anyone have any tips to make moving easier?

Question

i'm going to move to a different town in a few weeks and was just wondering if anyone had any tips to make it easier?
we're going to label boxes clearly, as we'll have a lot of helpers (i can't lift much right now, pregnant!) and put labels on the bedroom doors, too.
we have one full weekend, and one half weekend between now & the move. (we also have 3 cats to move!)
any other tips??

also, we have a bit over a week where both places are ours. the old place needs a lot of cleaning. & the new place needs some repairs.

aww... i have a plan for my kitties, they're going to be moved first, directly into a prepared garage which will be closed off until i can go in & spend some time with them. (which i will do sporadically throught the move)

Answer 1

Take everything one room at a time. Go to your spare bedroom first (if you've got one and box all that stuff up first. Box everything in one room and then stack the boxes up in that room. That way when you box up another room, you can bring the boxes in there. Therefore making moving boxes very simple. Go through the house and pack up like you're going on a week's vacation with toiletries, and clothes, etc. Have just enough to get you though and then you can begin boxing everything up. I would suggest going to the grocery store and for suppers until you all get moved, getting predone meals (Stouffer's Lasagna, etc.) to cook. And then you can pack up most of your kitchen things. You can go get plastic sliverware and paperplates and cups for probably 5 bucks and they should last until you get moved. As far as the cats go, I don't know if you've moved them before, but when we moved from Troy, AL to Tulsa, OK we got two of our laundry baskets and put the cat in one and put the other on top (so as to make a cage, but not really because the cat could see out) secure it with zipties or yarn or string of some sorts. Use something that you can easily undo so the cat can use a litter box or eat/drink. Good luck!!

Answer 2

1. You really want to get rid of everything you do not need, especially if there is a chance you might cross state lines where your moving truck will be weighed at a station! Then you'll not only be paying an emotional price but a financial one.
2. Once you buy (or rent) the new house, make a list of every room in your current house. You can transfer some of the treasures of your rooms easily. Kitchen utensils will always go in the kitchen. But the room you call 'guest room' in the current house may be the 'den' in the new house. Then make a list of all the rooms in the new house.
3. You want to label things carefully for the movers. I also hope you will let them pack! If this is the case, you can put up a sign in each room that says where the contents are to go in the new house. Then, at the new house, put up signs that identify the new rooms. Why? Because time is money and the fewer times the movers have to stop and ask questions, the better it is for your pocketbook. If you do have them pack, you can also save yourself some money by packing easy items like linens and books.

Answer 3

It may take a tiny bit longer, BUT; I pack and move one room at a time. @When that room is completely packed, and labeled, I move to the nexr room, etc. On moving day, I move one room at a time, When that room is cleared, I clean it and shut the door leaving the closet/cabinet doors open to show empty. I also load the way I am going to unload.@ If the fartherest room from the front door is the master bedroom, I load the master bedroom onto the truck first, then the next, etc. I load all the boxes first, ( I use banana boxes from the store) and then the furniture so that when we unload the fyrniture first, we have places set and can start unpacking almost immediately. It doesnt take that long to unpack. Good Luck

Answer 4

To help your cats get over the shock consider putting some Feliway in the new location. It is the synthetic version of the hormone cats rub onto everything when they bunt. This will make it seem like home faster. They will also be less likely to spray if the house used to have cats.
http://westwoodanimalhospital.com/ProductsToys/PheroInfo/feliway_information.htm
http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/cat/health-care/calming/100221.asp

Leave your cats til the last trip so they are not left alone in a strange place but do shut them in so they do not hide during the hubbub of moving day. Your cats may be disturbed by the activity of furniture being moved out, but at least they are in familiar surroundings in a room or cage shut off from the activity with familiar items to comfort them.
Once everything is quiet & the movers have left it is time to let your cats explore their new home. Be sure to block all openings even the chimney as cats have been known to climb them.

Answer 5

The first answer was really good and they're all good suggestions. Here's a few more: If possible, clean the new place before the move. It's much nicer moving in without having to stop to wash or sweep. Keep a box with you in the car for things you will need right away, this might include cleaning supplies, a tool box for reassembly, curtains or sheets to hang on the windows for privacy, toilet paper, soap, trash bags, a fan, etc... You can protect valuable glassware and knickknacks by wrapping them in socks or clothing and packing them in dresser drawers. Have plenty of cold drinks available for your helpers. I moved a lot when I was younger and have no intention of doing it again. It's a ton of work so start early with the cleaning and purging and get a good night's sleep the night before. Good luck.

Answer 6

Set a goal of a few boxes a night, or a room every couple of days. That way, even on the days that you are totally over moving and jsut want to watch TV, you can still feel like something is getting accomplished and you wont feel like you left it all to the last minute. As far as the kitties, talk to them about whats going on so they don't freak out. When all of the stuff is in disarray, they might get a little nervous. Also, you might get them used to the carriers now by setting them out with the doors off and a nice fuzzy blanket inside so they don't totally freak out when you put them inside for moving day.

Answer 7

labelling is good. Not too many books in big boxes - try to spread them around(also applies to newspapers, magazines, office papers.) While it is nice to have in 1 box....it is extremely heavy. Also take the fragiles with you personally. Wrap, wrap, wrap. Tape the boxes shut and keep them as square as possible. Empty the dresser drawers. Also MT the freezer./and fridge. Make sure all containers that contain fluid have proper fitting lids. Also clearly mark this side up with arrows so there is no excuse. Use a felt marker ALOT

Answer 8

Put things that you might need right away in see through plastic containers so you can access them right away. I moved and had the doggies gear all packed for them but forgot to include a spoon and can opener for their wet food. Poor starving doggies had to wait until I found the kitchen box with the two items I needed to feed them. Do the same for your own daily use items so you can hit the ground running without having to search through boxes to find what you need. Also, put all important papers (i.e. insurance, account numbers, next month's bills, etc.) in a lock box that is easily accessible. That way none of your helpers can get into it, but you have them handy in case you need them.

Answer 9

well first box up non essantials ..like answer 1..take down pictures, box kitchen stuff that you wont be using bed room stuff garage stuff etc.....only keep the basic needs of stuff out do things 1 by 1 room by room label everything tape boxes secure put boxes in 1 area to be easily moved when getting to new home un pack only essentials first dont kill your self to un pack when loading cats make sure you unpack all there needs so they will get used to new surroundings .hope all goes well and congrats on new baby!! hope everything goes well with delivery....

Answer 10

you might consider to get some moving labor to help you, i paid like $270 for 2 labours and 4 hours. you might need to pack those small item into boxes and get everything ready, so that when the labor come, you can make them carry the heavy stuff or do the heavy jobs for you instead of wasting their time doing the light job.
you can find the moving labour by online search, depends on where you live, try city search, or ask u-haul or truck rental company for recommendation.
don't forget to have all the moving applicances ready too, like furniture dolly, applicance dolly, furniture pad wrapping around your precious wood furniture etc... and plastic wrap too.