Relocating is complicated and stressful. Shipping off everything you own to a new place and completely changing your surroundings and lifestyle is hard. If you want your move to go as smoothly as possible, you have to get organized and create a moving binder.
Hiring a professional organizer is outdated and unnecessary. What does a moving planner do that you can’t do on your own? Unless you’re overwhelmed with work and other responsibilities, and you don’t have the time to eat, let alone organize a move, there is no need to hire someone to plan out your move. You can organize an efficient move all on your own with just a little bit of time and patience.
There are many options here. You can make one all on your own, or you can just order one on Amazon. You can purchase a kit for around $50. However you choose to do it, you should have a planner to serve you as an ultimate relocation guide.
Purchasing one is a hassle-free way out, but if you decide to DIY it, you can give it your personal touch. All that you will have to do is get a free printable online and buy the necessary supplies. You can get a printable online for free, as they are easily accessible and there is an insane number to choose from. When it comes to supplies, you will have to get:
If you can’t seem to find the right printable for you, or you simply feel like doing it by yourself because you’re a creative soul, you can make it without using moving organization binder printables. Create your own pages, sections, checklists, and so on. Doing everything on your own gives you more freedom to organize your folder however you’d like. If you’d like some inspiration for decorating, take a look at this video.
Think about what should be in a moving binder. Since it’s an organizational masterpiece that holds everything from information on long-distance movers to packing tips, it needs to be sectioned in a way that can make it legible. We recommend you section it into three parts – pre-move, day of the move, and post-move section. Create to-do lists for each section. This way, your move is covered from start to finish, and we can guarantee there will be no things you forget to do.
What should be on a moving checklist? This section should cover everything that you have to do before the big day of the move, all the relocation essentials. Have everything written down in detail, from your furniture measurements to a list of fragile items to pack. This is the most important part of the move, so take a look at everything it should include.
When it comes to relocating, a step you can never skip is doing your home inventory. It’s a piece of information you will undoubtedly need at some point. You can do it by yourself, you can call someone to do it, you can get a free estimate from a company, or you can even do photo inventory – it’s just important to document everything you own. You can do it by order, room by room, or create columns:
A pretty simple solution to making relocating easier is to get rid of as much stuff as you possibly can. Even if you hire packing services, you won’t have to pack a box, but you will still have to put in some work. Decluttering will not only make your life easier, but it will make your move cheaper as well. It’s a great way to save on costs because the more stuff you have, the more expensive the services will be.
Figure out what to keep, what to sell, and what to get rid of when relocating. If you’re not taking it with you, you can donate unwanted items, sell them online, organize a garage sale or simply toss items you won’t use again. When deciding on what to pack, keep in mind that there are items movers won’t move, so give those away as well. The key is to move as little stuff as possible.
The biggest decision you will face when it comes to the move is which long-distance moving services you will hire. When choosing a relocation company, you don’t want to pick the first one that pops up in your Google search. Take some time, do thorough research if you want to find a reliable company, and avoid scammers. You should check if a company is legitimate and keep all the gathered info in a binder. Any reliable company, such as the white glove moving company, will be licensed. A good rule to follow is to check out at least three companies before deciding. Look at their credentials and online reviews, or ask your friends and family for company recommendations.
Our spacious climate-controlled units will protect your things until the drop-off. No need to worry about them because all items are labeled and secure, and each customer gets a dedicated unit mixup isn’t possible.
Learn more Learn moreAll your stuff is secure with Long Distance Movers, but in case something does happen to it, there’s a moving insurance policy in place. We offer both basic Valuation Coverage and Full Value Protection.
Learn more Learn moreMove your car across the country in an open or enclosed trailer – for an affordable fee. We offer car transport as a standalone service, but you can bundle it with your household move and get a hefty discount.
Learn more Learn moreHaving a relocation budget is the second most important thing to do when planning out the move. You can’t organize a move without knowing how much you’re going to spend, and you have to organize your finances. Hiring white glove moving services won’t be the only expense you will be facing. You should have a section in your planner dedicated to your budget. This is also a great space for you to keep and organize important documents.
This section should cover any small errands that can easily get overlooked in the whole chaos. When relocating, people usually focus on hiring movers and filling boxes, and they think they’re pretty much done. But a lot of important chores get overlooked in the days leading up to the move. So, we have prepared the most basic things people forget to cover, so you won’t repeat the same mistake.
You have to remember to update your personal documents in time. Once your address changes, so does every single document containing your address. That includes your ID, driver’s license, passport, health insurance, and so on.
If you’d like to have running water and light once you arrive in your future home, we suggest that you transfer your utilities in time. Keep in mind that you don’t want to transfer utilities too soon and end up paying a double utility bill. Call your service providers and have them transfer utilities like electricity, water, gas, Internet, cable, etc. While you’re at it, cancel any subscriptions and memberships you have running.
The night before the white glove movers arrive, do a thorough inspection of the house and see if something got past you. Look behind furniture, open drawers, and check under the bed for any items that mistakenly got left behind.
If you forgot to include a going away party in your relocation plan, here is your reminder. Say goodbye to friends and family and throw a farewell party everyone will enjoy.
The very last few pages of your planner should be reserved for absolutely nothing. Leave a few final pages empty for any additional thoughts. This is a place for a last-minute to-do list and any reminders you have.
Even though the hard work is mainly done, the day of the move can be very stressful. Don’t allow yourself to be forgetful and late, so organize everything you will need that day in advance. By preparing beforehand and following a checklist, you won’t find yourself at the airport without a passport.
Once you get settled into your new home, you might think there isn’t much left to do but unpack after a move, but there is a bit more to it than that. There are still things to do after relocating, stuff you should take care of post-move, that should be neatly organized in your planner, which includes the following.
Relocating to a new city is difficult. You have completely different surroundings and you can feel a little lost sometimes. That’s why it’s so important to have emergency information written down, such as emergency contacts, nearest hospitals, vets, and so on. Until you get accustomed to the place, don’t count on remembering useful things around you, write them down.
This section should also hold any information important to the new home. Write down your changed address, security codes, passwords, bill due dates, and so on. Have any important reminders you know you will need in one convenient place.
Once you get to the tedious process of unpacking, it will be useful to have somewhere written down what’s in which box. Have a page dedicated to unboxing, and write down the meaning of labels. Also, use this page to write down any other reminders, such as furniture measurements.
Since you’ve created a packing checklist, you know what you’re missing in your house. Create a to-buy list and have everything you need to purchase in one place, along with the prices.
If you’re relocating with a kid, and especially with a newborn, besides standard decorating, you will have to baby-proof the house. Include your plans on how to baby-proof the house in your folder.
The most important part of any move is to keep on track and stay consistent with your plan. Relocating is difficult and can feel overwhelming at times. It’s a big transition that requires a lot of perseverance and effort. Stay on top of everything by following your checklists – it will ensure the whole process goes by effortlessly. Also, don’t toss your binder once you’ve settled into your new home, as you might need to use it again someday.
