Moving Tips
Ah, moving. While we enjoy our work, we know it can be a rather tedious task for most people who don’t love moving like we do. There’s a lot to take care of before moving out, and just as much to do after the move.
From the moment you sign your lease or make an offer on your home — to the very last box you unpack at your new place — moving is a unique challenge. But don’t let that stress you out. Ameritex Movers has you covered. Here are some simple moving tips to help ensure you have a Stress-Free Move.
Check out the infographic below for the top 10 moving tips. Print and keep this somewhere visible to help you stay organized throughout your move.
Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of all the moving tips you need to know.
One of the Most crucial Moving Tips: Organize!
Even before the ink has dried on your housing documents, you should be thinking ahead. The moving process encompasses far more than dragging out a few boxes and throwing in your belongings. Consider all of the components of your move, from start to finish. Make a detailed plan and begin to tackle it immediately.
At least two weeks before moving, change your address. First, fill out the Change of Address form at your local post office or online. Then, start alerting other companies or individuals who might need to know about your new address. Here are some examples:
- Care providers
- Subscriptions
- Utilities
- Financial institutions
- Government
- Employer
- Schools and churches
- Emergency contacts
Arrange for a storage unit, if needed. It’s possible to get by without a storage unit, especially if you’re leasing your home or apartment. As a renter, you can often time your old lease to give you a few extra days for moving. But things get trickier if you’re selling a home and buying another one — sometimes you’re looking at a pretty long wait. Consider renting a storage unit, or look into portable storage containers.
Make a shopping list for your essentials. Toilet paper, paper towels, snacks — these are things you absolutely need to have as soon as you move into your new place. Make it easier on yourself by planning your list ahead of time. You don’t want to be caught without these items in a pinch. Once you move in, you can begin shopping for fun items like home decor and cute storage solutions.
Put together a box of useful cleaning supplies. Fill it with items like:
- Cleaning gloves
- Sponges
- Scrub brush
- Magic Eraser
- Dust rags
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bleach
- Spray bottles
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
Keep this box handy, and use it to clean up both the old place and the new one.
Clean and Prep Your House
You’d be surprised how many things need a good, thorough cleaning before you go. If you rent, this is even more important. Since a new tenant will be coming in right after you, the entire place should be spotless. Your landlord likely expects everything to be as clean as it was when you moved in — and you can face a fine if it’s not. Cleaning your old home is not the way to begin your fresh start, so start the process well in advance.
Clean your stove the night before leaving. Cleaning stovetops is WORK, and it takes time. Trust us, you don’t want to get stuck doing this on move day, so take care of it the night before. If you have a gas stove, remove the grates and soak them overnight to get rid of any built-up gunk.
Clean your fridge, microwave, and other appliances. It’s amazing how grimy your appliances can get over time. If you’ve never cleaned them before, learn the proper steps by checking manuals, consulting clean-freak family and friends, or searching online.
Consider hiring a cleaning service. Professional cleaners can be a lifesaver. They can complete your deep cleaning far more quickly than you can do by yourself. By hiring pros, you’ll have extra time to complete other last-minute tasks.
Disconnect water valves to appliances and defrost freezers. Doing this the day before will allow for a safe and Stress-Free Move. Just make sure to remove all food items beforehand, or you’ll be in for a nasty surprise.
Remove fuel from lawn equipment. It is dangerous to transport flammable items, so drain the fuel to prevent spills, messes, or accidents.
Document everything. Take detailed pictures of every room in your old home, particularly if you rent. Your landlord will expect you to leave everything just as you found it. These pictures can serve as evidence if any problems or disputes arise — especially if you snapped similar pictures when you moved in.
Pack Mindfully
Being organized goes a long way in making the moving and packing process as stress-free as possible. It never hurts to start early. Have a plan, stick to it, follow these moving tips, and enjoy your new place!
Color coordinate. Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for the kitchen, or orange for the dining room. Apply colored stickers on the box near the box number. In your new home, put a matching sticker or sign on the door to each room. This way, the movers will know where to put everything when they unload. It’s also helpful to post a sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked. This keeps boxes out of the way of furniture and high-traffic areas.
Keep things together. Keeping similar items together will help you stay organized when it’s time to unpack. For example, keep all linens together, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. You can use tape to attach small, loose parts to the item they belong to, or place them in small envelopes to prevent them from getting misplaced.
Stow valuables in a safe place. Your professional movers are not responsible for your valuables. These items may include jewelry, money, passports, marriage licenses, birth certificates, silverware collections, or antiques. Pack a box of these items, and keep it in a safe place.
Make a personal box. Make an essentials box for each person to fill with the necessities they’ll need right away. For example, in our personal box, we might add: a change of clothes or pajamas, set of sheets and towels, extension cord, phone and phone charger, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrush, pens and paper, and so on.
Keep the most important items with you. At minimum, this includes all valuables, moving documents and real estate contracts, and your personal box. Plan to bring these things in your personal vehicle instead of placing them in the moving truck.
Perform a last-minute walk through. Once the last box is on your moving truck, make one last sweep through your home. This ensures you don’t leave anything behind, and you can quickly clean up any small messes you come across.
Things to do after you move in
It’s never too early to start thinking about what to do once you get moved in at your new place. Having a game plan will make the process flow more smoothly and keep you sane.
Locate your personal box. Remember that personal box we suggested that you pack? Now is the perfect time to get it out. Even if you don’t get as far in the unpacking process as you’d planned, at least you’ll have the necessities to get you through the first night.
Create an oasis. It’s important to have one space you can escape to in all of the unpacking chaos. Decide what room that will be, and unpack that first. Common sanctuaries are the kitchen, bedroom, or bath area.
Have a method to your madness. Try to be as organized as possible. That might mean unpacking one room at a time. Or, it could entail opening boxes in order of importance. Whatever method you choose, complete your unpacking in manageable chunks and take plenty of breaks. Get out and explore your new neighborhood, find fun places to eat and shop, and clear your head.
Upcycle your moving boxes. Don’t just toss all those moving boxes. Before you throw them away, check out some fun crafts and ideas for repurposing.
Fill your home with hand-crafted items. Feeling creative and need to fill some of those empty spaces in your new home or apartment? Get some great DIY furniture ideas on the Ameritex Houston Movers DIY Furniture Page.
What’s Next?
Do you still need to hire your professional local movers? Start by filling out the easy quote form at the top of the page for your free moving estimate. Or call Ameritex at 713.484.6683 — we’re always happy to answer any of your moving-related questions.
If you are looking for additional resources in your area, check out these resource pages for our different service areas:
