Moving is usually an exciting time in one’s life and can mark the beginning of a new journey or fresh start. Still, with moving comes challenges, planning, and times of stress. If you prepare early on, it could help your move go more smoothly and lessen some of the challenges you may face without proper planning. 

Planning gives you a chance to go through your belongings, decide on the supplies you will need, and what moving services you will use. If you continue reading below, we share a guide to local moves, including moving tips. This will provide you with an idea of what should happen before, during, and after your move. 

Pick your moving date 

There are a handful of things to consider when determining your moving date. During your move, other people will likely be involved, which will play a part in availability. 

If it’s school season, you may want to consider waiting until summer. You may also need a babysitter or help from friends and family to coordinate a move, meaning you need to ask them what their schedules look like. Look at your work schedule to determine when you may be able to take time off or move during a less busy time. Of course, the timing will also revolve around securing your new home and leaving your current one.

You will also need to check the availability of professional movers if you choose to have help with your move. 

Get your supplies early

To pack your belongings, you will need moving supplies. To protect your belongings, you will need durable materials such as: 

  • Moving boxes of different sizes
  • Packing paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Packing tape
  • Markers and labels
  • Shrink wrap 
  • Mattress bags

Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to downsize your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer want. By donating items that you no longer use or care for, you will be moving less stuff and creating less clutter in your brand-new home. 

Decluttering can even save you money and make you money. As you sell items, you will be downsizing while making a few extra dollars. Not to mention, the less you have to move, the fewer moving supplies you will need to buy. 

Pack in stages

After you have decided on your moving date and cleared some unwanted items out of the way, you can begin packing. Doing this in stages can be beneficial. Pack the least important items first before packing things that you use weekly or daily. 

As you get closer to your moving date, you can start packing those weekly used items and only leave out the things you use daily. 

Transfer utilities

This won’t be the most fun task, but it is important to make a note of all your utility service providers. Some of these may include cable and internet, water and sewer, gas, electricity, security system, and trash. 

Notify your utility service providers anywhere between two and three weeks before you move. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to call a month in advance for service providers that require an appointment and installation. 

Knowing that your utilities are connected on your move-in date will make you feel more confident on your moving day, especially during times of extreme weather. No one wants to unpack in a scorching hot or freezing cold home. 

While calling your utility service providers, it is also a good idea to change your mailing address with USPS. You can do this easily by going to USPS.com and selecting the date you wish to begin forwarding your mail to your new address. 

The big day of your local move

Your moving day has finally arrived. All the planning, preparing, and organizing will finally be worth it. You will want everything to be ready today. All of your belongings should be boxed, taped, labeled, and set to go. 

You may want to wake up early and drop your children or pets off with their caretaker for the day to ensure you can get things finished quickly and carefully. 

Local movers typically charge by the hour, so having everything packed and ready when they arrive would be most cost-efficient. It would also be a good idea to pack your own vehicle with any perishable food, essential, valuable, and hazardous belongings before the movers arrive. Getting these out of the way can ensure the items you will need to use when you first move in won’t accidentally go into the moving truck. 

When the movers do arrive, don’t be afraid to take the lead and give clear instructions. It will make the day easier for everyone involved if you’re all on the same page.

Finally, make sure you do a final walk-through. After everyone else has cleared out of the house, look around and make sure that none of your belongings were left behind. 

Essentials for your first night at your new place

Now that you and your belongings have arrived at your new home, you may want to prepare for your first night there. 

Since you took the time to organize and separate your belongings when you packed, it should be easy to determine what you will need right away. You may want to begin unpacking some of your personal and practical items, like your toiletries, bedding, and pajamas. 

If you have children and pets, they would appreciate and sleep better having their favorite comfort items, so don’t forget to unpack them. 

You may want to sit back and relax after such a busy and exhausting day. Since you made sure to transfer your utilities, you and your family should be able to enjoy a movie together while eating carry out or the meal you prepared to cook ahead of time. 

Local moving made easy 

This guide to local moves will ensure you have a less stressful and more organized move. But, the most important task will be finding a reputable and efficient moving company. 

If you’d like to know how Road Scholars Moving can help you with your move, contact us today.