How to Prepare for Your Local Move

Moving often represents a significant change in one’s life. While local moves are somewhat easier than moving across the state or country, they must still be planned and coordinated carefully to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch on your moving day.

It can be tempting to think that if you are moving locally, there isn’t much to plan for or do, but this simply isn’t the case. Underestimating the amount of work or planning a local move requires is a common mistake. The following tips can help you adequately prepare for your move so that everything goes as smoothly as possible on the day of the actual move.

1. Plan early: It goes without saying that if you are moving locally, you will want to know at least a month beforehand so that you can let your landlord know. If you are selling a home and purchasing a new one, you may start the process much earlier. However, between four and six weeks before your intended moving date, you will want to start laying out the logistics of the move. Some of the things you can do early in the process include:

• Deciding whether to hire a moving company: Many people try to tackle local moves themselves, which is possible if you have the right vehicle and sufficient manpower. However, others prefer to hire professional movers to save them time and the hassle of moving. Professional local movers are also a great idea if you are moving heavy specialty items or have a complex move with many rooms. Once you hire the company, you can rest easy knowing your belongings will be moved appropriately, which minimizes the risk of damage. But moving companies can get booked quickly, especially during the spring, summer, and fall. It’s best to make a reservation at least several weeks before your moving date to ensure a moving crew and vehicle are available.
• Create a moving checklist: Another great way to start preparing is to make a checklist for all of the things you need to do before you move. This can include everything from scheduling power and water service in your new home to identifying what you need to move your pets. Every move is unique – including yours – so it’s worth spending some time writing down all the things you need to address leading up to and on the day of the move.

2. Get packing materials: Before moving day, you will want all of your items safely packed away in boxes. In addition to boxes and packing tape, you will want some material, such as bubble wrap or packing paper, to shield fragile items. Having suitable packing material and packing items properly is the best way to prevent damaging any items during your local move in the Bay Area.
3. Begin packing early: If you have everything packed ahead of time, you can save a ton of time on moving day since all you have to do is load everything up, get it to the new location, and unpack. Labeling the boxes also helps you sort items by room in the new location, saving you time while unpacking. You can start weeks ahead of the move by packing items you rarely use and slowly begin packing the items you use more regularly as you near the moving date.
4. Consider downsizing: Moving is the perfect time to identify things you don’t want, need, or use. Almost everyone has stuff lying around collecting dust. While you are packing up your items, you can set these items aside and opt to donate them before moving day. This process can help you feel like you are getting a fresh start at your new location, and it helps your items find new owners who can use them more frequently than you.
5. Make arrangements for pets and small children: Moving days are very hectic, and while you are loading and unloading, it’s easiest to leave the doors open, which can be a safety hazard for pets and small children who may wander off. Making arrangements for them to stay with a loved one or at a child or pet care facility is one way to reduce the stress of moving day and ensure everyone stays safe and secure.

Moving can be very stressful, but working with professional local movers is one of the best ways to make it less stressful. For more information about local moves in the Bay Area, contact Quantum Moving today!