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Between creating a packing list, hiring movers, sorting everything out and packing for the move the moving experience can get overwhelming.

Waiting until the last minute to develop your moving plan can cause even more chaos. Here are some essential steps to include in your planning process.

1. Create a Moving Timeline

One of the keys to staying organized is to put all of the elements down in writing. Develop a list and assign completion dates for each task.

The moving process should start as early as possible and having a moving timeline to follow will help keep you on track. You can download one online then personalize it for your needs.

2. Inquire About Local Moving Companies

Securing a moving company is one of the first and most important steps in moving. It’s ideal to start searching approximately two months before your move.

Do some online research on local movers. Look for a moving company in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Look for a moving company that is well established and has been in business for a number of years, and confirm that online reviews are positive.

Make sure the company is licensed and that the workers are bonded and insured. Check out the website of each moving company to learn more about their services.

Once you have focused your list, contact the company for an estimate.

3. Purge Unnecessary Items

Before packing up all your belongings, take the time to sort through everything and purge items you no longer use or need.

Depending on how much stuff you have to get rid of and how much time you have, consider having a garage sale. Another way to make a little money from the sale of items it to place them on online websites or apps like eBay or Poshmark.

Or you can always donate old clothes and toys to charities like Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Finally, start finishing up any perishable foods because you won’t be able to move those items.

4. Begin Packing

If you prefer not to do the packing yourself, contact your moving company to inquire about their packing services.

If you opt to pack your own belongings rather than hire professional packers, you should start the process at least a month before the big day. Commit to packing a few boxes every day.

Holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, dress attire can be packed days or weeks in advance. Items you need daily should be packed as close to your moving date as possible.

Keep items from one room packed together in the same boxes. Label each box appropriately and label each side of the box. Make sure items are secure in the box by filling up any empty space with packing paper.

5. Pack an Essentials Box

Pack a box that will stay with you that includes important items for your first night and day in your new home.

Ideally, this essentials box will include necessities like medication, toiletries, bedding, snacks, paper towels, soap, cleaning supplies, garbage bags and a toolkit. Think about would items you will want to have on hand with easy accessibility. Pack them in this essentials box so that you can have peace of mind.

6. Get the Word Out About Your Move

A month before moving, begin notifying others of your move. Fill out an online change-of-address form with the US Post Office.

Contact utility companies at your current address as well as new location. Arrange for utility services to be set up at your new address, and schedule the cancellation at your old address.

Inform all your family and friends about your new address as well. Provide them with your new contact information via email or text.

Final Thoughts

Remember to begin your moving process early and implement a timeline plan. With these moving steps, your move is sure to be a success!

Do you need help with your move, contact us for a free quote today!

Are you moving from your family home? Perhaps your children have now left, and it’s time to downsize to a smaller location.

We all know that downsizing can be difficult, you’ll need to either store or part with some beloved items in your home.

You have spent your hard earned money purchasing everything in your house. Or, perhaps you are surrounded by numerous boxes filled with your child’s drawings, their first pair of shoes, their first book, and first A-graded assignment.

Don’t fall into the trap of saving everything! Want to learn how to downsize without hoarding? Follow these basic rules.

1. Enlist the Help of Friends

Sometimes, you need a friend to offer a shoulder of support. Choose a friend that will be firm and help you make the right decisions. It’s time to purge your belongings, so you need to be a bit ruthless.

Just remember that your friend is doing this as a favor, so no arguments, please! You are purging items, not friendships!

2. Ask yourself three important questions

• When did I last use this item?
• Do I plan to use it again? (The answer “Well, I might,” is probably the same as “no.”)
• What is the worst case scenario if I don’t have this item?

Hopefully, by answering these questions, you’ll realize if it is essential to keep.

If you are still unsure, establish a ‘maybe’ storage box so you can come back to that item later and have another look at it at the end of the day. Only allow one storage box for this exercise. If there is no room to add a new item to the “maybe” box, then you’ll have to get rid of something before you can add another.

You never know, as the day progresses, you might become more decisive.

3. Be realistically sentimental

This is one of the hardest things to do because sentimental feelings are powerful. If you feel especially connected to some items, think about where you might store them in your house. If the item is one of a kind, will it continue to be stored in the closet or put on display?

If you have a whole draw-load of artwork or projects from your children, keep one or two favorites and perhaps frame those. Take a photo of the others together for remembrance and then discard them.

4. Don’t give up!

Once you have gone through all of the items in your house, you’ll feel much better. Now you won’t take things that you won’t use or see to your new home.

After your purging is complete, treat your helpful friend to a nice meal to celebrate. You’ll both need it!

