A move can trigger a variety of emotions. From the giddy joy of packing up your things, selling your house and shipping just about everything to your new home.
You’ve got a lot on your plate: setting up utilities, changing the addresses you receive mail at and determining if you should hire movers. Sometimes, there are a bunch of smaller chores and to-dos that you’ll miss. We refer to them as “overlooked move essentials.”
Often the little-trivia essentials for moving that go unnoticed are those on which a major part of your move’s success might rest. Here are five moving essentials that you’ve probably overlooked!
Key Takeaways
- A detailed moving checklist keeps your move organized, reduces stress, and helps prevent last-minute surprises.
- Keeping a basic toolkit accessible allows you to handle quick fixes, furniture assembly, and small adjustments on moving day.
- Separating chargers and batteries ensures your devices stay powered and easy to find during the transition.
- Plastic bags are simple but versatile tools for carrying essentials like snacks, keys, paperwork, and small items.
- Buying cleaning supplies ahead of time lets you clean immediately and feel settled in your new home faster.
Create a Moving Checklist
An effective moving checklist will keep you organized and on top of things as well as prepared for a move. You can see your progress in the buildup to moving day. The checklist will keep you on track and it will also remind you of what remains to be done.
What to Include in a Moving Checklist
A checklist for moving should be more than a rote to-do list. It’s handy when broken down into specific periods, 30 days before moving, two weeks before, one week before and the day you move. This makes overwhelmingly big tasks feel manageable and also stops us from letting critical steps fall by the wayside.
Your to-do list might have items such as reserving movers, setting up utilities at your new place, changing your address, going through rooms in your home one by one and making lists of what needs to be packed and preparing essentials for moving day. For many people, digital checklists are useful because they can be updated in real time and shared with family members. Continue back Refer task to one person as history and avoid confusion or duplicated work.
Keep a Toolkit on Hand
When relocating to a new home, there’s almost always some touch-ups or small projects you’ll need to work on as soon as you move in. And that is why you should have a toolkit at the ready.
The toolkit is a lifesaver in every home. Certainly better to have it than not!
Why a Toolkit Saves Time on Moving Day
A tool kit should always be off limits to moving boxes and packed in your own car. This helps to ensure it remains accessible once your outbound movers arrive, and once you reach your new home. It’s not uncommon for furniture to need quick fixes like tightening screws, re-attaching legs or taking doors off their hinges so larger items can fit in.
With tools on hand there is no need to run out to the local home improvement store for last minute purchases or borrow tools from your friends. A small toolkit can help you not to lose time and calm down in a high pace day.
Separate Batteries and Chargers in a Bag
Our lives revolve around technology. And then keeping everything charged is a pretty big part of this. You’ll want to keep your chargers and batteries separated from the rest of your things so you can get to them quickly.
How to Organize Chargers for Easy Access
Keep everything organized in one clearly-labeled bag: chargers, batteries, power banks. Pack it into a zippered pouch or small backpack so it’s storable and cords won’t become tangled. Having this bag by your side means that your phone is charged for contacting the movers, the landlord or utility companies.
On most moving days, phone batteries are running down faster than they typically do with the need for regular calls, navigation and photo documentation. If outlets aren’t readily available, a charged up power bank can be game changer.
Prepare Plastic Bags
It’s a small detail, but remember to save some plastic bags when you’re packing up for moving day! This is also an awesome way to lug anything around quickly, snacks and drinks; wallets or keys.
Unexpected Ways Plastic Bags Make Moving Easier
Plastic bags are particularly handy for screws, bolts and small fittings taken out from the furniture while dismantling it. Labeling each bag ensures you don’t mix up your stuff when it comes time to restock in your new living space. Clear bags also make it easy to see what’s inside without opening the bag.
They can also aid in keeping toiletries, cleaning cloths, snacks and paperwork together. Storing basics within easy reach makes your life easier when everything is still packed in boxes.
Purchase Cleaning Supplies Before Moving Day
Make sure to purchase your cleaning agents pre-move-in. To aid you in feeling at home, clean your new place up. A good scrub can really make it feel like home.
Why Cleaning First Helps You Settle Faster
Cleaning your new abode before you begin to unpack sets the stage for a fresh start. Empty homes can be dusty, have construction debris and lingering smells and they may not show like it. Taking care of the hot spots in the bathroom, kitchen and other high‐traffic areas will help create a homey environment for your guests right off the bat.
It will save you a step when unpacking to rest easy on that first night. You also won’t have to stop the process and shop for supplies, nor will you need to clean around stacked boxes.
Common Moving-Day Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s one way people frequently go wrong: They pack things they’ll need in the short term into moving boxes that they’re pushing off unpacking. One is failing to charge phones and power banks overnight. Some movers also fail to consider how swiftly they will become hungry and exhausted on a long moving day.
Do not put cleaners, hand tools or papers in the moving truck. By carrying these, you can avoid the wait as well as any headaches.
Getting ready on moving day need not feel completely overwhelming. And with just the right wardrobe essentials and a bit of preplanning, you can stay organized and on-task from beginning to end. Professional movers can also assist in coordinating logistics, safeguarding your property and keeping everyone on time.
Check VIP Moving to find out more about moving day prep and how our pro moving crews can help you make your move a breeze, quick, and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are moving checklists so important for a successful move?
A checklist for moving can provide a guide for tasks to complete as you pack, transfer utilities, update your address and hire movers. It cuts down on stress, eliminates last-minute surprises and makes sure nothing crucial is forgotten on moving day.
2. What should I keep in a moving-day toolkit?
When it comes to hand tools, the three main items everyone should have are screwdriver set, hammer and tape measure; some additional useful things for your basic toolkit could be box cutter, wrench and Allen keys. These tools come in handy for furniture assembly, tightening loose items and quick fixes around your new home as well as old.
3. Why should chargers and batteries be packed separately?
Storing chargers and batteries in one marked bag keeps phones, tablets and tools energized. It eliminates frantic searching, and keeps you reachable for moving companies, landlords and utility providers on the big day.
4. How can plastic bags actually help during a move?
With clutter in your kitchen, home or shop? These bags are perfect for storing manuals, snacks, documents or just about anything else that gets cluttered. It allows you to keep essentials visible, handy and secure with the convenient slip pockets when everything is packed away.
5. Should I really buy cleaning supplies before moving day?
Purchasing cleaning supplies before you leave gives you the option of cleaning as soon as you arrive. A rapid deep clean wipes away dust, germs and odors to leave your new space feeling comfortable and move-in ready.