Have you ever planned a big move before? If you have, you likely know all-to-well how much planning is involved with packing and unpacking your belongings, coordinating plans with movers and notifying utility companies and more. If not, you'll want to plan and prepare as much as possible in advance so that the move runs smoothly and everything goes according to plan. If you’re thinking about moving to a new home in New Jersey in 2020, these tips will help you streamline the process.

Six Weeks Before You Move

Find a Moving Company

Waiting until the last minute to schedule movers is never a good idea, particularly if you’ll be moving during the spring or summer when demand is high. Before you sign a contract, spend a few days researching movers in your area. Consumer Affairs offers user reviews of several national companies. If you plan to use a local company, check out online review sites or ask friends and neighbors for recommendations.

Schedule your move as soon as you have a firm move-in date. Keep in mind that it may not be possible to plan your move for a weekend day if you’ll be relocating in the spring or summer.

Downsize Your Belongings

Do you still have a few unpacked boxes from your last move? Purging your belongings can save you money on moving bills and make moving less of a hassle. Decide which items will be absolutely essential in your new home and which you can trash, donate or sell online or at a garage sale.

Clean and Make Repairs Room by Room

As you complete a room-by-room inventory of your belongings, spend a little time cleaning each space thoroughly. Cleaning as you go will mean you’ll have less work on move-out day. Are there are any small holes in the wall, peeling paint or non-functioning electrical outlets? Save time by repairing damage and defects as soon as you find them.

Begin Packing Non-Essential Items

If you’ll be doing some or all of the packing for your move, start filling boxes with items you don’t use often or don’t need right now, such as holiday decorations, seasonal equipment and toys, books, out-of-season clothing and extra bedding.

Check with your mover to determine what types of items they’ll move. United Van Lines notes that movers don’t usually move cleaning solvents, car and household batteries, fire extinguishers, gasoline, liquid bleach, loaded guns, ammunition, aerosol cans, charcoal, matches, nail polish and remover, paint, pesticides, perishable foods and other items.

One Month Before You Move

Contact Utility Companies

Arrange for electricity, gas, water and other utilities to be turned off at your current home when you move out and turned on in your new house on move-in day. Don’t forget about cable and internet service too.

Begin the School Transfer Process

If your children will be changing schools, now is the perfect time to find out what you need to do to move them from one school to the other. Ask your current school or school district how long it will take them to prepare and send your child’s records to the new district, then start the enrollment process in the new district.

Make Packing a Priority

Spend a few hours every day packing your belongings. Use a marker to note the destination of each box, or try a color-coded or number-based system. A spreadsheet that lists the contents of every box will help you find essential items when you need them.

The Day of Your Move

Put Aside the Items You’ll Move Yourself

Find a place to store televisions, computers, speakers and sound equipment, jewelry, cash, irreplaceable objects and other items you’ll be moving to the new house. Let the movers know that you’ll be moving these objects yourself and add “do not move” labels to them to prevent confusion.

Pack a First-Day Box

After a long, tiring moving day, the last thing you’ll want to do is rummage through a stack of boxes in search of a fork or can opener. If you pack one or two boxes with necessities, you’ll have all of the things you need to start enjoying your new home immediately. Consider adding a few of these items to your box:

• A few glasses and dishes
• A small selection of silverware and utensils
• Toaster
• Coffeemaker
• Tea kettle
• One or two pans or pots
• Can opener
• Soap
• Pen and notepad
• Toilet paper
• Hand towel
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• A small supply of pet food

Make Arrangements for Your Pets and Kids

Although older kids can be very helpful during a move, the day may be more productive if you send younger children and pets to a friend or relative’s home. If your pets must remain with you, put them in an empty room with a supply of food and water. Attach a sign to the closed door noting that pets are inside and should not be disturbed.

Have you been scouring the real estate websites looking for the perfect Central New Jersey home? Country Classics at Hillsborough offers four-bedroom, 2.5 bath executive homes with side-entry garages, chef’s kitchens, family rooms with fireplaces, and formal living and dining rooms. Contact us soon if you’re interested in making Hillsborough your new home.

Sources:

Consumer Affairs: Best Moving Companies

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/

United Van Lines: United’s Restricted Items

https://www.unitedvanlines.com/moving-tips/moving-checklists/non-allowable-checklist