You’re relocating. Your latest job is taking you to St. George, Utah. You’re excited about looking for a new home and community in this particular area. You’ve hired a realtor and have scheduled a visit to see a couple of properties over the weekend. There’s work to be done on both sides of the relocation equation.
You’re taking your personal stuff, as well as items from your business. Your mind is exploding just thinking about whether you should pack the refrigerator or not. You’re not alone. Let’s look at some important considerations when relocating.
Moving in America
You will be part of the estimated 35.5 million Americans who move every year. While this may look like a significant number, changing residences have declined in recent years. In 1985, 20% of Americans relocated, but by 2018, the number has gone down to just 10%.
Get Rid of Other Stuff
Put a plan in place on how you’re going to get rid of some stuff. Here’s a list that should help you in this process:
- Create a pile or segregated items you want to get rid of, e.g., kitchen items, books, toys, bed and bath items, etc.
- Donate. If you’re not interested in getting some cash for your items, then donate them.
- Sell. Do a yard sale or sell them online. But plan for items that will not be sold.
The main objective is to pare down and this requires careful planning.
Hire a Moving Company
Do your research when hiring a moving company. Ask around about the performance of companies. Check online if the one you selected has been given high ratings by customers. Find out exactly what you are paying for, e.g., does it include the packing and the boxes? The key is to conduct due diligence.
It’s in the Box
Movers typically include boxes as part of their services. If you are going to DIY the packing, make sure you get boxes that are graded for moving.
The Packing
Think it through, especially if you have a big house and plenty of personal items. Consider the following process:
- Do it early. Start packing early or at least two weeks before the actual move.
- Create a system. Do it room by room. Create a master list and code your entries for the labels, e.g., KT-001 could be a box number for kitchen items. Write a brief description of what’s inside the box.
- Secure your valuables. Jewelry, expensive gadgets, important documents, etc., should be packed separately. If this can travel with you, it’s much better.
- Use stretch film. Protect items like furniture, paintings, or electronic devices by wrapping them up using stretch film or bubble wrap.
- Supervise the movers. Give them general instructions, e.g., what to put together or which set of boxes goes into the truck first.
Your Children and Your Pets
Make sure all the necessary documents from your children’s former school are with you. Plan for the needs of your pets as well. This may require additional budgeting.
Tying Up Loose Ends
Don’t let items like settling phone bills, cable subscription, and other utilities slip through the cracks. Inform people and organizations about your new address.
This is a merely partial list of what you need to do to prepare for your home relocation. Get organized early and avoid the headache.
