15 Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Make a general plan but be flexible

Moving is not just about packing up things in the home. It is also about finding a reputable Houston moving company, arranging utilities, packing, unpacking, and more. With so many different areas that need to be addressed, it is strongly recommended to make a general plan and timeline for all things moving related. By making the first item on the to-do list staying flexible, a stress-free move can be well within reach.

Declutter the home

One of the biggest mistakes people make before moving is not taking the time to declutter first. To avoid moving boxes of items that will likely eventually be trashed upon arrival at the destination, save money by decluttering before the move. Go through each room one at a time identifying which things you no longer need or want that might be best donated or even trashed if they are beyond repair.

Take pictures of each room

Particularly for those rooms in which the setup will remain close to the same in the new home, taking pictures of each room can take the guesswork out of item placement and provide a guide map of sorts for unpacking and putting everything back where it goes.

Make an inventory checklist

While pictures of each room can help with cataloging inventory that is to be moved, it will not uncover what is in hidden spaces such as underneath the bed or in cabinets or closets. By making a list of home inventory it helps keep track of the items being moved. This can be valuable in the event that a box goes missing.

Do research on a professional moving company

Unless you are wanting to move yourself, which is seldom a stress-free experience, it is key to find an experienced and reputable professional moving company to entrust your move with. Be sure to confirm proper licensing, insurance, hiring processes for employees, and vehicle maintenance.

Hire a moving company that can move custom or specialty items

Not all items will fit neatly in a standard packing box. Larger pieces such as expensive paintings, grandfather clocks, pianos, and sculptures will require more special care when moving. Verify that the moving company you choose has the capacity to carefully pack these types of pieces and will be able to handle moving them to or from multi-story buildings, up staircases, via elevators, or other unique considerations.

Get an accurate quote

One of the most stressful parts of a move can be finding out on moving day that you have an additional ten to twenty boxes than what you were originally quoted for. This can create havoc on moving day as if there are an excessive number of boxes the mover has not accounted for, it can result in a significant price hike as well as potentially create the need for an additional moving vehicle. Avoid this predicament by having a representative from the moving company provide you with a more accurate in-home quote before packing ever begins.

Have someone pack for you

Of all the different responsibilities moving can include, packing tends to be the most dreaded. It can take days or even weeks to properly pack up a home in its entirety, making it feel like the more you pack, the more there seems to still be done. One way around this is to hire a moving company that offers packing services. Not only will this allow you time to focus on other aspects of moving, but it can also save you from having to locate and buy packing supplies because the company will bring those with them.

Keep important paperwork handy

During the course of the move, it is a good idea to keep important documents such as insurance papers, house information, medical information and passports in a central location for easy access upon arrival to the final destination. Decide ahead of time if putting these documents in a clearly labeled box or keeping it with you personally would be best.

Turn off utilities in the current home and turn on utilities in new home

Packing up your current home may be the main part of moving, but certainly not the only part. Do not forget to schedule the utilities in your current home to be turned off the day after your move. Also arrange to have the utilities for your new home turned on the day before your expected arrival at the new home.

Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer before the move

If taking the refrigerator and freezer with you, clean out and defrost the unit several days in advance. It will take time for the ice to melt and the unit to come to room temperature. If the refrigerator and freezer does not reach room temperature before the move, it is possible the unit might grow mold in transit.

Plan ahead if your move includes pets

Whether movers are going from room to room packing up personal belongings or in and out the front door as they load the moving van, it could be dangerous for pets that have free reign of the home. It may be necessary to consider getting a pet sitter to keep the pets and movers safe.

Arrange for someone to clean the home after you vacate it

Once you have vacated the home, it is important to leave it clean for the next resident. It is often a challenge for those that have moved out to locate their cleaning supplies to do so. To make cleaning the home more stress-free, consider enlisting the help of a professional cleaning company to do the final clean.

Know where you want things to go in the new home

To facilitate unpacking, have an idea of where the furniture should be placed when you arrive. Also designate which rooms will be used for what purpose so the moving boxes can be sorted accordingly.

Unpack quickly or have someone unpack for you

Settling into your new surroundings may be delayed if there are dozens of boxes still waiting to be unpacked. Consider allowing the moving company to unpack the boxes for you. This can be critical in helping everyone acclimate to their new surroundings and new life a little faster.