So since moving to Nashville I’ve moved twice and of course there was the actual move to Nashville. It’s a lot, isn’t it? So I’m going to put it all in this one post. I’ll be posting some products that might be helpful, as well as tips and tricks for the actual move, and a few things I’ve learned from dealing with movers since I’ve used movers for all of my moves.
We’ll start with some tips for moving:
1. Create a moving checklist - this way you will have a idea of all the things you want to get done for your move. Here are some things to consider adding to that list:
1. Schedule your movers or truck rental as early as possible. I’ll add my tips for movers in the next section.
2. About a week before your move make changes to your insurance policies to ensure you are completely covered in your new place from day one. You can have your insurance company schedule the change for your specific move in date on your behalf. And change your address with the post office: www.unitedaddressupdate.com (it takes them about a week to process address changes).
3. In that week before your move transition all your utilities to your new place. They often let you choose a date to cancel or transition service and can schedule it on your behalf so you don’t have to think about it on your moving day. Schedule the appointment for your cable and internet service setup at your new place ahead of time as well. Of course this is essential for those of you who work from home! Schedule a professional cleaning beforehand too (if of course you want to use this kind of service). All these things can be done in advance and will take stress away from the actual move.
4. Another thing I’d recommend is creating a couple of lists for packing - 1. what essentials will you need ON moving day? You’ll want to make sure not to pack these items (or let well meaning friends and family pack them on your behalf). Moving.com has a great sample list - “9 easily overlooked essentials you’ll need on moving day.” Also keep your tools nice and handy as I’m sure you’ll need them. 2. what items are so important or personal that you want to make sure that they travel with you and not in your truck or with the movers? For example, I bought a vintage window with a beautiful painted design on it, and wouldn’t you know it the movers broke it between Minnesota and Tennessee. I had to spend money recreating it and of course it’s not as good. I’ve not let movers touch it since. I always move it myself. If you’re staying in town you may be able to move it to your new place early. Also probably best to keep all personal paperwork with you. And finally, 3. decide which items you will need right away at your new place. Essentials for getting ready, bedding, towels - basically easy access to all those things you need and use everyday. Pack them together in a box labeled something like essentials or open first. This way when you get into your space and you’re completely exhausted you won’t be searching for the basics.
5. The final tip I have for this section is to create a file folder right away for all paperwork associated with your move - your new lease or purchase agreement, paperwork from the movers or moving van rental, utility transfer paperwork, etc. This ensures you have a place to drop it all right away. No losing paperwork and trying to find it later. Also best to find a safe space to stash it at your new place so it doesn’t get lost in the move!
2. Start packing as early as possible, but only pack what you need and want in your new place. Before the move is the time to get rid of whatever you can’t or don’t want to take with you. An old crockpot that doesn’t work well. Goodbye. Want a new coffee table? Now’s the time to get rid of the old one. Don’t forget you can sell things online to make some extra cash. I’ve used Facebook marketplace and gotten rid of things I no longer need or have space for. **Plus you can use the cash from these sales to tip the movers or pay for food on the road and as you get settled. Go through your clothes and decide what you don’t need. Make your kids try on their clothes before the move so you can get rid of things that no longer fit and have them go through their toys with you to see what they no longer need. One final thing - if you’re unsure, pack it, especially electrical cords. It’s easier to get rid of those items once you’re settled if you don’t need them, but it’s an extra step to run out and pick them up if you got rid of one you need. Oftentimes the electrical outlets are going to be in different places and you may need more or less cords to accommodate the new layouts so even take ones you haven’t been using up to this point. Use old toilet paper roles to keep cords from getting tangled during your move.
3. Make a plan for your groceries.
1. In the weeks leading up to your move try to create meal plans that use up as much food as possible so you can move less perishable items.
2. If you’re staying local of course these items can be moved. I recommend moving them before you move the rest of your items, maybe the night before the movers come or you move all the big stuff.
