As of this week, local schools will be out and it will really start to feel like summer! If you’re planning on moving during the summer months, here are a few simple, yet important, tips to help make your move easier and hassle-free.
Ahead of Time:
- Book your mover as early as possible! Good movers are booked up weeks, if not months, in advance. Because moving “season” is often thought to be May through September, movers can be hard to schedule at short notice. If you think there is any chance of a summer move, go ahead and call or email for an estimate and book your date. Also be sure to find out about cancellation policies in case you have to cancel or change your plans.
- Make a list of all the to-do’s first! List out the calls you need to make or things you can do online, such as changing your address, changing phone service, etc. Keep it all in one folder to make notes and keep track of it all.
- Stock up on supplies ahead of time. Get boxes, wrapping paper, tape, magic markers, storage totes, etc. It’s easier to be efficient when you don’t have to keep running out for things.
- Start packing a couple of weeks early if you can. Walking around your entire house and thinking it about packing it all up can be very daunting! Start with the rooms you don’t use as much (such as the dining room or a china cabinet or winter closets) and pack it early and move boxes off to the side. Just packing a few boxes can make you feel like you’re making progress.
Moving Day:
- Get help! Friends and neighbors tend to offer a hand during a big move. Take advantage of the help when you can. Borrow a neighbor’s truck for moving items, let a friend take the kids for a few hours if needed, or have a friend help you clean after the movers clear out. Every little bit helps a move seem less hectic!
- Keep an extra set of clothes on hand for everyone. If everything is packed up and you get sweaty from all of the hard work of moving, you don’t want to be uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
- Hydrate! Moving can be hard even if you are doing the “light” work on a hot day. Make sure you stay hydrated by keeping lots of water on hand. And it’s always a nice gesture to have water available for your moving crew too.
- Be careful to bag up items that could melt in the summer heat such as candles and soaps. You may want to put these items into a separate container that you can transport in an air conditioned car instead of the moving truck.
- Practice care when it comes to your computers too. Again, the heat can wreak havoc on certain items such as delicate computer electronics. It’s a good idea to transport your computer components yourself (if your move is local of course) to be on the safe side.
- And finally, remember not to pack flammable items such as household cleaners and hairspray. These items do not do well in high heat.
And once the work is done, relax and enjoy the rest of summer in your new home!
