Planning a move to Portland OR? Pinched for time? You’ll have to plan ahead as well as possible so you can shave off precious minutes, hours and days from the moving process. Once moving day arrives, you’ll be exhausted and just ready to get it all over with. It’s time-consuming and stressful to move to a new house, and you’re likely expending lot of energy and effort to ensure the process goes smoothly.
With that planning and effort comes stress because you just don’t think you’ll be ready in time. When you have control of the process and plan out the timeline in advance, you can lower that stress level and maybe even enjoy the journey.
Best part of it all is you don’t have to spend tons of time on a move – with the right moving company behind you and with a solid plan. Here are tips to help you save some time when relocating.
Come up With a Schedule
Create a schedule before you even start packing up boxes. This way, you can more efficiently tackle each task that comes your way, from collecting moving supplies to packing to organizing. Plus, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute to get stuff done.
Ideally, you’ll want to start all this about two months before the move. If you don’t have that much time because the relocation is a bit of last-minute thing, start as soon as you know you’re moving.
Come up with a checklist of tasks you need to complete before moving day. Don’t assume you’ll remember everything. Get it down on paper and create a list that you can check off as you go. This will give you immense satisfaction – sometimes the act of checking things off a list is very satisfying!
Don’t forget to set firm due dates and try not to leave the tedious or hard stuff for last.
De-Clutter Your Space
Now that you have a plan, it’s time to start downsizing your possessions. There’s no better time to do this than when facing a home relocation. Take this opportunity to evaluate what you have, keep what you truly need, and get rid of everything else.
Not only does it simply feel freeing to let go of the clutter and lighten your load, it gives you pleasure to know your unwanted stuff will get a new home with someone who needs it. You can donate what’s still in good condition and trash what’s not. There are many charities to donate to in Portland so check them out before you just throw stuff out.
You may also consider selling items online to make a little extra cash for your moving supplies and what not. The less stuff you have to pack, the more money you’ll save on your move. It’s a win-win!
Pack Like the Professionals
Saving time doesn’t mean throwing your stuff in boxes and taping them shut. In fact, packing will take up the majority of your time, so make sure you leave enough time to get it done right.
Pack like a pro, and also label like a pro. Neatly packed boxes mean nothing if you haven’t outlined what’s in each one. You may want to try a color-coded system with one color per room so everyone knows yellow goes in the kitchen, blue goes in the bathroom, and red goes in the playroom. Don’t just label on the tops of the boxes. Label on all sides because your boxes will shift during the move.
While you don’t have a write a book about what’s in each box, you should be as specific as possible when labeling. For instance, write: MASTER BEDROOM – 2nd ROOM ON LEFT – DRESSER.
If you are really crunched for time, hire your movers to pack for you. This is an add-on service many movers offer to help you save time and effort. They will even show up with all the supplies needed and pack your belongings safely for transport.
Gather Moving Supplies
The worst time stealer is the process of gathering moving supplies. You may find yourself scrambling for free boxes, bubble wrap and tape while immersed in the process of packing. Do yourself a favor and gather all these things before you begin. Anticipate how many boxes you will need, along with the right amount of packing paper, bubble wrap, moving blankets and tape you will need.
Hunting these things down at the last minute leads to a stressful situation. And that’s when mistakes are made.
If you’ve done the de-cluttering and downsizing process we recommended, you will get a very clear idea of what supplies you need and how many, from newspaper and markers to box cutters and more.
If you want to cut down on waste, try repurposing things you already have around the house for packing. If you’re short on boxes, use your suitcases and plastic bins. Keep contents in your dresser drawers instead of removing everything and packing separately. Wrap delicate items in rags, towels, and clothing. Jewelry and even stemware can be stored in socks.
Prepare the House
Moving day will be a chaotic jumble of people – from the movers to your family and even your pets. Make sure your home is prepared for the chaos by making clear pathways, removing objects and designating certain areas for snacks and drinks. This will make it easier to navigate, especially when people will be loaded with boxes and won’t always be able to see objects around them clearly.
Remove throw rugs and outlet cords to prevent tripping hazards. Leave all entry and exit doors open so movers can go in and out easily.
Hire Portland Move
No matter how many times you have moved in your life, moving companies have done it many more times than you. They are experts, and for good reason. They know the process like the backs of their hands and can get you moved in and out in Portland in no time. To get your free quote, call us at (971) 265-6029.