Why You Need an Apartment Moving Checklist, and How to Get Started
You don’t want to get overwhelmed when you’ve got an apartment move on the horizon. But with so many tasks during the moving process, it’s easy for stress levels to mount. From packing to mail forwarding, you’ll be busier than you think.
That’s why it’s so helpful to have an apartment moving checklist when you’re planning to move. Read on to find out more about starting one!
Figure Out Your Moving Budget
Onen of the first considerations before making a checklist is your budget. Will you be footing the bill for a move on your own? Or will your workplace provide a stipend to defray or cover the costs?
The answer to these questions can determine how much of a budget you have for moving. If you’re on a tight budget, you can look for ways to trim costs.
You may have loyal family members or friends who can help if you pay them with pizza slices. And if you have enough time and it’s a shorter move, you can work on packing and do the driving to your new space yourself.
Stock up on old boxes to pack items. If your move is local, load up your vehicle and make smaller trips to your new place during evenings and weekends.
These smaller steps can cut down on the enormity of your move. They may also enable you to rent a smaller truck or avoid paying someone else to do the packing.
Build an Online Checklist
While you can turn to traditional spreadsheets with a pencil and paper, an online checklist may be easier when you’re planning to move. You won’t be stuck trying to read illegible handwriting, and you won’t run the risk of losing it.
Plus, if you’re enlisting the help of family and friends, they can access an online checklist to see deadlines and notes. They can also update it. This helps prevent overlap with tasks and saves time in the long run.
Building a checklist also lets you start figuring out your moving timeline. With a checklist, you’ll need to list every task or milestone for your move. Then you can rearrange these items in chronological order.
You’ll be able to assign dates for each item. Then you can assign tasks to people and get things rolling!
Make Decluttering a Priority
Before you start working with moving companies, do a thorough decluttering of your space. Moving companies will need estimates on how much you have to help you find the right truck, for instance. And you don’t want to book a bigger and more expensive truck to haul things you don’t need.
Be ruthless. Throw out or donate those items from your closet that you don’t use much anymore.
Clothing, toys, and decor are all candidates for removal, and you may even be able to sell some items. That way, you’ll be able to start fresh with less stuff at your new place.
You may not want to throw out everything, however. You may need to contact NYC storage services to secure a place where you can keep items if there’s a delay before you can move in. Just be sure that you’re confident about what you need to keep!
Look Into Moving Services
You’ll want to investigate different moving companies in your area to get price comparisons. With 40 million Americans moving each year, you’ll have competition for moving services. That’s why it’s important to nail down your needs and make a reservation.
Some companies may make you commit to pre-set packages that include packing and loading, even if you don’t need them. Other companies may let you choose only those services needed.
Get quotes from multiple companies before committing to one. And ask about insurance and cancellation policies. Look at online reviews, too, to make sure you’re hiring responsible and well-liked movers.
Start Packing and Preparing
If you’re doing the packing yourself, you’ll want to save and gather old boxes you can use. Put items you’ll need more urgently, like a coffee maker or change of clothes, into one box.
Be sure to label all boxes, too. You may even want to indicate which room they’ll go in to make the unloading process more efficient.
Avoid loading lots of large boxes with heavy items, like books. This is especially true if you’re asking loved ones to help you load your truck. You don’t want anyone sustaining injuries during your move.
If you’re renting a truck and driving your belongings, be sure to get moving supplies like furniture wraps. You may also need plastic wrap or cardboard to help keep furniture from being damaged in transit.
Contact Utilities
The moving checklist doesn’t end at packing and loading. Be sure to contact the utility companies at your current and new locations.
After all, when you show up at your new apartment, you want your internet and cable to work already. This is particularly urgent if you have a remote job.
Similarly, you don’t want to continue paying for services you’re not using at your previous location. Make an entry on your moving checklist and set reminders to do this on your phone.
Clean Your Former Space
Finally, do one last cleaning and walk-through of the space you’re leaving. If you’re leaving an apartment for a new one, you’ll want to get your deposit back. But getting it back may hinge on the condition of your space.
Devote time to doing a deep scrub of your former place. Tackle countertops, vanities, floors, and showers. If you’ve neglected to do more routine cleanings, you may want to outsource this responsibility to a professional cleaning company.
Additionally, you’ll want to walk through the space to ensure that you’ve not left anything behind. Check closets and cupboards. And make sure you have all your keys and other vital personal belongings.
Make an Apartment Moving Checklist
An apartment moving checklist enables you to stay on top of your moving timeline. Determine your moving budget and needs, and create an online task list. Then compare movers and secure reservations to keep your timeline on track.
When you want to learn more moving tips, check back for the latest articles!
