5 Things to do NOW to prepare for your Summer Move

  It’s no secret that summer is the busiest time of year for those in the housing market and related industries, such as relocation. Many families are looking to take advantage of breaks from school in order to plan and execute their summer move so that they are ready to start the new school year in their new home, and possibly new school district. If you know that your family is planning a summer move, like many other families across the U.S., it’s never too early to start planning and prepping for moving day. As Summer draws closer, the number of available trucks and crews that moving companies have becomes less and less, meaning that, when it comes to planning your relocation, the early bird definitely gets the worm.   If you aren’t sure where to start when planning your summer move, here are 5 things you can do now to make sure you’re prepared once moving day arrives:

1. Research Companies: Not all moving companies are created equally, and you want to make sure that you can trust the company that will be packing up your possessions and driving them across town, or possibly across the country. Don’t be fooled by the lowest price, verify company affiliations and licensure, and consider working with a certified Pro-Mover.
2. Get an In-Home-Estimate: If you’re moving and you are not planning to get an in-home-estimate, you might want to re-think your approach. Moving charges are based on distance AND weight, so a moving company needs to physically assess your belongings to develop a quote for your move. This also allows you to let them know if you plan to leave anything behind or put it in storage prior to moving, OR note if you have items in storage or at another location that need to be included in your relocation costs.
3. Book Early! This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer. Summer is one of the busiest times of year for the transportation and relocation industry and many customers who book at the last minute find that they are subject to black-out dates OR that their desired moving date is already booked. If you know you will be on a tight schedule or cannot be flexible with your dates, book as early as possible. Another piece of advice: consider booking early in the week, Monday and Tuesday moves tend to be much easier to come by than Thursday or Friday.

4. Lighten Your Load: If you will be downsizing, or you are just looking to lessen the number of items you bring into your new home, consider taking time a few months ahead of your move to sort through clothes, toys, and other household items you have been accumulating in attics, closets, or the garage. If you’re planning to have a yard sale or donate the bulk of your items, make sure you allow time to complete these items a few weeks before moving day, so that you have time to sort and pack what is left.
5. Start Packing: Don’t wait until the week before to start packing your items. This task will always take much longer than you want it to, so make sure you allow ample time. If you are considering using a packing service through your moving company, allow them to pack fragile items, while you handle things like clothes, linens, and other non-breakable items. As you’re packing make sure you label your box with the ROOM and a LIST OF CONTENTS so you are able to find items as you are unpacking at your new home.

As you continue to prepare for your upcoming move, make sure you are working ahead to prepare and plan for all the little items that come along with a relocation. If you are looking for a resource to help you navigate through all the parts and pieces, check out some of our printable guides and checklists.