5 Tips to Get Organized Before a Big Move

Moving is a once-every-few-years opportunity to start fresh and declutter. But with such a long list to keep track of, how do you stay organized before a big move?

Today we’ll break down 5 tips to help you get organized before you move, so when you get settled in, all that’s left to do is unpack and enjoy your new home.

Down below is everything you need to know to get organized before your big move.

Declutter and Sort Your Belongings

If you decide not to declutter before you move, then you’re going to have to do it anyway upon arrival. It may seem a bit redundant to sort everything before the move and then after the move as well, however with the proper flow, you’re going to make it much easier for whoever is going to have to unpack.

Decide what you want to keep, throw away anything that’s going to be unused, and donate any old clothes, furniture, or appliances that are still in usable condition. Sort everything so you can keep everything together.

Keep everything that’s going to the same room together so it’s easier to unpack on the day of the move. You’ll want to keep together everything that’s going in the same area as well in each room, so be sure to package each section of the room separately so you can easily put back everything where it belongs without having to sort it again when you arrive.

Create a Moving Timeline and Checklist

Your best friend during a move is a checklist. If you plan far in advance, you can get a discount from a moving service like Three Movers. Hiring movers is going to be at the top of the list if you are going to hire, as you’ll want to vet and double, triple-check that the company you’re hiring is legitimate and won’t bait and switch you on arrival.

Ensure that you stick to your timeline, and put the bigger tasks at the top, and work your way down to the easiest tasks. This way you aren’t procrastinating and putting off the hardest tasks which you may not want to finish towards the end.

Start Packing Early and Strategically

Packing early is going to give you a head start on the hardest task. Packing will take more time than you think, so do not wait until the last minute to get it done. With a head start, you won’t be panicking when unforeseen obstacles occur.

The best way to pack is with a plan and in an organized fashion. Label everything properly, and ensure each room is being packed separately, and then each section of the room as well. If you’re hiring movers, you can wait until the last minute, but if for some reason the movers don’t show up, you need to plan for when things may not go as planned.

Organize Important Documents and Valuables

Your valuables and important documents should not be transported by movers. For one, these documents may be invaluable, and insurance won’t be able to value them. The other problem is often movers rely on insurance that only covers the basics, and when it comes time to recoup bigger losses, you may be out of luck.

If necessary, you can mail yourself the valuables and take out insurance from the post office. This way, you know that your belongings will be reimbursed properly as the insurance is guaranteed to pay out if the package is lost or stolen. The same goes for the documents.

Label and Inventory Your Boxes

Having a checklist as well as an inventory of your boxes is going to go a long way. If you’re going to hire movers, then you’ll want to ensure that all of your belongings arrive. Once the movers leave, then you’re going to have little recourse if any boxes are missing that you didn’t notice during the move.

It’s good practice to inventory what is inside the boxes so if you want to make an insurance claim, you have evidence that you have lost some items during transit. With great labeling and an inventory list, you’ll be able to identify right away if anything is missing and take action on it.

Final Thoughts

Being organized throughout your big move is going to save you a headache down the line. One of the best tasks you can undertake during a move is to be prepared. Having a plan months before the move is going to make it that much easier.

Plan to hire the right movers, and make a checklist so you know exactly what to do at the right time. Be aware of movers who may try to quote you a low price and then bill you 25-50% higher on arrival. Take the time to look for the right company, and you’ll be glad you did when your big move doesn’t have any big hiccups.