Help With the Move?

If you need help executing the move to your new home contact us! We can help!

Relocating your office and team is a massive task for any company. There is a lot to think about, so we’ve put together top tips to save time and money. Above all else, you’ll keep yourself from some unnecessary stress.

Plan in Advance

An office move is a lot of hard work, and planning is your key to success. For a small company, three to six months of planning is needed. For a medium to large company move, at least six to eight months of preparation is necessary.

Determine your needs for your new space and develop a timeline and checklist to make sure you stay on track.

Begin the process as early as possible. As soon as you have established your move date, contact moving companies for estimates, and secure one as quickly as possible.

Assign Your Team

Involve your staff in the move. Consider assigning a moving team or committee. This team can help organize the move and help transition the rest of the employees.

This moving team can help assign tasks and set deadlines for the move.

Create a Communications Plan

It is essential for your company to establish both an internal and external communication plan.

The internal communications plan for your employees will help keep them apprised of important events and procedures during the move.

An external communications plan will be for your valued external partners such as your customers and vendors. Develop a plan to communicate and share your new address, contact, and marketing information as well as to alert your customers and vendors about any downtime your office might have during the move.

Protect Confidential Information

Many office documents have confidential information included on them. Establish processes and policies to ensure that this information stays safe during the move.

Plan to Purge

At the back of those filing cabinets, there is likely old paperwork that hasn’t seen the light of day for years. Determine if you need to take it all with you. Have workers purge outdated documents based on standards you have established for retention.

Consider scanning documents into an electronic version or shredding the old ones that are no longer needed. Remember, the less you take, the less it will cost to move.

Take a Detailed Inventory

Assign a move manager for each department and ensure that they have involved their staff early on. Ask for them to keep a detailed inventory of each box and provide clear labeling. Consider using a color-coding system as the material is boxed up.

Check Insurance

Check with your insurance provider to see if you need specialized coverage during your move and transition period. Also, make sure that your insurance policies carry over to your business’s new location. You might need to update or adjust your coverage.

Keep insurance and emergency contact information with you during the moving process. This is important information to have handy.

Remember Time is Money

Moving an entire office can be stressful for everyone involved. Make sure that you have everything planned well in advance and that you have clearly communicated to all team members what will happen.

Let Browning Moving & Storage help your company with its relocation. Contact us today!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully executed your move and are living in your new house. But, how do you make it feel like a home? Follow these simple tips, and you’ll soon feel settled.

Deep Clean

For many of us, deep cleaning feels like a chore, but it will help you feel more settled. If you have the chance, start cleaning before you make the move. Otherwise, make the time to work around the furniture and the boxes.

Once you’ve scrubbed out the nooks and crannies of the house, you’ll feel in a much better position to start organizing. It will be well worth the effort.

Be Comfy

Sometimes, it’s the everyday comforts that make us feel established.

Don’t forget to pack your clean sheets and bedding in an “open first” box so that you have them immediately when you get to the new house. Make up the beds first so that at the end of a long moving day you will have a place to lay your tired body.

Light some of your favorite scented candles to fill your home with a familiar aroma that will have you creating new memories in your home.

Stick to Your Regular Routine

If you used to wake up in your old house and wander around with a coffee, then get everything in place so that you can do that in your new home.

If you used to throw your keys on the hallway table, then make sure that table is in place as well.

Recreating a routine will help you feel settled. Remember, you can always change it later.

Cook Some Homemade Meals

Nothing can beat the smell and pleasant feelings that come with a lovingly cooked meal. Keep the recipes simple, and you can’t go wrong.

Enjoy your new kitchen and appliances. Bring everyone together for a family meal and your new house will start to feel like home.

Relax in Each Room

Take the opportunity to get to know each room. Discover everything about your new place.

Learn what you like most about each room; Which room is best for the sun in the morning? What is the best way to organize the linen closet? Learn where all the light switches are.

Think of your new house as your new best friend and try to get to know everything about it.

Decorate

A new home gives you a chance for new decorating possibilities.  Now that you are in your new place it’s time to get some decorating inspiration.

Check out the numerous inspiring Pinterest boards and perhaps consult your friends for advice on where to purchase new decor items to fill your home. Take a little time to plan out what colors you want in your new home.

You may want to paint some rooms to personalize your space. Look online, and you’ll find thousands of unique house projects that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Take Your Time

Take your time with adjusting. Your new house might not feel like home after the first evening, but step by step you’ll soon feel like it is. Take the time to relax and enjoy the comforts of your new home.

Need Help Moving

Our crews are ready to handle your move. Give us a call.