Making the Right Move - Easier

Smooth Moves - Right Into Your New Home

So far in this series about moving house, we've covered planning in Do You Have Smooth Moves?   and then went on to give tips about packing in  Smooth Moves - Keep on Truckin' . Today, let's see how everything comes together on Moving Day.


Tools You'll Need
 - Black marking pens

 - Colored labels (large dots or squares in multiple colors).  Use the same ones
    you put onto your " COLOR CODING FOR EACH ROOM IN NEW HOME" that
    you've prepared ahead of time, including your numbering scheme for multiple
    rooms such as bathrooms and bedrooms.

 - Roll of Scotch tape

 - Cooler and frozen ice packs


Step 3 - The Night Before the Move

Food Prep

You'll have been gradually eating and drinking up the items in your refrigerator, freezer and pantry so that you don't have to move too much food. In the course of clearing your pantry and fridge, throw away any food that is past its date. Of course, if your new home is a plane trip away, you will dispose of all foodstuffs before your move. Remember that any dry goods that are unopened and still fresh can be donated to your local food pantry.

For drive-to moves, get whatever cold foods you want to take down to an amount that will fit in a cooler that fits in your car along with your suitcases. Make sure that any liquids are in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Put your ice packs into the freezer early in the evening of the night before.

Items to Go with You in the Car

Make sure your suitcases are packed according to the lists you made earlier.

Get the "in-car" backpacks and small bags packed before you go to bed. Follow the lists you made earlier so you remember everything. Last minute items should include both prescription medications as well as over-the-counter ones (Advil, Alleve, etc.).

The Kids are All Right

If you have small children, it's best to have friends or family babysit them off-premises on moving day, so the movers don't have to watch out for them.

Bow Meow Chirp

If you have pets, you might want to either board them for a couple of days or have someone take care of them for you while you move. It's best to plan on getting them out of the house the night before, as you'll be very busy on moving day.

Directions

Make sure that you have printed directions to the new house for the movers. Include your cell phone number(s) along with the address on this printout. Remember to print one for yourself as well. Even if you have a GPS, printed directions can help.


Step 4 - Moving Day - Movers and Truck

 - Get up early. By now, all your boxes are ready to go.

 - Take care of any babysitting drop offs.

 - Load your car trunk with the suitcases you've packed with essentials.

 - Leave room in the trunk for the cooler in an easily accessible space.

 - Load the cooler and place it in the trunk.
 
 - Make sure you have everyone's travel bags/backpacks.

 - Make sure you have car keys and a spare set.

 - Make sure you have the new house keys and a spare set.

 - When movers arrive, give them the printed directions as well as
   a copy of the "Color Coded" sheet, so they know how each room's
   boxes are coded and where they'll go on arrival. These should go
   immediately onto the front seat of the truck, or on the driver's
   clipboard.

 - If there are any items in the house that are NOT going on the
   moving truck, have them clearly labeled and set aside in one area.

 - If your move is to a new home close by and you have two cars, 
   you may want to have one adult go to the new home when the movers
   are about half done. Take the following:
      - The cooler, spray cleaner, paper towels, and hand soap
      - A chair, light bulbs, rolls of toilet paper
      - A step ladder
      - Enough bottled water for the movers and you

   You can unload the cooler and bottled water into the fridge, make sure
   there are working light bulbs in the fixtures, and toilet paper in the
   bathrooms.

 - The adult overseeing the rest of the move will need to do a complete
    walk-through of the house to make sure all items are on the truck, close
    and lock all doors and windows.

    If the move is a short distance, you can either pick up your children now
    or wait until the movers have gotten everything into the house.

 

Step 5 - Moving Day - New Home

At the new home, put up sheets of paper with the color stickers near the entrance to the home where the movers can see them.

On the doorway to each room, Scotch tape the appropriately colored sticker (with number written on it for multiple rooms such as bedrooms) according to the plan you created. The movers can then match the stickers on each box to those on the room entrance so all the boxes are put where they belong.

The "Unpack This First" boxes will allow you to find the essentials for each bedroom and bath. Along with the first night and day's worth of clothing packed in the suitcases, you can easily get ready for a good night's sleep.

While you may need to get some food and milk, your kitchen essentials will also be ready to hand. The flyers or printouts for local restaurants will come in handy for your first meal or two in the new house while you're unpacking. With the comforts of these essentials, you'll be able to unpack the boxes and set up your new home over the next couple of days.

Welcome Home! 

 

These moving tips are just some of the techniques used by Transition Stage to help ensure that you have a smooth move. If you'd like help - from creating your plan to managing your move - contact us at 203-889-8556. We're happy to advise and help you every step of the way.

 

Photo Credit: Welcome Mat 

Smooth Moves - Right Into Your New Home

 

Thanks so much for visiting!
Judy Klem

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