Consistently ranking in the top ten of highly stressful life events is moving. That stress is often underscored by the excitement of living in newer or bigger digs, but the frenetic chaos of “Moving Day” and the fear of having your belongings damaged usually trumps any positive feelings you may have…at least until the final box is placed, unscathed, in your new home! Of course, one very important way to ensure your moving day goes as smoothly as possible is to spend the weeks and months leading up to that day planning and preparing. After all, you don’t want the explosive stress of having to pack the night before your move, or even worse- as the movers are loading the truck! Get ready for Moving Day with Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde‘s proactive and comprehensive list of tips and strategies for moving; it will help you feel confident, calm, and ready for your big day!
Get Ready for Moving Day by Starting
Early with Your Planning
Some things don’t suffer from a little avoidance and procrastination, like scheduling a haircut or returning a telemarketer’s phone call. Others, like defusing a bomb or planning your moving day, require immediate and thorough attention.
The first step you need to take to get ready for moving day is to create a moving checklist for yourself. This will allow you to break down all the tasks required of you into manageable steps that you can then schedule for completion. This includes things like booking movers, notifying service providers, and packing all your belongings. These steps can be further subdivided for ease and convenience. For example, under the “packing” heading, you can first list what is unnecessary or won’t be used by the time you move, and pack them weeks or months in advance (i.e. old books, knick-knacks, trophies, etc.). Essentials like clothing and toiletries can wait till the week of your move, and should definitely be at the bottom of your packing list.
With your tasks now firmly accounted for and enumerated, it’s time to set a timeline to have them completed. Working backward from your moving date, you can establish deadlines for each task based on their urgency and importance. For example, one of the first things you should take care of is hiring a moving company for your move-in date, as availability tends to become scarce during prime moving months (i.e. late spring and summer).
Finally, before or as you begin packing, you should practice decluttering. Sell, donate, or discard what you no longer use or want, from old furniture to clothing and everything in between. This way, you don’t have to move extra junk to your new home while paying someone else to do it. Also, you may be able to earn a little extra pocket money by selling your undesirable belongings!
Organize Your Packing
A major reason people experience tension and anxiety on Moving Day is out of fear for the safety of their belongings. After all, nobody wants scratched furniture, chipped appliances, or broken dishes and mementos in their new home.
One way to sidestep this problem and get ready for moving day is to obtain high-quality packing and moving supplies. Now’s not the time to go cheap if you are seriously concerned about the safety of your possessions, so begin by buying clear, hard plastic containers. Not only will you be able to see what’s in the container clearly, but they are easily stackable and sometimes even interlocking, ensuring they won’t tip over easily. Of course, sturdy cardboard boxes of uniform size can also work well for a move. Rounding out your supply list should be strong packing tape, packing paper and bubble wrap, and markers.
As you pack, it is a good idea to clearly label each box by its contents and destination rooms for easier unpacking. You can also use different colored stickers designated for different rooms to make the job of unpacking quicker and more efficient (i.e. blue sticker = kitchen, green = bedroom, etc.).
Finally, you should prepare a “first day/week kit” with toiletries, clothes, snacks, and important documents for quick and easy access. You should pack these essentials separately from your other containers and boxes so you don’t end up hunting for them once the movers have left.
Coordinate Logistics
Aside from the engine, the next essential motorcycle part you’ll want to ensure is winterized properly is the battery. After all, if it becomes cracked, corroded, or damaged, you won’t be abl
Coordinating logistics is another essential way to get ready for moving day, especially regarding vital action points like hiring movers.
Ideally, you’ll want to hire reliable movers or rent a truck as early as possible to secure your move date. Waiting till the last minute to book these essential moving elements is an excellent way to end up without either, or paying exorbitant sums for a last-minute service. Research your companies thoroughly through online reviews and word of mouth, and book well in advance to secure your preferred dates and rates.
You should also take the opportunity to update your addresses with essential residential services about one month before you move, including your bank, utility companies, and postal service. This will ensure a seamless transition from one domicile to the next. While you’re at it, you should contact any commercial services you routinely use and update your address as well, so that your Amazon and eBay packages get to your new home easily!
Finally, if you are moving into an apartment or condo, it’s a good idea to check the building rules and policies with property management, so you know where and when you can transport your belongings to your new home.
e to provide the electrical power you need to start your engine effectively, or at all.
Prepare for motorcycle storage for winter by removing the battery completely and storing it in a cool, dry place to avoid freezing. This way, you can avoid the battery cracking and seeping acid into your motorcycle, potentially ruining vital parts and mechanisms through corrosion.
As your battery sits in your home through the winter, use a battery tender or charger to maintain its charge until you’re ready to reinstall it come spring. Doing so will keep your battery revved and ready to go. Additionally, it will help you avoid sulfation from setting in and lessening your battery effectiveness.
Finally, you should check your terminals and connectors for any corrosion. Clean them thoroughly with water and baking soda and apply dielectric grease to prevent any further deterioration from occurring.
Prepare for Moving Day
Once you’ve done your due diligence with planning, packing, and logistics, it’s time to take care of some last-minute items to get ready for moving day. First, you should pack a cooler with some water and snacks so you can stay hydrated and energized during the move. As you or your movers prepare large furniture pieces and appliances for the move, cover them with thick plastic coating or moving blankets, especially around corners. This will protect these items, as well as your floors and walls, from damage during loading and unloading. Finally, assign roles and delegate tasks to the people lending you a hand, to keep everyone on track and reduce confusion.
Starting early, staying organized, and managing logistics are 90% of the battle when prepping for a seamless moving day. Of course, you can’t control the unforeseen circumstances that are bound to occur on a day that involves so many moving parts (no pun intended), but if something arises, approach it with patience and flexibility, knowing that your preparation will help minimize your stress!
Ready for your next big move? Use Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde’s tips to take the hassle out of moving day and make your transition a breeze!