The world can be divided into two groups of people. Those who create lists that they use to organize every single aspect of their lives and those who turn up their nose at the idea of creating a list, preferring to handle each day as it comes at them.
When it comes to a smooth and stress-free moving day, everyone needs to become a list maker and create a detailed moving checklist. Trust us, it will make everything easier.
Getting Started
Do you hate the idea of turning on your computer and using excel to create an elaborate spreadsheet of moving day duties? That’s okay. The only person who cares if your moving day checklist is professional-looking is yourself. Some people like to have excel spreadsheets, other people do equally well with a spiral notebook. We’ve even seen incredibly effective moving day checklists that were written on whiteboards or created out of sticky notes that were stuck to a wall.
Choose whatever approach works for you. Your checklist-style isn’t nearly as important as what you write on your list.
What Goes on Your List
The simple answer to what goes on your list is that you need to put everything that comes to mind on your list. Items that you should list include:
- Collecting estimates from moving companies
- Booking a moving company
- Decluttering your home in packing preparation
- Purchasing packing supplies
- Packing
- Having a yard sale or transporting unwanted items to a thrift store
- Getting veterinarian records for your pets
- Alerting banks/post offices/landlords/etc that you’re moving
- Discontinuing utilities
- Setting up utilities in your new home
- Changing/updating your address
- Arranging help with the move
- Packing up vehicles
- Planning the route you’re going to take to your new home
- Having both your old and new residence professional cleaned
- Unpacking
Many people find that they do best when they create a moving day checklist and then create sub-moving day checklists. For example. For the packing section, they might have a few sub lists that would list specific rooms to pack up or specific items. Many find that breaking things into bite-sized chunks not only makes the move less overwhelming, but also a great deal smoother.
Set Goals
Once you’ve created your moving day checklist, add projected dates that serve as a goal for when you want to have a specific task done. Try to come up with some fun ways to celebrate each task you complete.