How To Plot Your Moving Calendar

Transferring from one home to another requires proper planning and organization. Making a moving calendar is crucial in ensuring you don’t miss out on anything. A timeline for relocation can help you organize your tasks more efficiently, making your pre-move preparation more efficient.

In this article, you’ll find some valuable tips on how to plan a timeline for this life-changing event.

Creating a moving calendar

Anyone who’s had to move at least once in their lifetime will tell you that a home transfer is one of life’s most stressful and challenging phases. However, learning about these moving tips can help make your transition less painful.

When it comes to planning, earlier is always better. Moving experts often suggest preparing as early as three months or at least two months before your moving date.

Priority #1: Two to three months before the relocation

The first step in planning a home move is to think about the approach you’d like to take, especially when it comes to logistics. This aspect is crucial in any relocation and requires the most prolonged preparation. From two to three months before the big day, below are the things you must prioritize:

Look for moving companies: Whether transferring within state or crossing borders, it’s crucial to look for a reliable moving company to transport your valuables securely from your former to your new property.

Once you’ve chosen a reputable moving company to work with, start discussing travel arrangements, costs, service inclusions, and other terms. Read about your rights and responsibilities and consider getting extra insurance for prized assets. (1) (2)

Declutter: Getting rid of the items you don’t need helps you choose the right truck size or seek additional arrangements—for instance, renting a storage space to keep bulky items. Decluttering not only helps reduce your moving costs, but it can also help you achieve a more comfortable living space in your new property, signaling a fresh start. (3)

Decide on your moving budget: List down all the moving expenses you may include. Discuss whether you and your family members are flying or driving to the new location. If doing the latter is out of the question, arrange to have your vehicle shipped to your new home. Getting your car towed by the moving company is also possible, but you’ll need to discuss this with the firm. (2) (4)

Priority #2: One to two months before moving

Inform your friends, family members, service providers about the transfer: List down all utilities and service providers that your need to inform, cancel, or update. Arrange utilities for your new home, too, at least one day before your scheduled move. (3)

If you’re renting a property, inform the manager and ask whether you can forward your letters and other vital written communication to your new address. (2)

Apply for new accounts using your new address: Besides looking at your current providers, check the new area so you can transfer your bank, insurance, and other accounts, if possible. If not, apply for a new one. Don’t forget to look for schools, healthcare facilities, and shopping malls in your new place. (1)

Keep a moving documents folder: To organize your papers better, start making a new folder filled with documents related to the moving process. Collect essential documents such as invoices and receipts and contracts for your new home so you can check on them anytime. Take photos or scan these documents so have an electronic copy as a backup. Include contact numbers of service providers such as moving and storage companies. (3)

Priority #3: One month before your moving date

Learn to pack systematically: Finding out how to pack appropriately ensures all items fit inside the truck and reduces the risk of lost or forgotten boxes. Start packing items that you don’t use frequently. If possible, label boxes, number them, and include an item checklist. You can even assign a code for every room to make the unpacking process more manageable. As mentioned, getting rid of the items you don’t need as early as possible can be extremely helpful. (1) (2)

Priority #4: One to two weeks before your relocation date

Confirm arrangements with utilities and moving companies: Go through all the arrangements with the moving company and confirm everything at least two weeks before the date. In addition, ensure that utility companies have agreed to turn off the electricity, water, telephone, and internet services in the morning of your moving schedule or the night before. Similarly, confirm that essential services in your new home are ready on the day you move in or the day after. (1)
Prepare a suitcase with one week’s worth of essentials: When packing, leave essential items like sets of clothes and toiletries for each family member. Don’t forget to include food, a first aid kit, phone, or device chargers. Inform your children where to find these items. Pack a box of cleaning materials for the new home too. (1) (2)

On the big day

Before leaving your old home, make sure you get the moving staff’s phone numbers so you can contact them for follow-up and any concerns. Keep all documents, receipts, and small valuable items like jewelry in a small safe. Perform a final check in your home to confirm that there are no boxes left and all the utilities have been turned off. (1) (2)

Final thoughts

Moving to a new home can be frustrating, what with the various things a homeowner has to do. In between packing, decluttering, and looking for moving trucks and storage spaces, a homeowner has to deal with many other things—for instance, canceling and transferring utilities and service providers.

Creating a moving calendar can help you organize your home transfer better. It also helps ease the stress in looking for service providers, especially truck movers, by prioritizing the most urgent activities early on in the process.

References