Planning Will Ease Moving Hassle
Moving is work, no question about it. But some planning can reduce the hassle, say moving experts.
The moving process starts with preparing your home for sale. That’s because staging your home for prospective buyers involves the same first step as moving, namely getting rid of the junk. Clean out closets. Go through that seldom used spare bedroom, and the basement and attic if you have one. Decide what you'll take and what you will toss, donate or sell. Hold a garage sale.
Evaluating your stuff should be done at least two months before you move.
Step two, probably, is deciding whether you will hire a moving company or whether you and your friends will make the move. With this decision complete, research begins, either of the moving company or of truck and equipment rental companies.
Friends, family and colleagues can tell you about moving companies. So can the American Moving and Storage Association at www.moving.org. Get more than one estimate. Once you decide on a mover, read the company’s insurance policy carefully.
With the clean out complete, packing starts. The moving industry estimates that the stuff in a two-bedroom home will fill at least 12 small boxes, 15 medium boxes, 8 large boxes, 8 extra large boxes, 4 wardrobe boxes and an assortment of specialty boxes for artwork, sports equipment and mirrors.
As the move gets closer, start getting the word out. Most bill payment envelopes have a place to indicate a new address. For your mail, complete the post office change of address form online at www.usps.com/moversguide.
