Does the very idea of moving your family turn your hair gray or make you want to grab a drink? Anyone who has ever done a move with young children and pets knows exactly how challenging it can all be. You’ve got your old home which is filled with memories and more stuff than you’d realized you’d bought and somehow, you must get it all into a moving truck and into your new place. All while managing your children, their emotions, and your pets.
It kind of makes you want to reconsider moving altogether. Yet, you know that your new place will bring a fresh start for your loved ones. If you’re going to get through this move successfully, you’re going to need to come up with a master plan complete with checklists to keep you on track. Your plan must be well thought out ahead of time and should save you time and money while also relieving some stress. Here are some ideas:
- Hire a Moving Company in Advance
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to wait until the last minute to hire a moving company. Sure, there are a lot of moving companies to choose from, but if you want to get local or long-distance movers at an affordable price on your scheduled moving date, then you should inquire ahead of time. Waiting until the last-minute limits your options and increases the costs.
- Think Twice Before Packing It
Moving companies charge for moves one of two ways; by the number of items you have (truckload) or by the amount of time it will take to move your belongings. If you want to save money on a family move, your best bet is to purge as much as you can. As you’re going through your belongings to pack, put anything that you don’t need or want in a pile to be donated or sold for extra cash. The fewer items you have to pack, the smaller truck you need – not to mention it will take the movers less time to complete the move.
- Find Free Moving Supplies
Before you pay for moving boxes, bubble wrap, and other supplies you should consider free options. For instance, you can take empty printer boxes from work to use instead of buying moving boxes or use sheets and towels instead of bubble wrap to protect your fragile devices.
- Ask for Help
Instead of hiring movers to help you pack at an additional cost ask your friends and family members to help you out. Chances are you’ll feel a lot more comfortable with your family members going through your things to pack them than movers whom you’ve never met. There’s also the added fact that you won’t have to pay them an hourly rate.
- Label and Place Everything in One Room
The best way for the movers to load the truck quickly is to be organized. By clearly labeling every box and placing them in one location, you make it easier for the movers to load the truck and unload once they arrive at your new home. You also make it a lot easier for yourself to find things if it’s all labeled and in the correct room.
- Hire a Sitter on Moving Day
If you have younger children and pets, they’re only going to be in the way as you’re trying to move. Instead of screaming at the top of your lungs or panicking because you can’t seem to find your toddler who’s wondered off, it’s a good idea to hire a sitter or ask a family member to watch them. This gets them out of the way and allows you to focus on moving without any distractions.
You’ve gone through a ton of properties to find your dream home. Now, all that’s left is to pack your things and relocate your family. While family moves can be very stressful and expensive, there are ways to minimize the stress and save money in the process. Rather than waste a lot of money and stress yourself out, keep each of the above tips in mind for a smoother, hassle-free moving experience.
