The Best Everything You Need to Know Relocation List

The possibility of a brand-new home is interesting. Packing up and moving your things-- not so much.

We asked Sarah Roussos-Karakaian, whose New York business We OrgaNYze specializes in packing and unloading for residential relocations, to help us develop the best trouble-free relocation.

" The most significant error people make when they pack, "she says," is not being specific enough."

Taking some time on the front end to arrange will guarantee a much better unloading and moving experience. Here's a week-by-week schedule to help you manage your move:

8 WEEKS AHEAD
Keep whatever associated to your relocation in one location: packaging lists, price quotes, invoices, home loan documentation, etc
. Go room by room approximating the cubic footage of your things to identify how numerous boxes you'll need.
Purge what you can. Everything you take will cost money to move, so do not haul the exact same unused stuff from attic to attic; be ruthless and eliminate it. Offer it on eBay or Krrb, or donate it, and take a tax deduction.
Order brand-new devices. If your new home does not included a refrigerator or stove, or requires an upgrade, order now, so the home appliances are delivered prior to you relocate.

6 WEEKS AHEAD
Research moving business. Get in-person, written price quotes, and examine referrals with the Bbb.
Moving vulnerable or expensive products like art, antiques, or a grand piano? Find movers who specialize.
Evaluation your mover's insurance. Make sure the liability insurance your prospective movers bring will cover the replacement value of anything they might harm.
Call utility companies. Set up to have energies shut off at your old house and switched on at your brand-new place. Learn dates for trash and recyclable pickup, along with any restrictions about having packing debris got.
Make travel plans. Moving long distance or shipping a car? Make travel and automobile transportation plans now. Family pets? Schedule kennel time or ask a friend to keep your 4-legged buddies out of the moving mayhem.
Some movers supply boxes. Get more boxes than you think you'll need, especially easy-to-lift little ones. Don't forget packaging tape, colored tape and markers for coding boxes, bubble wrap for prints and mirrors, and packing peanuts.
4 WEEKS AHEAD
Start packing seldom-used products. Box out-of-season clothes and vacation accessories before carrying on to more often utilized products.
As you load, mark and number each box (e.g., "Kitchen area 12") on its 4 vertical sides (the top is concealed when boxes are stacked) with the appropriate tape color. As you seal each box, list its contents in your spreadsheet, so you AND the movers will understand what's in each and where it goes.
Get specialized boxes for Televisions and wardrobes. Pull garbage bags over hanging clothing in clumps and tie the bags' strings around the bunched hangers to keep contents tidy and simple to deal with.
Keep hardware together. Put screws and other hardware from anything you dismantle-- sconces, TELEVISION wall installs, shelves, etc.-- in sealed plastic bags taped to the items themselves. Just beware not to attach the bags onto a surface area that might be harmed by the tape's adhesive.
Change your address. Fill out USPS forms to have your mail forwarded to your new address. Give your new address to member of the family, your banks and credit card newspapers, magazines and companies, the Department of Motor Vehicles and your employer. There's an extensive list of companies and organisations you may wish to inform at Apartmentguide.com.
2 WEEKS AHEAD
End up loading the house. Label the boxes you load last which contain your most-used items-- laptop computers, phones, everyday dishes, push-button controls, etc.-- with 3 strips of colored tape. Inform movers to keep these boxes easily available in the brand-new place.
Confirm your dates. Call utility business to ensure your services are set up to be connected the proper day, and double-check the relocation time with the movers. If you've organized to have your old house cleaned, it's wise to check that task, too.
Defrost your refrigerator and drain gas-powered devices. Unplug the refrigerator to offer it time to drain pipes and thaw. Drain gas and oil from mowers and similar devices, and dispose of the fluids correctly.
Produce a "Opening Night Package." Load a box or overnight bag for each family member with a change of medications, clothing and toiletries, plus website favorite toys for kids and pets. Include cleaning supplies, toilet tissue, snacks, an utility knife (for unpacking) and an emergency treatment kit.
Pack your valuables. Carry jewelry, medications, easily-damaged items and other valuables with you.
Get money to tip the movers and purchase pizza for the family. Pick up the secrets to your brand-new home.
Moving Day
Arrive ahead of the moving truck. Offer yourself a lot of time to determine furniture plan and where things go.
Direct the operation. Discuss your system to the moving firm's supervisor, and provide him a copy of the spreadsheet before his group starts working.
Take care of your movers. Moving is difficult work, so strategy to provide water and lunch for the movers. When it comes to tipping: For a half-day job, $10 per mover is the guideline; for a full-day, $20 each.
Provide your old home a tidy sweep. If you're a property owner, you'll most likely have to do this prior to the closing. If you rent and have a security deposit, take photos after you're done-- in case of conflicts.
Unload the bedrooms. Organize the furnishings first to ensure there's a clear course to the bed. Make the beds NOW, so at the end of the day, everyone can simply topple in-- exhausted.
First Week After The Move
Get the pets. Ensure you have their water, food and litter boxes.
Modification all exterior locks. Get a new set of keys to the home and make copies for all member of the family and a few extras.
Unpack the kitchen area. Discover those final-items "3 stripes" boxes and unpack.
Praise yourselves. Sure, there's still plenty to do and you most likely will not get as far as you 'd like in the first week. Says Roussos-Karakaian: "If you're hanging art in the first 7 days, you're a rock star."