The week just prior to the move will be the time for “tying up all loose ends”. Notifications of changes of address should have already been sent or made to the appropriate agencies, and the week before can be used to follow up on these. This will ensure that mail continues to be received in a timely manner.

It should be determined that banks and other financial agencies have been made aware of address changes. This will eliminate any problems, and will aid in maintaining security of records.

Arrangements for the commencement of utility and other services at the new residence should be made during this final week. In this way, it will be guaranteed that the house will indeed be ready for occupancy upon moving in. Likewise, it may be wise to contact utility companies, to ensure that they are aware of discontinuance of services to the old house.

Packing should be completed to the fullest extent possible. It will still be necessary to retain some items, as life must continue in the old residence right up until the day of departure.

However, as each day passes, more and more things, such as clothing and shoes can be finally packed.

Appliances should be inspected and cleaned during the final week. Attention should be given to any perishable food that is still in the home. If there is a chance that the food cannot be moved without thawing or reaching a dangerous temperature level, it should be consumed, given away, or thrown away.

Those rooms that are being used the least can be cleaned during the last week. This will eliminate having to do them on the final day, when it will be necessary to clean those rooms that were still being utilized until the final day.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The month prior to the move is when arrangements should be made for the packing, storage, and moving of belongings. If a professional moving service will be used, the company should be chosen and the time slot reserved.

Doing this in advance will allow time for more thorough research and investigation into the services provided, as well as the expense that will be incurred. This can eliminate any problems that might otherwise occur from having to make a quick decision under a time constraint.

If the home has been “de-cluttered”, that is, all unneeded items or items that will not be moved for one reason or another have been disposed of, the moving company will be better equipped to offer a more correct estimate. This can result in a reduction of moving and packing costs.

If packing is to be done by those other than family members, the month before the move should be devoted to researching and investigating companies which offer this service, and reserving the time with the company chosen. This will allow for “comparison shopping”, so that the best services for the most value can be obtained. Arrangements can also be made, if necessary, for any additional insuring of valuables or belongings.

If it is determined that a cleaning service might be needed, the month before the move will be ample time to investigate and hire the company that best suits the purposes for which they are being engaged. Once packing has been accomplished, the company will be better able to accomplish a more thorough cleaning.

Utility and other companies which provide electrical, water, gas, and other services to the home should be contacted during the final month. Arrangements can be made at that time for the discontinuation of these services.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Deciding what needs to be kept and what can be or will be disposed of before packing for a move is essential. This process will reduce the amount of packing and unpacking that must be done.

Careful consideration into what will be moved and what can be disposed of will also reduce moving costs, especially if a professional moving company is being retained. If the process of elimination can be achieved before the moving company representative comes to determine the amount of property to be moved and, subsequently, how much it will cost, this is all the better. One cannot be charged for items that will not be moved.

It is sometimes difficult to decide what must be disposed of; however, the benefit of efficient elimination is seen in the additional space that is gained. There is always room for items that hold sentimental value, as long as good judgement is exercised in determining whether or not something is considered in that category. A family heirloom—definitely; a ten-year-old magazine article—no.

The period before a move is a good time to determine which paper items truly need to be retained, and which ones can be disposed of. Of course, any important documentation should be kept. Ideally, it should have already been separated and securely stored. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a document, especially if it appears to have legal or official status, should be kept, it is probably wise to retain the document.

If time permits, one may wish to dispose of unwanted or unneeded property through a yard or garage sale, or by online auction. This will not only serve to dispose of the items, but will generate additional revenue. Donations to charity are still a very good choice.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Boxes are best packing belongings. They come in many sizes, and, when packed properly, can hold several items. A fairly sturdy box will only need a little extra tape at stress points to further strengthen it.

It is important that boxes can be easily handled. It does no good to pack a large box as full as it will go if the box cannot be moved with relative ease once it has been packed. Also, while they may hold more, larger boxes will require more space in the transport vehicle, and indeed may not allow for the vehicle to be packed in such a way that all available space can be used.

Clothing, bedding, and other “soft” items can be packed in bags; however, care must be taken to ensure that the bags are either properly labeled to where no error can be made as to what bags contain belongings and what bags may contain garbage, refuse, or even items marked for charity or giveaway.

