7 Ways to Make Moving Day Less Stressful

You’ve sold your house and are ready to move into a new one, but how do you avoid the looming giant headache? Here’s 7 tips to make moving less stressful Realtor.com offers some helpful tips.

1. Follow the rule of 2’s

When you know a move is imminent, there’s a tendency to procrastinate, which can add to the stress. Stay on track by following the rule of twos:

Start planning 2 months before moving day, and start packing 2 weeks before.

If possible, give yourself eight weeks to handle your moving chores in an orderly, low-stress manner. This will give you time to send change-of-address information, pack up your home, arrange to transfer your child’s school records and more.

2. Make a checklist

Don’t try to commit your moving to-do list to memory. Be sure to make a checklist that includes the following:

Contact your utilities company to change or cancel service

Schedule cable and Internet installation

Update your home insurance

Hire a moving company

Update your billing address

3. Think of packing as a marathon, not a sprint

Pack in sections and go room by room to avoid getting overwhelmed. Begin with small tasks in every room, including each drawer and cabinet. Packing should be considered a progressive process, not something you complete overnight. And don’t forget to label each box with the contents and the name of the room where it will be unpacked as you tape each one closed.

4. Get acquainted with your new floor plan

Don’t assume that all of your furniture will fit in your new place. Room sizes won’t match up exactly, so you’ll want to measure all of your furniture to make sure it will fit where you want it to. Obtain a copy of your new home’s floor plan as soon as you close, so you’ll have time to make other arrangements if necessary.

5. Pack an emergency bag

When you arrive at the house on moving day, you’ll want to have easy access to your daily necessities like medicine and a toothbrush, so having a box or bag that you can immediately go to that has everything you need to survive a couple of nights is ideal. Pack the following essentials in this bag or box: toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap and shampoo); an extra change of clothes; a towel; important medications; toilet paper; a book or other entertainment; chargers for cellphone and computer; and a checkbook.

6. Arrange parking

If you won’t have a driveway to load and unload the moving truck, you’ll want to scope out where you can park. Don’t assume you’ll be able to park the truck on the side of the road. Some cities allow you to reserve a parking spot, but make sure you do this well before moving day. Some cities require at least a week’s notice, and it can take a couple of business days for the city to post a no-parking sign.

7. Check-in with your moving company

Double-check your reservations with the movers two weeks ahead of time to confirm what time they’ll show up on moving day, and then check in again the day before the move to make sure you’re both on the same page. And while you’re checking reservations, make sure you know what your responsibilities are. Every moving company is different, and some have specific requirements. Being unprepared on moving day can add a lot of stress and potential extra costs to your move.

➼➼Have you tried any of these tips? What helps you unpack the stress during a move?