 24 hours before moving day. Empty and clean out your refrigerator as well. Anything you might have forgotten during the last couple months you can take care of now. If you have children or pets and don’t want them in the way during the move, try to find a caregiver to take them for the day.

Helpful Tips for Moving Day

At last, you finally made it to moving day! Before you begin your big move, grab cash for emergencies or tipping the movers, check the weather to know what to wear, and load your vehicle with your valuable items. 

What Are Some Other Tips for Moving?

The following is a list of helpful tips to keep in mind for your move:

  1. Create a basket for your packing tools to avoid losing them in the chaos of packing. 
  2. Clear baggies are an inexpensive but good way to organize cords.
  3. Taking clothes off hangers can be time consuming, so consider investing in a wardrobe box. Garbage bags are another way to contain your clothes and pack them quickly. Bind the hangers together and place the bag over the clothes like the dry cleaner does.
  4. If you have any China dishes you can use paper plates in between to pad them.
  5. For bottles that contain liquid that could spill, place plastic wrap over the opening of the bottles and screw the top on.
  6. Disassemble any large furniture and take the drawers out of dressers to make them lighter.
  7. Most grocery or liquor stores have free boxes that you can ask for or start saving boxes from online orders to reuse. 
Keeping your move organized

Work With a Reputable Moving Company for More Tips on Keeping Your Move Organized

While moving can be a stressful and overwhelming process for some, it doesn’t have to be total chaos. Just remember to start packing early, create a moving binder, and look for a reputable local Houston moving company to handle the heavy lifting. 

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Joe Beverly

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