Packing containers should be loaded in such a way as to make the most use of all available space. Larger objects should be placed inside first, then the area around the item packed with smaller items.

Proper labeling is very important for those who are moving. Boxes can usually be written on directly; however,it may be necessary to find a means of properly labeling a bag. Labeling should not only reflect the contents, but also where the particular container should go.

Unpacking will probably take longer than initial packing. Again, this is where proper labeling and wise use of moving containers is crucial. Items that will be needed immediately should be packed and labeled accordingly; other articles can then be unpacked as time as necessity dictates. Unpacking may take up to two months to complete.

Popularity: 3% [?]

There are probably as many ways to pack as there are packing containers and materials. Therefore, the best way to pack will be the way that best suits the individual person or family.

It will probably take approximately four weeks for packing to be completed. Therefore, thought should be given as to what can be packed immediately, and what may need to be packed later.

It is always a good idea to begin the process of elimination before any actual packing is begun. There is no need to pack something if it is not going to be moved and used in the new location.

Once all unnecessary items have been taken care of, seasonal clothing and items as well as belongings in any lesser-used rooms can be packed. Books, videos, DVDs, and things of that nature can be packed, as can items in any garages, outbuildings, or storage areas. Once the items in garages, outbuildings, or storage areas are packed, the resulting space can be used to store the already packed items.

Essential items, of course, will have to be packed over the last few days; however, bedroom items that can be spared can be packed. This can include extra bed clothing, and decorative throws or pillows. Likewise, clothing can be packed, especially if one takes into account the wardrobe needs over the final weeks and plans accordingly.

Home offices should be packed with consideration to fulfilling of current commitments. Those items that must be used daily should be left out, but other items, such as old files and lesser-used equipment can be packed.

The kitchen should not be packed until as close to the actual move date as possible. Bathroom items and other personal belongings may have to be packed on the very day of moving.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A current residence being sold before a new residence is available may make it necessary for temporary storage of belongings. Although it may not seem so at the time, this arrangement may prove to be beneficial.

When it is realized that belongings must be stored, the benefit will quickly become obvious. Simply put, it is this: Belongings, especially smaller items, need to be packed before storage. And, once they have been packed for storage, they will not have to be re-packed for moving. Careful consideration of what can be stored and what should be kept available will further enhance this.

Once it has been determined which items can best be stored, there are several options. Storage companies provide space ranging from smaller “room-size” units, perfect for storing boxes and smaller items, to larger warehouse-size spaces that can store the contents of an entire house in one central location.

These spaces are almost always lockable; further, many places have an on-site manager. Thus, security of belongings is usually quite adequate. One will wish to make periodic checks on property, however.

There are also “self-storage” modules that can be rented. Once rented, these storage facilities are delivered to a particular location—either the current residence or the new residence. If the new residence is still unoccupied, however, it will be necessary to determine whether or not the modules can be secured in such a way that the contents will be protected.

For this reason, it may be feasible to have the module delivered to the residence that is being vacated. The units are easily moved from one location to another, and arrangements can most likely be made with the company supplying the module to have the unit moved to the new residence once the occupants are present.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Deciding what needs to be kept and what can be or will be disposed of before packing for a move is essential. This process will reduce the amount of packing and unpacking that must be done.

Careful consideration into what will be moved and what can be disposed of will also reduce moving costs, especially if a professional moving company is being retained. If the process of elimination can be achieved before the moving company representative comes to determine the amount of property to be moved and, subsequently, how much it will cost, this is all the better. One cannot be charged for items that will not be moved.

It is sometimes difficult to decide what must be disposed of; however, the benefit of efficient elimination is seen in the additional space that is gained. There is always room for items that hold sentimental value, as long as good judgement is exercised in determining whether or not something is considered in that category. A family heirloom—definitely; a ten-year-old magazine article—no.

The period before a move is a good time to determine which paper items truly need to be retained, and which ones can be disposed of. Of course, any important documentation should be kept. Ideally, it should have already been separated and securely stored. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a document, especially if it appears to have legal or official status, should be kept, it is probably wise to retain the document.

If time permits, one may wish to dispose of unwanted or unneeded property through a yard or garage sale, or by online auction. This will not only serve to dispose of the items, but will generate additional revenue. Donations to charity are still a very good choice

Popularity: 2% [?]