If someone was to make up a list of top n stressful events, moving house would very likely land at the top of it. The undertaking involves so many aspects, all rife with tiny yet dangerous details, that it’s nearly impossible to keep calm. The questions swarm in your head:
- How do I make sure I didn’t forget anything?
- What can I entrust to the moving labor, and what should I control on my own?
- What are the steps to take, and how do I check if I’m missing something?
One possible solution to this is making up a personal moving checklist. Some people will tell you it’s busywork, but others know you can’t overestimate the relief and satisfaction you feel as you cross items out. Let’s explore moving checklists and how they might help you.
Plan in Advance
The universal advice for any moving session is to plan it as far in advance as possible. Writing a checklist can actually be the very first step to take, meaning it will also cover the planning phase.
Here are the first items to include on the list:
- Make up an inventory of everything you have. This works best when you divide your belongings into categories. You’ll be using this list a lot as you move.
- Decide what you’ll do with each item and sell/donate/throw away anything that you don’t want in your new home. Don’t forget to cross these out.
- Find a reliable moving company. Gather recommendations and find a provider that offers professional labor and enough flexibility to meet your needs. This way, you can be sure you won’t lose much-prized possessions to others’ negligence or your own lack of moving skill.
- Collect boxes, tape, wrappers, and other moving supplies you’ll need. Consulting the moving company you’ve chosen might be a good idea.
- Make up a list of the furniture you’ll need help disassembling. Companies such as Seka Moving can give you a helping help with this.
- Find storage facilities for anything you might need to store outside your property and make the appropriate arrangements.
Delegate, but Leave Helpful Instructions
Now that the preliminary arrangements are made, it’s essential to have everything under control when Day X arrives. That’s where an inventory checklist may come in handy. Whether you are packing your belongings on your own or employing professionals, it’s good to have clear instructions.
Don’t rely on your memory: it’s more likely than not to start failing you after a few hours of packing. Your contractors will appreciate a list of the items they need to transfer, too.
(Almost) No-Stress Moving: It’s Possible!
Keeping things under control is not easy when it comes to moving house, but it’s an attainable goal, provided that you have a moving checklist. Be sure to agree one with the moving professionals you’re hiring to make sure it’s beneficial to both parties.
Have you ever forgotten or lost anything while moving? Let’s share out stories in the comments.
