There’s nothing quite like moving out of your old home and into a new one. Turning over a new leaf and beginning the next chapter of your life is quite exciting, and it can also be hectic at the same time. You may find yourself overwhelmed with a hundred things that you have to do, and if you don’t stop and plan things out, it can be stressful. The most taxing part of this step is the process of moving out itself, especially if you have a busy schedule. This guide will help you plan, prepare, and pack in a way that will make things much smoother for you.
Planning
Set a timetable
You need to set a timetable before anything to ensure that the moving out process will be properly organized. The sooner you set that timetable, the earlier you can get started and not feel overwhelmed. Plan out the entire phase and make sure you give yourself a deadline for each and every step. Contrary to what you might be thinking, this is not overdoing it, and you’ll understand that a lot more as the moving day approaches.
Create a budget
Moving out can be pricey. There are a lot of incurring expenses, and if you’re not careful, you can end up paying a lot more money than you really need to. After you set a timetable with each phase of your move, you need to create a budget for those phases. A simple monthly budget template can be a tremendous help. Try to be as detailed as possible, because it can save you money in the long run. For example, set a budget for your packing process, including the boxes, duct tape, and any other tools you’ll need to pack your things. Be sure to get aside a budget for a removal company, that way you aren’t surprised by any additional costs along the way.
Prepare
Repairs
You’ll have to make sure the property is intact before you hand it over, just like you received it. That means making repairs and ensuring that you fix any damage that you might have caused during your tenancy. We’re talking everything from holes in walls to dents and scratches in doors. That way when you do move out, the owner will be more likely to give you back your security deposit in full.
Cleaning
Cleaning the place before you move out is always a good idea and can prevent being charged your security deposit by some landlords known to do this. Even if it’s not mentioned in the lease that you should, and even if the landlord won’t charge you for not doing so, it’s common courtesy to leave the place clean. You may need someone to deep clean the house at the end of your tenancy. This is why it’s best if you deal with professionals so you don’t miss anything. The best case scenario is the landlord would blacklist you, and the worst is they’d not return your security deposit.
Pay the bills
You also need to make sure that all your bills are paid before you finally make the move. Leaving unpaid utility bills is another reason the landlord may keep your deposit. Be sure to disconnect all subscription services you have so you don’t end up paying for them long after you leave.
Inform all relevant parties of your new address
Make a list of all the people and companies who will need to know your new mailing address. Your subscription services need to be alerted, your bank, place of employment, and so on.
Pack
Inventory and decluttering
Packing is a lot more complicated than it sounds, and there’s a lot more to it than just putting things in boxes. You need to start by creating an inventory of all your belongings, the ones you’re going to be taking with you anyway. Get rid of anything you don’t need –– you can bet you’ll find a lot of useless junk in the clutter around your place. This decluttering process is crucial because it allows you to have a clear idea on what you have in place, as well as what you need moved by professionals, since you’ll be able to move some of your smaller things yourself.
Pack
You can definitely try to pack your belongings on your own, but there comes a point you may have to get extra help. As mentioned earlier, it’s not just about putting things into boxes. There are certain precautions that you need to take while boxing certain items, or else they might get damaged in the move. This is why it’s best to find a removal company that also does packing. It might cost a bit more, but you’ll be making sure your belongings are safe and neatly packed with the same people who’ll transport them. Try to do a little digging on the removal companies until you find the best option for you in terms of price and quality.
There are definitely more entertaining things you could be doing with your time other than preparing for the move, but a little planning will make the entire process much easier for you and your family. If you do a little careful consideration before anything, you will end up saving a lot of money and effort eventually.
