Many people consider moving to be one of the most difficult undertakings in life. That comes as no surprise, seeing how there’s a seemingly infinite amount of chores. Throw in a limited time to take care of them all, and you have a great recipe for stress. However, this ailment can be remedied quite easily. The first way is to get some of the best movers Buffalo NY offers to help you. This is also the easiest way, as they will take care of everything. The second way is to create a proper long-distance moving checklist. This demands a bit more engagement on your part. But it is more than doable if you commit and don’t stray away from your goals.
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There are some practical ways to create a proper long-distance moving checklist
Your checklist will be your best friend throughout the relocation. That’s why you should always have it on your person. You will often need to jot down some notes or refer to it to see what’s your next step. And what’s the one thing that you always carry with you, no matter where you go? That’s right – your smartphone. This device will be a great help to create a proper long-distance moving checklist. Download one of the many checklist apps and you’re good to go. Most of them have the option to synchronize across platforms. This will allow you to edit and organize your checklist on your PC, or any other device. Needles to say, this can be extremely convenient.
Take inventory – it will help you in the long run
Now, this part will be a bit tedious. Even so, you shouldn’t skip it. Taking inventory is an important part of the moving process. It will help you virtually every step of the way:
- Creating a moving budget
- Decluttering
- Getting packing supplies
- Packing
The inventory list will make getting through all these activities faster. And it will also help you to save some money.
Audit the budget
To create a proper long-distance moving checklist, you need to know how much the relocation is going to cost. Even a rough estimate will go a long way to help you plan. A good way to do this is to get a free moving estimate from a reputable moving company. However, it’s even better to schedule on-site estimates from several moving companies. These will be extremely precise, and you’ll know exactly where you stand.
Research movers before you hire them
Hiring a reputable moving company is the best way to handle relocation. They can help you with every aspect of the process, thus leaving you with a lot of free time and no worries. Still, you shouldn’t rush to hire just any movers. Review several long distance moving companies Buffalo NY offers. Interview them, read the reviews, and ask for an on-site estimate. It’s the only way to make an informed decision and choose the ones that will fit your needs and your budget.
Declutter to reduce the cost of the move
Getting rid of unnecessary belongings is a great way to strengthen the moving budget. The general rule of moving is: the more you move – the more you pay. Therefore, use the inventory list you created to get rid of all unnecessary belongings. To make some extra cash, you can sell them online, or through a yard sale. You can give away or donate furniture and items that remain. Thrash them only as the last resort.
Book the movers as soon as possible and remember that packing is demanding
After you’ve reviewed moving companies, it’s time to take your pick. It’s a good idea to book movers as soon as possible. This way you can ensure you get the time and date you desire. And it will spare you the additional costs if you’re moving during peak season. In some cases, you can even get a small discount for booking early. And that is always awesome.
This is the biggest time sink during a move. Therefore, you need to approach it systematically or hire professional packers. If you want to create a proper long-distance moving checklist, you must include these tasks:
- Get packing supplies – use the inventory list you made. That way, you won’t spend money on supplies you don’t need.
- Pack non-essentials – aim for this task to be done at least two weeks before the move.
- Pack everyday things – try to finish one week before the move.
- Prepare the essential bag/box – leave this for the week of the move.
It is recommended to handle these tasks in this order. It will make it a lot easier and you will save a lot of time. Also, as you pack, always take some extra time to label the boxes. It will be of immense help when you start unpacking. And it will also make loading and unloading much faster.
Make arrangements for children and pets
Little rugrats and furry pals are an endless source of fun and joy. Still, they should never be in the house on a moving day. When the chaos ensues, they will get upset and even stressed out. Not to mention that, on the day of the move, the house isn’t considered a safe environment. So, make arrangements to get them out of the house until the hustle passes. You can ask family or friends to babby-sit them, or schedule a daycare. Both are good options to keep them safe and sound.
Ask family and friends to help you with heavy lifting
Moving involves a lot of heavy lifting. Although you can do most of it alone, you will need help for bulkier items. Things like furniture and appliances are almost impossible to load/unload alone unless you have specialized equipment. Having help will help you finish the work faster and avoid injuries. And, of course, it will be a lot more fun in the company of family and friends. Therefore, notify them a few weeks in advance and “book” their services.
Refer to your checklist often
It will take some time to create a proper long-distance moving checklist. The good news is – you won’t have to do it all at once. Moving is a complex process, and new tasks will pop out left and right. This means that your checklist will grow and evolve over time to meet the requirements. With that in mind, here’s our final advice: write down everything. And we mean EVERYTHING. Even less important things such as “buy coffee”, “go to ATM”, and “don’t forget chargers.” In the chaos of moving, it’s easy to forget things you usually do not.
