Moving Day is something people both look forward to and dread. The exciting part involves finally getting to make your move and start your life in a new location. The dreaded part is doing all the work necessary to make that happen.

The good news is there are many ways to make a move less stressful. Even if you can’t do them all, just putting some of these following ideas into action will help. They apply whether you are moving across the city, across the state, or doing a long-distance move from Chicago to Florida or Los Angeles to Dallas.

Tips to Make Moving Day Go Smoothly

Any one of these ideas can help alleviate Moving Day stress. Taken together, they may help you have the most relaxed Moving Day you have ever experienced.

Have a Plan

You know the saying: A goal without a plan is just a wish. Planning out your move on paper before you do it, in reality, helps you understand what you need to do, and when. It also helps you discover areas where you can save time and money, as well as where you will need to hire professional help.

Don’t Procrastinate

Waiting until the last week or two before you start your move is a recipe for disaster. When making that moving plan, make sure you do it well in advance (six weeks to a couple of months, at least). The key to getting through a big project such as moving is to break it down into smaller tasks. For example, take each room of the house one at a time, scheduling time to declutter the room, pack it up and clean it.

Don’t Drive Your Car

One of the biggest hassles during a move is trying to figure out how to get all the family cars to your new home, especially if you’re moving to a faraway place. Both Texas and Florida have been popular destinations in the past decade, and both are long drives if you are coming from California, Chicago, or the Northeast. A professional company can handle your household move auto transport needs, saving you the trouble, cost, and potential dangers of making a long drive on your own. 

Hire The Right Professionals

For both moving and auto transportation, avoid companies that do not have experience, generally positive reviews online, and the proper licensing to handle the job. Look for companies with excellent customer service and who offer all the services you need to complete your move successfully.

Declutter and Organize

Once you have picked reliable professionals for your auto transport and moving services, the next big step falls on you. Armed with your plan, you must now put it into action and start decluttering your home. It’s one of the hardest things to accomplish for any homeowner, but it’s the key to a successful move. Find items you can throw out, give away to friends and family, donate to a charity or offer in a yard sale. 

Turn Off and Set Up

It’s easy to get caught up in the work of moving and forget to contact the places you need to in order to turn off services in your current home and set up new ones in your future residence. They include the following.

  • Turning off and setting up electric service, internet service, cable, and water.
  • Notifying insurance companies, banks, and credit card companies of your change in address.
  • Filing a change of address form with the post office to get mail forwarded to you
  • Sending a change of address to business contacts (especially important if you run your own small business)

Scout Ahead

This is another important part of planning ahead. Rather than spend weeks lost in your new location, scout ahead to find the most convenient grocery store, gas station, post office, car wash, library, dry cleaner, park, gym, yoga studio, etc. near your new home.

While a move is never without some level of stress, these tips can help things go much smoother. Start early, plan ahead and take advantage of all the helpful professional services available. You’ll be glad you did when Moving Day arrives.