Six Seemingly Little Things That Make A Big Difference On Moving Day
Moving is an endeavor that seems to power ahead like a freight train. No matter what happens, the show must go on. What you need to focus on throughout your move is making sure that show is an enjoyable sitcom, and not a horror series! Here are six seemingly simple tasks that will make a huge difference in your success and your efficiency on moving day.
1. Buy Quality Moving Supplies
You may be tempted to buy the cheapest moving boxes you can find or to skimp and buy packing tape from the dollar store. But the little money you will save will soon be overshadowed by headaches when your boxes bend or the tape does not stick. Spend a few more dollars to buy tough, high-quality moving supplies; it will make your life so much easier on moving day.
2. Have a Plan
Don't just start the day figuring that everything will get done and work out well. Even though plans almost always change on moving day, it's still important to have a plan. This keeps everyone on track and gives you something to shoot for. Plan what time you'll start packing, what time you want to have the truck loaded by, and what you will pack where. The less thinking you need to do on the day of the move, the better!
3. Assign Tasks to Your Helpers
Make a list of the people who will be helping you move, and then assign tasks to each one. This helps ensure that each person is given tasks to which they are best suited. For instance, if your friend Susie is a master organizer but can't lift more than 20 pounds, you can assign her to label the boxes. If your friend Sam is a bodybuilder, he is a great person to lift furniture and load the moving truck.
4. Have Plenty of Trash Receptacles
It does not matter how good you are about sorting through your items beforehand. You will come across so many things you need to throw away while you're packing and moving! Make sure you have a lot of trash bags or trash cans on hand so you and your helpers know what to do with this trash and don't end up leaving it scattered all over the old home.
5. Make Plans for Cleaning Later
Usually, you will need to clean your old home after you've moved everything out of it. Trying to do this while you're packing or while the moving truck is loaded and sitting in the driveway is a huge hassle. An easier approach is to have a friend stay behind and clean after you have left. Or, you can hire a professional cleaning service to come into the home that evening.
6. Have Food on Hand
Having to take a break and prepare food can eat up a lot of time in the middle of the day. So try to get food to have on hand the day before you move. A tray of subs, for instance, can sit in the fridge overnight and serve as an excellent lunch the next day. Or, you can have a pizza delivered partway through the moving day. If you keep your helpers well fed, they will have an easier time staying focused.
Moving can be challenging, but remember to stay focused and work efficiently — and you'll be done before you know it! If the endeavor just seems too overwhelming, consider hiring a moving company. Full-service movers do everything from packing your glasses to loading the moving truck, so you can sit back and relax.
