Printable moving checklist: A well-explained moving planner

Moving is both an exciting and overwhelming process. It needs a lot of patience and planning to have a smooth and hassle-free move. You need to make a moving planner and moving checklist to stay organized as being organized means half work done. Make sure you plan things as much ahead as possible. It is recommended to use a printable moving checklist and break your tasks into stages as this will ensure the success of the task and will save you from getting overwhelmed.

Here we present a list of tasks that will need your immediate attention after you decide on your moving date: 

• Research about reliable moving service providers as soon as you get to know about the move.

• Sort all your belongings and get rid of anything and everything that is not in use or you haven’t used in a while.

• Get permissions from your current and new housing society for the use of elevators and parking areas on your moving day.

• Get enough packing supplies.

• Arrange a garage sale to sell off stuff that you have taken out while sorting.

• Get insurance for all your valuables.

• Check all your heavy and valuables if they need any repairs.

• Find a good school for your school-going children.

• Meet a real estate advisor for a house in your selected area. 

Now, that you know what all is there on the planner to do. Make a schedule and timeline for all the tasks mentioned above and mark a timeline for each task. Complete every task and mark it done. Don’t forget to create a digital folder for all your moving activities and moving-related receipts. You can create this folder in Google Drive or Dropbox. 

Let’s Start Working on the Planner

• Make a moving budget as this will help you in deciding if you want to move on your own or you want to hire movers for full or partial services. The moving budget will include all the moving-related costs. Though it will be an estimate of the original price, you will get an idea. 

• If you have decided on a DIY move then make sure that you have included all the hidden and after charges that you may have to bear and the extra help that you will have to take from your family and friends.

• Find a reliable moving company and for this, call at least three moving companies for in-home estimates and compare their quoted prices along with the services mentioned by them. 

• Don’t forget to check the authenticity of your selected moving company. Check its license and if it is insured. 

• Visit your new locality to have a proper idea of the area. Visit your new home well before your move to see the condition of the house. See if it needs any repairs and/or maintenance. Meet your neighbours to get an idea of the surroundings and availability of grocery and other mandatory stuff. Try to make some friends.

• Make a list of nearby schools and visit them and finally, get your child’s admission done so that your child can have a normal life immediately after your move and get adjusted to the new place.

• Talk to your kids about the move and their new school. Don’t show them a rosy picture only, tell them all the changes and transitions that they will go through and how this move can benefit them and the family in a long run. Children adjust early when they are treated equally and are told everything. Including your children in the important discussions make them confident and strong. This way you will not have to handle the post-move trauma that your child may face.

• Give notice to your current landlord right in time to avoid any last-minute mess.

• Buy all the moving and packing related supplies and try to pack all the rarely used stuff early. You can consider packing all the stored items and seasonal goods before you pack your routine things and kitchen items. 

• Notify your children’s school, your workplace, your utility providers, your health provider, and your bank about your move and apply for a change in the address.

• Start using up your frozen eatables a week before your move to avoid any wastage.

• Sell or donate your unwanted and non-required possessions.

• Measure all the heavy and large furniture items and the hallways, stairways, and lift doors at your new place to be sure about the easy movement of all these items.

• Dispose of or throw away hazardous goods and/or flammable items if there are any. 

• Confirm your date and time of your move with your moving company.

• Last but not least, stay calm at the time of your move. You cannot manage the process properly if you will get panicked. 

Staying organized during the moving process is your key to have a smooth relocation experience. Use these tips as well as a moving checklist and ensure that you enjoy moving to your new house.