Pack
If you have got the finances for it and have made an attempt to do a comprehensive job of purging, hiring professional movers is not a bad way to go. But if you are like a lot of people and are following a bit of a budget and struggling with getting organized with everything to box, packing yourself might be a viable choice. Professional packers will box up everything in sight—they are not there to clean or to judge, packers go in and get the task finished. If something is in view, it gets wrapped and put in a box. However, if you are planning to pack yourself, get your moving supplies ready – boxes, tape guns and newsprint and start boxing as you purge.
This is a strategy that functions well for quite a few folks, as you can knock two tasks at a time by putting the things you're keeping in one box and be done with it, at the same time you are tossing things out and making your donate/sell piles. If you start well ahead of moving day and allocate a couple of hours every day for purging and packing, you should make enough progress that you're able to manage the last few days fairly stress-free.
Commence with closets, chests, and cabinets, since that is where many folks collect the items they don't even remember that they own. Save the attic, basement, and garage for weekends when you have got all hands on-deck--let it be known that old basketballs and car parts only get boxed up if the owner is present to plead for their survival. Apportion a space in the garage for things that you are going to give to charity; some non-profits will send a truck to pick up your donated items and if it's all in one area that makes the pickup much easier.
If you are utterly overwhelmed at the thought of sorting through everything in your residence, think about hiring an estate liquidation company. They'll come in, help you purge, and then, they can sell furniture, appliances, toys, whatever you want them to. Things that don’t make the sale cut are donated or thrown away. If you are packing for your move yourself, there are companies you can hire that will come to your house and haul away your junk for a charge, or by the truckload, if you have got a bunch of stuff.
Pay
Paying for moving is one thing that some people forget to account for in the costs of the new residence, although it could be as costly as your closing costs. Unless you have got a relocation package, you must have a good idea of what costs you are going to take on with a move.
Call and talk with several professional movers to get an idea of what you'll spend for a full-service move versus one where you pack yourself and have the trucks come load, drive, and unload, and compare that to what it would cost to totally do it yourself and just rent a truck. If you opt to do your own packing, include the price of materials--boxes, tape, padding, and moving blankets among other things. When you're adding everything up, do not forget the time it will require to do your own boxing and loading, and the equipment and expertise you'll require for big or bulky furniture. If you have antiques, a piano, or a large safe, can you maneuver them without incident--what will your homeowner’s insurance cover in case you drop an antique clock? Movers are more costly, but they are insured, have the proper equipment and knowledge, and are less likely to slip a disc than you.
Moving to a new house and creating a new life is exciting,exhilarating and can be a wonderful experience for your entire family. Watching the three P’s of your move – purge, pack and pay -- by bringing with you only the items you actually use and love – allotting time for packing for your move -- and budgeting for the process -- will help make those great expectations a reality.
