12 Tips for a Perfect Move

Moving is infamously stressful, and doubly stressful if you are a bit of a perfectionist. The good news is even perfectionists can sail through the moving process, if they follow this checklist for a perfect move:

1. Create a perfect moving budget

   Constructing a comprehensive and realistic moving budget is key. Your moving budget must include the following:

   • Moving company charges: depending on the services you require and your inventory
   • Additional insurance: depending on the value of your inventory, additional insurance may be advisable. However, this may be covered by your existing renter’s or homeowner’s insurance
   • Extra Services: These may include charges for special items like a piano or a pool table, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, etc
   • Extra charges: These may include expedited service charge, flight charge, long-haul charges, long carry charges and shuttle service
   • Just-In-Case costs: a 5% contingency rate based on the total moving company fees, just in case.

   But don’t forget- creating the budget will not suffice. You’ve got stick to it too!

2. Make a perfect plan

   Take a look at the calendar- how much time do you have? Divide your tasks into short lists- monthly, weekly and daily. Planning in advance allows you to prepare for the stressful days leading up to moving day and getting certain tasks out of the way ahead of time. If you’re relying on help from friends and family (for packing, babysitting, cleaning etc.) it’s best to let them know as soon as possible so they can make sure they’re available when you need them.

3. Find the perfect moving company

   Who said finding a perfect moving company is hard? Unpakt movers are all reliable, licensed movers who will provide you with guaranteed quotes on the spot. You can also read reviews, compare prices and book your move online quickly and easily, so it won’t be long before you can check this item off your list.

4. Create the perfect inventory

   A perfect move means moving only what you need and want to move. Your current home is probably stuffed with items you won’t necessarily use in your new home and maybe haven’t been used at all in a while. This is why a good purge is a perfect place to start. Sort through your belongings and decide what you’ll be taking with you. The rest of the stuff you can sell, donate or throw away.

5. Find the perfect storage facility

   Some of the items you decided to keep might not fit into your new home. This is why God invented self- storage! To find the perfect storage facility you will need to consider the following:

   • Unit size: smaller is usually cheaper, but not always better
   • Climate Control: how sensitive is your inventory to heat and humidity?
   • Security: do you have adequate insurance?

   And if you wish to avoid some common self-storage mistakes, visit this blog post.

6. Pack perfectly

   There are many packing tips and hacks- from folding clothes without removing from their hangers to wrapping drawers in plastic to move with their contents intact. But the best packing tip would have to be this one: use only the best packing materials. High-quality cardboard boxes, heavy duty tape, padding blankets and bubble-wrap are your new best friends. Don’t settle for used boxes you got at the grocery store- they might not be sturdy enough.

7. Perfectly organize your documentation

   Get a brightly colored binder (the kind you can’t misplace easily) and use it to keep all the documents pertaining to your move. These include receipts, estimates, forms, and agreements.

8. Give your new home a perfect cleaning (and your old one, too!)

   Take the time to thoroughly clean out your new home before the movers arrive with your belongings, room by room:

   • Bathroom and toilet- bleach ‘em!
   • Kitchen- bleach the sink and rub down tiles. Clean surfaces with an anti-bacterial detergent and spray the stove top with grease remover
   • Rooms- vacuum and clean windows

   Your new home might be perfect now but your job isn’t done just yet- give your old home a good cleaning to make sure you get your security deposit back. For a full cleaning checklist, check out this blog post.

9. Bring the perfect snacks for moving day

   On the day of the move, you will probably be hungry, busy and a little stressed. Make sure you have some fruits and nuts available for a quick and healthy energy boost, as well as lots of cold water. It’s going to be a long day, so you might want to treat yourself to your favorite candy bar too. And make sure you have some lemonade and coffee to offer your movers- they’re the ones who’ll be doing the heavy lifting.

10. Find the perfect arrangement for your kids

    If you’re moving with kids, you need to plan their day as well as your own. Older kids can help on moving day with cleaning and entertaining younger ones, but if you have toddlers and/or babies consider getting help from a grandparent or babysitter. Get some magnetic games and stickers to pass the time if you have a long drive ahead of you, and create a feel-good playlist to listen to on the road.

11. Pack the perfect overnight bag

    Your overnight bag should include whatever you might need between moving out of your old home and moving into your new one. Don’t forget the following:

    • Toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and soap
    • Coffeemaker, coffee, sugar, creamer and a cup per person (unless you’re more of a tea person- in which case, adjust accordingly)
    • Phones and chargers
    • 2 changes of clothes per person
    • Towels and bathrobes
    • Linens

12. Create a floor plan for your new home

    Unpacking and settling in is the most fulfilling part of moving. Make this process perfect by deciding where your furniture and belongings will be placed in advance. Taking pictures and measurements of your new home and using them to create a floor plan will make it easier to get settled.

We hope you found this checklist perfectly helpful. Have a great move!