We all know how stressful moving can be, but did you know that moving is one of the most stressful life events? According to uhhospitals.org, moving is the third most stressful life event. Preceded by the death of a loved one and divorce, and followed by a major illness or injury, and job loss. Planning ahead and being organized can help ease some of the stress involved with moving.
TicToc’s team of Time Savers has been packing, coordinating, and assisting our clients with moves big and small— We are packing and organizing experts! Over the years, we have come up with a great system to make moving simple. We are here to share some of our best moving tips.
When getting ready to make a move, we all want the process to be as smooth and seamless as possible. The best thing to do is come up with a plan! And the sooner the better. As soon as you know you may be moving, create a game plan. Begin by outlining every task that needs to get done and give yourself due dates for each one. Many of us tend to procrastinate. The longer you wait to tackle them, the more stress there will be when the big day arrives.
Create a checklist for your moving process and reserve your moving company. Do this as early as possible. This is also the perfect time to call TicToc. We coordinate and plan all aspects of your move. We can even arrange to supervise your movers!
When making your moving plan, make a list of all the supplies you will need. A few must-haves are:
Boxes
Packing tape
Permanent markers (to label boxes)
Bubble wrap (to wrap fragile items like crystal or dishes)
If you are looking to save some money, visit your local stores! They often have many boxes of all sizes that end up being recycled or trashed. Offer to take the empty boxes off their hands! Just be sure they are in good shape and can be closed properly. You will also want boxes of all sizes. Not just larger ones (although you will need many large boxes!) Having all your supplies ready to go will help ensure a smooth move.
When you begin packing, organize items by room and clearly label each box. We have heard stories of people running out of room in a kitchen box, so they throw a random but often used kitchen item in the guest room box because it had extra space, only to not be able to find that kitchen item since they haven’t unpacked the guest room. Save yourself time and stress. Only pack kitchen items in boxes labeled kitchen and bathroom items in the bathroom box.
Procrastination leads to stress. Once you know you are moving, the packing should begin. Start with a room that isn’t used as often, like a spare bedroom or bathroom. Your children may not be crazy about the idea, but it’s even a great idea to pack up a playroom as soon as you know you are moving. It will mean less clutter too!
Set aside time each day to do a little packing so you are not overwhelmed with doing it all in one weekend. Not only is that stressful, but it is exhausting! Having TicToc’s Time Savers are here for you to ensure you are packed and ready for the big day!
Have zip-lock bags and labels ready for all the small items that are easily confused or lost. For example, when taking apart a piece of furniture, simply put all the screws, nuts, and bolts in a baggie, clearly label them (Timmy’s bed) and attach them to the piece of furniture. Keeping it attached to the furniture piece will help ensure ease when reassembling, and you will always know where it needs to go. It’s a great idea to do the same for electronics!
You may think this sounds silly, but individually wrapping items containing liquid in plastic can prevent spills and leaks, which can ruin other stuff in your boxes and even the box! All toiletries and household liquids should be individually wrapped and well-sealed to avoid spillage.
Pack tightly
This sounds obvious, but so many people leave boxes with loose items rolling around. This is especially important for fragile items like china, crystal, and glass. Wrap individual fragile items in bubble wrap and newspaper. To ensure individual items do not roll around and get crushed, fill in gaps within the box with newspaper. In addition, clearly label items like glass and china as FRAGILE, so your movers are extra careful with these boxes.
Even if you pack in advance of your moving day, there will always be last-minute items to be packed. What do you do with these last-minute items? The experts at TicToc recommend setting a box (or a few) aside reserved for last-minute items. Some items in your last-minute boxes might include toiletries, clothing, food, cleaning supplies, tablets, phone chargers, and medications. You might consider having a last-minute box for each person in the home or by room. Just like all your other boxes, these must be clearly labeled.
TicToc can coordinate and plan all aspects of your move. TicToc ensures the careful and efficient packing of all the items in your home. Packing professionals with TicToc Concierge can get your house safely packed. It takes time to move out, and we have experienced ladies who can take care of it all for you. Whether you just need the kitchen and breakables packed, or the whole house, we can save you time and reduce the stress of your move. When arriving at your new location, we help resettle all your items, from unpacking and reorganizing to removing boxes and lining shelves. TicToc Concierge can save you time and reduce the stress of setting up your new home.
While it can be the start of an exciting new chapter in your life, moving is often stressful, and adding kids, pets, and a new city to the mix can be downright chaotic. Whether you’re relocating across town or the nation, moving takes TIME… and lots of it. Lucky for you, TicToc is here to guide you every step of the way with as little or as much help as you need.