Relocating to a new address can be complicated and chaotic if not planned well and on time. So if you are planning on relocating soon, follow our simple guide on how to organize your move and learn how to create the best moving binder ever.
How Do I Begin to Organize?
Starting any significant work is hard, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you be more organized. When talking about how to organize a move, the best thing you can do is to start preparing on time. This way, you will have time to fix any eventual mistake. You need to figure out when you are relocating and setting a relocation day.
Create a Moving Binder
Go to the store and buy yourself a binder. You can choose to make two relocating binders, one for the old house and one for the new one. Now that you have a binder, it is time to start organizing for a move. Make tabs and sections with a specific relocating topic you need to cover and deal with. Here are a couple of tabs every binder must have:
- Inventory list,
- Utilities,
- Moving budget,
- Movers contact info and contract,
- School information,
- Neighborhood info,
- House plans,
- Labeling system,
- Estimates and bids,
- Travel arrangements,
- Shopping list,
- To-do list.
Make Moving Budget
Even if finances are not your cup of tea, you will have to do some calculations. Good budgeting is something you need to do at least two months before your move or even sooner if you have time for it. Make a plan of all expenditures you will have, like renting or buying a new place to live, hiring state-to-state movers, travel arrangements, packing supplies, and others. If you are moving to a new state you should save some money for living expenses for at least two months and if you are moving without a job your savings should be bigger.
Hire Professional Movers
Contrary to the general opinion, the costs of interstate moving are not that big considering all the services you get. So if you are thinking about how to organize moving, hiring movers is the best way to do it. If you hire professionals only for moving services and not for packing service, you will save some money, but you will lose a lot of your time (and money) in packing your entire house alone. When you find your company of choice, make sure to ask for a quote. This way, there will be no hidden expenditures in the end. Every state-to-state movers have an auto transport service, too. If you get a whole package of services from one company, your organization will be much easier. After all, they will take care of the most stressful part of every move, and you will have time to make all the other arrangements from your binder.
Estimate Your Valuables
If you have some antiques or other valuables, make sure to do a value estimation on time, so you can arrange insurance with your movers. If you have antiques, you probably already know how to take care of them, but if you don’t know – don’t worry. Professional movers have a lot of experience in relocating and protecting your valuables.
Get Rid of the Things You Don’t Need
As we mentioned before, you will have to make a checklist for moving to another state, and this means you will have to figure out what to bring with you. Make this list before you contact your movers for an in-home estimate to get the most accurate quote. When we talk about the benefits of moving, getting rid of all the things you have been hoarding in your garage for years is definitely worth it. This way you will prepare your home for a sale too.
Organize Family Backyard Sale
If you are wondering how to downsize your home for the move, organizing a backyard sale with your family is an excellent way to do it, and you will earn some money in the process. If you are moving with kids, include them and give them some assignments as well.
Pack Your House
If you decide to do some packing by yourself, you should first make a packing and labeling system. If you wonder What is the best way to start packing to move, our advice is a combination of labeling systems for each box. For instance, you can use color to mark a particular room and numbers to mark parts of this room (like bookshelf no.1). You should start packing room by room at least one month before the big day. So start with a room and things you don’t use at this particular moment, which are probably your basement or garage. Or, if you are moving in winter, pack summer clothes first. Make sure to pack your moving essentials in separate bags or boxes.
Get Packing Supplies
Even before a big day, you will have to get some packing supplies. Many state-to-state movers provide supplies like paper and bubble wraps, boxes, blankets, and other materials. But if you wish to do some of the packing yourself and wondering where to find moving boxes, go to the local grocery store and ask them for help. And for more tips on how to pack your house, check this video.
Now You Know How to Organize Your Move
Now that you know all about how do you declutter and pack to move and how to organize for a move, you need to consider a lot of things before taking this step. One thing is sure – relocating is something that you can not do without help, if not from professionals then at least from your friends. But in our opinion, interstate moving takes a lot of time and energy, and you need to be very organized. So plan your relocation months in advice and start saving some money for this enterprise, and your relocation will be much less stressful.
