Moving

The new year is here and it’s time to start planning for your biggest move of 2021, pulling up your roots and moving to another home. Those who are moving to another apartment or are making long-distance moving plans may feel intimidated by the process, but there’s no need to worry. A little research and some advanced moving tips will have you on your way.

Research the Area You Are Moving Too

You won’t feel so out-of-place in a new neighborhood if you do a little research ahead of the move. Learn the general layout of nearby streets through Google Maps or a similar online map service. You can also look up the locations of essential businesses and places you’ll be visiting, such as:

  • Schools
  • Work
  • Grocery Stores
  • Utility Company Offices
  • Parks

Set Up Utilities Ahead of Time

Speaking of the utilities, there’s no reason to spend those first few days sitting in the dark and taking cold showers. You can call the local utility companies before the move and get signed up for your utility service ahead of time. Even if they can’t start service until after you are at the residence, you’ll be able to get the paperwork out of the way and give them your move-in date. Utilities to get started before the move include:

  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Cable/Internet
  • Phone

Don’t forget to call your insurance providers and inform them you’ll be moving and living in a new area. They use your home residence when calculating insurance coverage, particularly renter’s insurance and car insurance.

Save Time with Creative Packing

Packing takes a lot of time when doing it alone. If you aren’t planning to hire professional movers, consider these tips to make things go a bit faster:

  • Leave your clothes in the dresser drawers. Just wrap them in plastic wrap to secure when moving.
  • Keep clothing on the hangers. Just fold over and place in boxes or suitcases.
  • Use your pots and pans to hold small kitchen utensils, potholders, or towels.
  • Take photos of the wire connections on the backs of your computers and televisions before disassembling them.
  • Pack a first day box with all of the essentials for the first few days in your new home.

Donate, Donate, Donate

Long-distance moving costs can get quite high when you are moving a lot of times because movers calculate expenses by weight. Keep your load light and you’ll pay less for that move. So, consider going through your things and culling things you don’t need or can buy at your destination. This can include:

  • Old Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Unused Electronics
  • Food
  • Bikes/Outdoor Equipment

Leave It to the Professionals

Above all, turn to a moving company to take the stress off during your relocation. 495 Movers Inc. has spent more than a decade providing swift, organized moving and storage services for our customers. As an independent mover, we can provide a customized services and in-depth support for you and your family.

Give us a call to set up a no-obligation moving consultation in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. You can also fill out our online form to quickly request a free cost estimate for your move.