3. If you’re moving far enough away that your food won’t make it consider donating food using https://moveforhunger.org.
4. Also don’t forget the other side of your move. Schedule a grocery delivery for the day you arrive, especially if you have children. These can be setup a few days before your move with all the essentials. Make sure to purchase items that are easy to make for those first few days. Meals that can be microwaved and ready made meals or items are a great idea for all those days of unpacking.
4. Ok next let’s talk packing boxes.
1. Get sturdy boxes - obviously you can buy them, but you can find them at liquor stores, big box stores or grocery stores too - just ask if they have old boxes you can have - the old beer boxes are especially helpful for glassware since they come with dividers or use what you have - plastic bins or baskets, hampers, luggage, etc.
2. Choose the right size box so they don’t get too heavy.
3. Make sure to tape all your boxes very well. You can add handles by cutting an upside down triangle or a V into your box with your utility knife. Just make the point and then you can push it into the box to create a handle for easier carrying.
4. Pack boxes full so things don’t move in transit. You can roll up clothes to fill holes in the boxes. Place heavy items on the bottom of boxes and light items near the top.
5. Pack breakables together, and use towels and blankets in place of bubblewrap, but add bubblewrap to the bottom of boxes to add extra cushioning. Pack your breakable items first to make sure that you can use your best towels and blankets on these items.
6. You can fill empty containers like your crockpot or other pots with small items like spices to use up the space, and put knives in your hot pads to keep them from cutting people.
7. Pack small items together to avoid loosing things in the move.
8. I’m sure this one is obvious but label boxes by room, and don’t mix multiple rooms in boxes. I found labels on Amazon (amazon.com) that would help with this - search for moving labels. And if you want to go one step further you can make a list of the contents in each box. This would be especially helpful in the kitchen where you may need to locate dishes for that first meal in your new place - you could also just write open first on the box so you know where to start.
5. Options for dealing with your hanging clothes.
1. They sell boxes that have hanging rods in them. These would be helpful if you’re moving long distances.
2. Or you could avoid the cost if you’re staying local by using a garbage bag. Simply take sections of your clothes and put them into garbage bags. Pull the bag up around the neck of your hangers and use a rubber band to hold the hangers together and keep the bag over your clothes.
6. Onto dealing with the items that won’t be packed in boxes.
1. Wrap big dressers or armoires with plastic wrap so you can leave the drawers in them and not unpack them. If you’re using movers I’m sure they will do this for you.
2. Also use the plastic wrap to wrap the legs of furniture.
3. Remove lampshades, and wrap bases separately in bubblewrap - this was another loss from my move from Minnesota to Tennessee. They broke ALL the bases of my lamps and I was left with only the shades so I had to get creative.
4. Obviously you’re planning on wrapping mirrors and other items with glass like framed photos in plenty of bubblewrap, but you should also make a large X on the glass with masking tape. This will hold the glass together if they are broken in transit.
5. I always tape mounting hardware to the back of my artwork so I know right where it is when I’m ready to hang it.
6. Cover all furniture with protective pads. You can cover your sofas and chairs with plastic wrap or blankets - the movers will have ones they can use.
7. If you don’t have a big enough box, TVs can be wrapped in a blanket or in shrink wrap and stored upright. They also sell boxes specifically made for your TV.
8. Wrap your mattresses in two fitted sheets to cover both sides or use your mattress pad on one side and an extra sheet on the other side.
7. Taking photos of your electronics setup before you take it apart ensures that you can set it back up quickly when you arrive. The same is true for any furniture you take apart - especially if you won’t be putting it back together right away. I also put all the hardware for my furniture in a plastic bag together so it’s in one spot. And depending on the circumstances I’ve been known to tape the bag straight to a piece of the furniture it goes with. Use painter’s tape so it doesn’t damage your furniture.
8. Use elastic bands to keep doors open - put the rubber band around the handle on one side and then pull it around to the other side of the door twisting it as you do so it covers the side hardware which normally keeps your door closed.
