Tips & Tricks: How To Make Moving Easier and Faster

Moving is hard, to say the least. Read on for some not-so-secret secrets on how to make moving easier, from organizing your time to packing more efficiently.

Whether you’re moving to a metropolis or a small town, whether it’s your first time or your tenth, and whether you’re doing it alone or with friends, one thing is for sure — moving is one of life’s great equalizers. Why? Because it causes its own unique brand of stress and worry.

The good news? Moving day, and the weeks of preparation, don’t have to be so stressful, especially with the help of Alfred’s luxury concierge services.

Moving might never be your favorite pastime, but there are ways to speed up the process and take a (metaphorical) load off your shoulders. Read on for some not-so-secret secrets on how to make moving easier, from organizing your time to packing more efficiently.

#1 Set a Schedule

When it comes to moving, the to-do list might seem endless. Knowing that can make the impending process feel all the more daunting, which is where having a schedule can come in handy.

Maybe your first week looks something like this…

• Monday: Make the actual schedule, deciding on order and priority
• Tuesday: Set a moving budget and buy what packing materials you need
• Wednesday: Contact whoever needs to know about the move
• Thursday: Go through your belongings and determine what stays and what goes
• Friday: Start packing what you don’t immediately need, like books and knickknacks

Not everyone has the luxury of time, of course, but there’s always a way to split everything up and make tasks more manageable. To help add a little fun to the process, reward yourself for completing specific tasks so that “getting it done” isn’t the only thing you have to look forward to.

#2 Before You Box, Make Some Decisions

Before you so much as fold a cardboard box, get out a garbage bag (or two, or ten). Go through your stuff and really, really double down on what you do and don’t need, as well as what you can and can’t take. You don’t have to abandon all sentiment in the face of practicality, but come on, are you really going to fit that 1:1 replica of Michelangelo’s David in your new studio?

Alternatively, you could donate unwanted items to a charity or nonprofit using Alfred’s sustainable disposal service. We’ll do all the heavy furniture lifting (and box lifting) and you can rest easy knowing that your items are getting a second life.

If you’re not quite ready to kiss your David replica goodbye but know it won’t fit in your new space, Alfred also offers storage solutions in which you can schedule pick-ups with local Alfred storage partners. They’ll even redeliver your items once you’re ready to reintegrate them into your home.

#3 Packing Like a Pro

You might wait until the last minute to pack before a trip, but doing the same before a move could spell disaster. Efficient and careful packing is an essential moving tip that can make or break a move; free-throwing stuff into boxes willy-nilly just isn’t going to cut it.

Here are a couple of things that will cut it:

• Cardboard boxes are a mover’s best friend. They come in all shapes and sizes, so know what you need to pack before you buy a million of the same moving box. When a cardboard box isn’t enough — like for, say, framed artwork — ask for special crating services.
• Load heavy stuff in first, and stack lighter stuff on top. If there’s room for things to jangle around, slip in packing paper — clothing works too (and using it means less to pack later). We also recommend wrapping any fragile items or breakables in clothes, towels, or packing paper too!
• Tape and label your boxes properly. The last thing you want is to spill a box of mislabeled Halloween decorations in the kitchen in April. Get your hands on essential packing material like heavy duty packing tape, sharpies, and extra boxes!
• Number your boxes and keep track of what’s in them on a digital document or notes app. With this moving hack, you can check off each box as it’s opened and know immediately if Box #42 with your family photo albums didn’t make it onto the moving truck and is still in the garage at your old place.
• If a box is too heavy to lift, don’t strain yourself. Ask for help, use a dolly, or hire professional movers from a moving company.
• Bubble wrap is cheap, effective, and resists wear and tear — perfect for packing boxes and keeping most objects safe. Packing paper and plastic wrap are helpful as well.
• Fill a suitcase with enough clothes to last the moving process, and pack the rest away.

Once your items are packed and transferred to your new destination, make your new house a home using Alfred’s home set-up and organization services. Whether you’re looking to simplify your space or cultivate a gallery wall that’s the envy of your neighborhood, our partnered technicians and KonMari-certified consultants will help you every step of the way.

#4 The Technicalities of Transferring Tech

Wherever you move, you’ll need utilities as much as you always did. The best way to make sure you have them is to prepare ahead of time.

Utility companies have no way of knowing you’re moving unless you tell them, so drop a line or send an email to each and every one, from water providers to internet service providers. Have the information you need on record, let them know when and where you’re moving, and they’ll take care of the rest. And don’t forget to get any security deposits back! It might require some extra legwork, but when you have that check in hand, it’ll be all the more satisfying.

If the idea of transferring utilities on your own has your mind spinning, contact Alfred’s moving concierge to help coordinate your move. We’ll help you set up your services and even hook you up with other moving-day life-savers like stocking your fridge so you can start your first day in your new home with a full heart and stomach.

Welcome to the Future of Living with Alfred

If moving still seems like a lot of work… that’s because it is. But by creating a schedule, moving checklist, finding the help you need, tidying up, packing like an expert with our packing hacks, and setting up utilities beforehand, the time will fly.

At Alfred, we can make that time fly even faster. Whether you need luxury concierge services or resident services, we’re committed to ensuring you have the help you need to keep your calendar open. Need help crafting a dog schedule for working owners? We can help. Want to learn about the fastest way to clean a house? We’ve got you covered. Get in touch today to see how we can lend a hand — for more than just moving.

Sources:

Moving.com. 4 Steps to Transferring Utilities Before You Move. https://www.moving.com/tips/moving-seamlessly-with-your-utilities/

Real Simple. Moving Tips and Packing Advice for Your Best Move Yet. https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/moving/moving-packing-tips