It’s always exciting to move into a new apartment. On the flip side, preparations can take a lot of time and effort. It might be challenging to fit them into your regular schedule that includes work or studies. To make your life easier, we have composed a comprehensive checklist for people who are about to leave their old apartments. From this article, you’ll learn about the optimal order of packing your things and other useful to-dos.
8 Weeks In Advance
Some people might think it would be too early to start packing two months in advance. However, those who relocate from one apartment to another every couple of years can confirm it’s a wise practice. At this stage, it’s enough to make only four small steps to avoid hassle later.
If you live in a rented apartment or room, inform your landlord or landlady that you are about to leave soon. Normally, homeowners ask tenants to notify them one month in advance — but if you do it earlier, they will appreciate it. Imagine that some time later, you will need to show recommendations from your previous landlords to move into a rented apartment of your dreams. It would be nice to have a message that proves that you are punctual and responsible.
Decide where you will store all the information related to the moving process. This can include bills, screenshots of text conversations, photos of your old apartment that display lack of damage, and so on. It can be convenient to store all this data in a cloud solution so that you can access it from any device.
Conduct any research that you might need. For example, it can be legal requirements for your new place of residence or templates of agreements that you are planning to sign. If needed, save this information in a dedicated folder within your storage space.
Assess your upcoming expenses. Consider using Excel or an analog to this spreadsheet app — they have built-in formulas that will spare you from the necessity of making manual calculations.
7 Weeks In Advance
Now, it’s the right time to find a moving company and sign a contract with it. To minimize costs, you may book a truck — but in this case, be ready to pack and carry your belongings on your own. If you entrust these tasks to a team of professionals, you can end up saving more. Experienced movers know how to handle all types of objects, including heavy and fragile ones. Acting on your own, you will risk accidentally damaging something on the way.
It makes sense to contract the movers that early because the demand for their services tends to be high, especially in the warmer months of the year. Besides, last-moment bookings can involve a surcharge.
6 Weeks In Advance
During this week, you and the movers should finalize the discussion of all the formalities — such as curbside-use apps or parking permits for your old and new places of residency. Just in case, ask the team about what to do if your plans change at the last moment, and you’ll have to reschedule your moving day.
5 Weeks In Advance
Buy boxes, tape, plastic bags, and any other supplies that you might need. If you already have them, make sure they are in a good condition, and there are enough of them to pack all your belongings.
Sort your clothes, shoes, linen, and other items. If you don’t need something, think of ways of getting rid of them:
- Throwing away
- Donating to charities
- Giving them for free to your friends or relatives
- Selling them offline or online
Your dearest and nearest might need time to visit you and pick the things. Finding third-party buyers for your items can take even longer.
4 Weeks In Advance
If you have a pet and are planning to move long-distance, take it to a vet to get the required vaccines and certificates.
If you are employed, consider asking your boss for a day off to move. Warn your business partners, clients, and whoever you find necessary about the dates when you can be unavailable.
Ask the insurer to transfer your policy to your new address. Normally, it needs to be done one month in advance, but each company can have its own rules.
3 Weeks In Advance
Double-check your belongings once again to make sure you left only what you genuinely need. Throw away or donate all the excessive items.
If you are planning to invite the cleaners before leaving your old apartment, schedule an appointment for them now.
2 Weeks In Advance
Get in touch with movers to confirm your plans once again.
Start packing the things that you won’t need soon — such as the clothes and shoes that are not suitable for the current weather or outfits for special occasions.
Moving week
Inform your banks and other organizations that might require it about the fact of changing your address.
Finalize packing. For efficient time management, consider handling one room in one go.
Prepare bills for tips to movers.
If possible, visit your new apartment to see whether anything needs cleaning or fixing. Pick the keys if you can to do it now.
Double-check your plans and appointments for the moving day, such as the time and place of meeting with the movers, the obtained permits, and so on.
Empty your fridge. Consume all the products that were inside it.
Moving day
Set up an alarm to avoid oversleeping. Meet the movers and let them transport your packed belongings to the truck. Clean the apartment or let the hired cleaners do it. Examine all the rooms to make sure you leave everything in a good condition.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, the checklist in the article will make the process of moving to a new apartment more enjoyable for you! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss them. We’ll be happy to consult you on any topics related to your relocation to a new home.