Relocating home requires attention to detail during one of the busiest times of your life. Staying organized eliminates oversights and provides essential peace of mind during a transition. Discover why measurements matter and more necessary details to remember as you learn how to relocate efficiently.

Measurements Matter

Measurements significantly differ from selling to renting and buying a new place. Consider hiring a professional to inspect both premises and take official measures. Use these figures to determine whether to move your current furniture or purchase items that fit better in the new house.

Set Up Digital and Paper Moving Files

Moving requires endless paperwork to prove current and future residences, financial status, identification, and more. Set up a digital moving file on a site such as Google Docs, accessible on a smartphone or other Internet-connected device. In addition, have a physical moving file maintained in a safe place in case you’re in transit and can’t get online.

The Urge to Purge

Establish a moving date, then plan to use all consumables in the meantime. For example, eating down the food in the freezer helps save money and reduce moving costs or losses. Also, use half-filled toiletries, so you don’t have to pack them. Finally, clean up and clear out any clutter in your path. If it gets in the way or has been unused for over a year, get rid of it, so you don’t pay to move it.

Get Time Off to Move

Some people relocate for employment, while others make transitions for other reasons. Remember to get time off to move, so you continue to get paid while packing and relocating home. Packing and moving may take more time than expected, so prepare to take at least one week away from work.

Prepare to Pack

Even if you hire professional movers, there are items you want to pack personally. Visit the local liquor store for boxes and purchase a large roll of heavy-duty garbage bags for sorting and packing essentials. Also, get labels and color-coded labels to designate rooms where the items will land.

Focus on Fragile and Valuable

Before hiring help, focus on finding all fragile and valuable items to separate them from everything else. These things might be stored in a safety deposit box or locked cabinet until moving, including:

• China, glassware, and silverware
• Professional licenses, marriage and birth certificates, and other essential documents
• Jewelry and furs
• Coins and collectibles
• Artwork

Think About Logistics

Next, consider the logistics involved in moving from one location to another. Include how to relocate vehicles, furniture, and outdoor equipment. Consider moving certain heavy items ahead of time, so you can focus on collecting the more minor things on your way out of the old house.

Who is Your Crew?

It takes a skilled team to relocate successfully, especially when moving out of state. Include your professional crew in the budget to ensure a smooth transition, with experts such as:

• Real estate agent
• Mortgage broker
• Insurance agent
• Attorney
• Accountant or financial consultant
• Moving team – whether professionals or friends, schedule ahead of time
• Inspector
• Handyman
• Cleaning crew
• Pest control company
• Babysitting services to take care of little ones during packing and moving

Backup and Charge Up

The confusion of moving can lead to more significant challenges, such as a crashed hard drive during the transition. Remember to backup your computer and charge all mobile devices, so you’re always ready to access essential information online.

Plan for a New Life

Leaving your old life behind and planning for a new one requires hours of preparation. Make a to-do list to ensure you cover all bases, such as:

• Applying for new professional licenses and insurance
• Establishing an office and staff in the new location
• Transferring medical records and prescriptions to new providers
• Registering children for school
• Applying for a dog license, if the state requires one
• Registering for the new library, community centers, gym, and houses of worship
• Applying for a driver’s license, insurance, and other personal necessities in the new place
• Determining the location of critical sites in the new area, such as hospitals and shopping

Pack a Moving Bag and Cooler

Moving day is often hectic, and you should be ready to transition to your new home. Pack a moving bag with necessities such as a change of clothes, toiletries, eyeglasses or contact lenses, and food – including goodies for your furry family members! Also, put together a cooler with plenty of cold beverages and fruit to keep everyone hydrated and energized.

Have Cash On Hand

From tipping the moving men to ordering pizza at your new house, it helps to have plenty of cash on hand when relocating home. Plus, moving often costs more than expected, as little details arise along the journey. So keep some money and a major credit card handy to cover unanticipated costs.

Plan for a New Life

Take a few moments to plan for your new life and bid farewell to the old one—schedule moments to take photos of the old house and say goodbye to the neighbors. Also, tour local hot spots in your new neighborhood and greet your neighbors. Treasuring your old memories and creating new ones makes the transition easier.

Just Breathe

Finally, the frenetic pace of moving can take its toll on your overall well-being. Keep the stress to a minimum by taking time to just breathe for an hour each day. Meditation, stretching, reading, or simply laughing at your favorite comedy helps take you away from the fast pace to rejuvenate yourself.

Relocating home is both exciting and overwhelming. Knowing how to relocate eliminates the stress and ensures a seamless transition to your new home. From taking measurements to making time to unwind, every step matters to start an incredible new life!