Moving Timeline: When and How to Prepare for a Move

If you are trying to put together a move that will work, it pays to link up with a professional and put together a timeline. The best time to move depends on your needs and how much you would like to spend. 

Regardless, there are some planning steps that you can take to help you with the process of moving so that it is as seamless as possible. 

Use the tips below to put together your ideal moving timeline. 

1. Select an Off-Peak Season Move

The decision of when to move depends on your needs, budget, and preferences. If you want to save some money on your move and you have the flexibility, choose late fall, winter, or early spring to relocate.

Peak season is considered any time between April through September when the demand for movers is high. Steer clear of peak season unless it is absolutely necessary. 

2. Create a Budget

Decide on a moving budget. Include all of your moving costs, plus how much money you’ll need immediately after the move for furniture, upgrading, etc. Remember to include travel expenses, storage costs, and packing supplies.

3. Purge Before Packing

Be practical about the household goods you own. You probably don’t have to bring all of it with you. It will save time and money if you can scale back on your inventory. 

Sometimes these things might be of better use to others if you donate them or give them away. Go through all of your belonging before you pack them up and answer these questions:

  1. Do you absolutely love it, or could you live without it?
  2. Do you remember the last time you used it?
  3. Did you remember it until you just saw it?

Challenge yourself on everything you go through. Your answers will demonstrate how important these items are in your daily life.

4. Start Packing Early

Packing happens to be one of the most tedious parts of the moving process. Set aside as much time as possible to pack up all of your belongings. 

This means also getting your hands on the best boxes and shipping containers, and making sure that you keep an inventory of everything that you are putting inside of each. 

5. Notify Utilities

Schedule your utility service termination two weeks before your move. This will give you plenty of time to make adjustments in case your schedule changes.

Allow for some overlap of services. Keep your utilities in your current home in place for one or two days after your scheduled move date so that you’ll have lights and water if you have to come back to clean or finish up tasks at your old home. You will also want to have the utilities at your new house turned on a day or two before you move in to allow for changes in your moving schedule or to allow you to come early to prep your new home.

6. Prepare Your New Home

Prime and prep your new home before the move. If possible, before bringing that first box into your new home, spend some time prepping it. Change the locks and toilet seats. Clean the baseboard, ceiling fans, vacuum up and scrub down the kitchen and bathrooms.  If the walls need minor fixes like patching picture hook holes, take the opportunity to do this before you begin your own decorating.

Put Together the Best Moving Timeline For Your Needs

A successful move begins with a solid moving timeline and quality assistance.Contact us. We can help you put together a complete moving timeline as well as help with your move.