The Two Month Checklist for Moving

Summer is the time to move. It’s when every other car in a traffic jam is a Uhaul, Penske, Two Men and a Truck, or a Pod. Unfortunately, this means that trying to move is infinitely harder because apartments go quickly, houses are off market quicker than they’re on, and truck rentals are a competitive event. The best thing you can do is start a checklist as early as 2 months out, and here’s why:

2 months before

• Start your research. More often than not people move at the last minute. Some people say they, “work best under pressure.” Unfortunately, last minute truck rentals can mean the difference of spending $50 versus spending $150. It also means, if you’re a renter, you might lose out on a great deal because you’re too pressed on time trying to find the cheapest apartment you can.
• Clean house. Trying to get rid of excess at the last minute can cost you. In a rush, we often just start throwing things away just to call it done. About months out, starting sorting through things you don’t need. Not only will this lessen the burden, physically, but it will also save you a lot of time and struggle on moving time.

1 month before

• Buy supplies. That includes buying boxes – especially necessary if you have to order them online. Get ducktape, permanent markers, bubble tape, newspaper, packing stuffing, etc. Start with the stuff you don’t use as much and work your way in to the daily things.
• Purge. Start throwing away frozen food or eating it. Particularly if your move is a long one, you don’t want to have to carry the extra weight around or worry about food spoiling. Start eating what you can.
• Choose a mover. Trucks go fast in the summer. Put your research to good use and choose the mover you need.

2 weeks before

• Start fixing. If you’ve lived in your current place for a while, chances are you have some collateral damage. Nail holes, dents, scratched trim and paint, dirty fridge and floors, the list can go on. Start doing what you can to minimize what you’ll have to do later. This also means you’ll get at least some of your deposit back.
• Change your address. Make sure that you change your address, otherwise your mail might get lost or forgotten. Worst case scenario, someone can take. So, two weeks out, change your address. You can do it online or through the postal office.
• Notify necessary parties. If you have credit card bills, your bank, family members or friends who frequently mail you things, or a favorite magazine, make sure you notify them two weeks out. It’s also a good time to switch your insurance – auto and home. You’ll need to update your policies. It’s easier today than it used to be. You can switch your policies with a few clicks of a button through your mobile app.

1 week before

• Pack your essentials. Whatever is left that needs to be packed, pack. This includes clothes, dishes, silverware, show supplies, etc.
• Clean. Start cleaning your fridge, defrost the freezer, scrub the oven, clean the bathroom, shampoo the carpets, and fix up the small stuff you haven’t gotten to. With everything boxed up, it will be easier to assess the small things that need to be fixed.

The day of move

• Take stock. After everything has been packed in the moving van, do one last walk through and clean. Make sure you’ve grabbed everything. Open all closet doors and closed drawers.
• Move. The final thing… Have a save move.

With the right check list, a difficult move can be an easy move. Having a plan in place, even if you don’t follow every step to the “t” is better than having no plan in place. It helps you to keep track of the stuff that’s easily forgotten and check off things you’ve already done. Make sure you’re one step ahead of the move!