Moving takes a lot of time, a lot of work, and a lot of planning. The entire process, from finding a new home, to selling your old one, to deciding what to take with you, to packing up, can take weeks, or even months. And yet, it all comes down to one big day: moving day.
Moving day can be relatively painless, or it can be extremely stressful. We’re guessing you’d rather keep things on the “painless” side, so here are a few tricks to help you do just that.
Pack a suitcase.
The first few days in your new home are going to be very busy. You don’t want to overcomplicate matters by having to search through packed boxes for clean clothes or a toothbrush. Instead, pack a suitcase for the first day or two, just like you would if you were going on a trip. It will give you a lot of peace of mind knowing that you’re able to access all the most important things right away.
Clear the fragile items.
If you’re hiring professional movers, they are probably trained to handle fragile items with special care. As long as your boxes are clearly labeled as “fragile,” they will probably be just fine. However, if you’re just having friends or family help you with your move, your fragile items may not be in the best hands. It may be best to move those boxes aside to handle yourself later. You could even consider renting a storage unit to safely keep them out of the way until you’re ready for them in your new home. If you have valuable or collectible fragile items, this may be the best way to protect them.
Get help.
Speaking of help, don’t try to convince yourself you can move on your own. It’s a lot of work and a lot of lifting, and chances are, you’ll have some items that are simply too difficult to move alone. Professional movers are great, but they can be expensive. Even if all you can do is ask a few friends, family members, or neighbors for some help, it would probably be in your best interest to do so. Don’t forget: you’ll want help at the house you’re leaving and the one you’re moving into.
Keep everyone happy.
Happy movers equals a happy move. Make sure you’re creating a pleasant environment for your helpers and yourself. Have snacks readily available, including more substantial options like donuts or pizza, along with plenty of cold drinks. If you can, play music as everyone works to keep spirits lifted and energy high.
Be the stage director.
When you’re at your new home, you’ll want to unload each box into the right spot (no need for kitchen utensils in your upstairs bathroom!). Your helpers won’t be familiar with your new house yet, so someone will need to direct everyone where to go with each box. If your boxes are already clearly and consistently labeled, you could also simply give everyone a tour before you start, so they know where to put the labeled boxes. Either way, you need to be readily available to answer questions.
Send the kids away.
For moving day, it’s probably best to not have young children or pets running around, adding to the chaos. See if you can leave them with a friend or family member for the day. It will make things much less stressful for you, and your kids probably wouldn’t enjoy moving day anyway.
Moving day will be a big day, but with a little planning, a little organization, and a few deep breaths, you’ll get through it easily.
If you’re looking for self-storage in the Phoenix area to help with your move, check out Arizona Storage Centers. Our facilities offer secure on-site storage with many size options, and features such as climate control in some of our units. And with locations around the valley, including Phoenix, Deer Valley, Glendale, Chandler, and Gilbert, you’ll be able to find storage that is as convenient as it is helpful. Give us a call at 480-386-6022 today.
