It’s your first move! This can be an exciting, yet stressful time. We can help, though. Over the years, we’ve developed some tried-and-true tips for maneuvering any move. Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. Hire professional movers
This is a big milestone, yet you want to save money. We get that. But please, please don’t solicit help from your friends and family to move you, unless you really only own two boxes of clothes, a laptop, a lamp, and a turtle in a tank. We know this from experience. If something goes wrong, you’ve ruined a relationship. Have a good moving company do it. Then, ask your friends over to have a celebratory/goodbye drink with you before the moving truck arrives, or after it leaves.
2. Declutter, and get organized
Moving is a great time to pare down to the essentials. The more you have to move, the more work you have to do. So, take this as an opportunity to decide what to keep and what to toss. Do you really need that sweater your aunt gave you three years ago, that you’ve worn twice – on trips to see her? Use this rule of thumb: If you didn’t use it for a year, you won’t need it again. Label your boxes, so that you know what goes where. And keep important things – IDs, pets, work papers, toiletries, tools you’ll need for your move – with you. You may also want to keep a few extra changes of clothing close by.
3. Don’t let the paperwork slide, and document everything
Change your address. Have your utilities turned off at the old place (if needed) and turned on in the new. Get insurance. Change your address with the post office. Make sure you know what’s in your rental contract, since that tells you which utilities you’re responsible for, and how much of a deposit you need to pay. If you’re not moving into your own home, take pictures of the space before you move in. That way, if there are any questions about what damage happened while you lived there, you have a record.
4. Google it
If you have questions about how to pack something, you can find plenty of resources online. Heck, we at Elite Moving & Storage have a whole page devoted to videos about packing your things properly. For the safety of your things, if you’re not sure how to pack properly, don’t just wing it. You won’t regret taking the time to do the research, working with little extra care when you pack, and using the proper padding. Learn how to pack your kitchen and other items here.
5. Make a budget – and stick to it
Make sure you have accounted, in your financial calculations, for rent, mortgage, furniture, decor, utilities, and other expenses that you may now have. Make a budget beforehand, and create a guide for living that takes your income and lifestyle into account. Remember, there’s a difference between need and want. If you’re on a budget – get only what you need, and then prioritize your wants. Don’t forget to set aside money for emergencies.
Contact us…
Planning a move to Chicagoland, away from Chicagoland, or within Chicagoland? Consider Elite Moving & Storage. We’re proud to one of the best Chicago moving companies, with great ratings, solid testimonials, and a commitment to quality. Go to the “Request A Quote” block at the top of the page to request an estimate and find out how we can help you with the moving process.