9. Moving van tips: Choose the right size. If the truck is too big items may shift in transit and get damaged. Most companies will help you by asking questions about what kind of space you’re moving, but here are some basic guidelines - studios or small 1 bedrooms = 10’ truck; 1 or 2 bedrooms = 12-14’ truck; 2-3 bedrooms = 16-17’ truck; 3-4 bedrooms = 22-24’ truck; 4+ bedrooms = 26-27’ truck. And don’t forget to ask for one with a ramp!
10. Load your van smartly. Load large items first, starting from the front of the truck and working your way to the back (or door). Place your heaviest items on the bottom and lighter items on top of them. Pack things as close together as you can to reduce shifting while you’re driving.
Ok as promised, tips for using movers:
1. Research your movers thoroughly. You can use this as a reference: www.fmcsa.dot.gov - search for “protect your move.” I had no idea that our government had information on movers like this. So helpful! It also discusses your legal rights if something goes wrong. I wish I had known about this a whole lot sooner! But don’t forget to check online reviews as well. Are there negative reviews? If so, what are they? Do they seem like things that might just happen or are they the result of lazy or incompetent movers? I’ve already shared some of my experience with my move from Minnesota to Tennessee - (I’ve been much more careful with my moves here). I used a company that helped me navigate the many aspects of my move - obviously the move itself, but I also needed to store my items for a month between the move out date and the move in date. I wish I had researched the companies moving me better. I also wish I had written down my contact for the person I organized everything with on the phone and put it somewhere that I would be able to find it once I started packing (like maybe that moving folder you started from my recommendation up there in the very beginning of this post). Make notes about what you discussed and the pricing you were given. If possible ask for an email with all these details so you have it in writing - also something I missed doing and in the end they charged me quite a bit more than my original quote.
2. Here are some of the pricing things I’ve learned along the way too. As I’ve looked for movers here in Tennessee one thing I’ve found is that they all price a bit differently. A lot of them have extra hidden fees. They will tell you their price per hour, but then on top of that they also charge extra for gas(???), stairs, even supplies sometimes. Make sure that you know what’s included and not included. For my moves in Tennessee I’ve been able to find movers who charge a flat hourly rate with no extras. The last time they charged a flat $10 fee for the plastic wrap. In my personal opinion, this is the best way to go. Why am I paying extra for your gas? It should be included. Or stairs. Yea most of us have stairs. I want to know upfront what I’m paying for, and my guess is that you do too, so make sure to get details. Also do they have a minimum amount of time required for your move? My first move was a minimum of three hours and my second was a minimum of two. This means you will pay for this amount of hours even if your move is faster. In my case, the minimum of these two companies was still cheaper than the others with no minimum but extras fees. Ask a million questions friends. It’s your stuff and you deserve to know the answers.
3. Opt for full value replacement coverage. I actually didn't know this was a thing and I’m sure you’ll have to pay extra for it, but it just might be worth it. Especially if you’re making a long move. If someone else will be handling your things for multiple days you just might want to make sure to cover your bases.
4. Pick your moving date strategically if you can. Movers will be more expensive at the beginning/end of the month as most leases run for full months. They will also be more expensive on weekends, especially long weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day, and possibly on holidays - I don’t think most people want to move on a holiday, but sometimes you have little choice in the matter. If you can avoid these, I would highly recommend it.
5. Ask to be the first move of the day. You will not be held up by other moves. The move will start exactly when you want it to. Also your movers will be fresh. Tired movers create more opportunity for mistakes and damaged items.
And finally, once you’ve arrived…
1. Accept the process and take your time. It doesn’t all need to get done today.
2. Unpack your kids first. A move is stressful for everyone and kids are no exception. Getting them settled first is sure to help with some of their stress. Plus depending on age, if you allow them to help design their new room it is sure to help them feel at home more quickly, which in truth will probably help you feel more settled as well.
3. And finally visit the DMV to register for your new documents.
Moving can be very stressful, but if you set yourself up for success with these tips, it is sure to be a smoother process!
XOXO, Kylie