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How to Get Started With Your Move

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Making the decision to move isn't easy. After all, packing up and leaving home for a new and unfamiliar place is one of the most difficult things to go through in your lifetime. Believe it or not, getting started with the planning preceding your move isn't easy either. If you've never moved before, it can be hard to know exactly where and when to start, and it can certainly overwhelm even the most even-keeled people. Read on to learn more about what you can do to get started with your move.

Deciding when to move

Once you decide to move, the first step in planning the move is to determine when you'll be moving. In some circumstances-- like moving for a new job or promotion or an unforeseen event forcing you to relocate on short notice--the eventual moving date may be decided for you. But in most other scenarios, you'll have a choice to make about when you want to move.

Here are some things to consider when deciding when that will be:

  • If you have children, considering moving in between school years. For families who are moving, your child's school schedule may dictate the best time to move. Relocating in the middle of the school year can create added stress for your child. It's common for many families to move during summer vacation so your child won't have to acclimate to new teachers, new classes and new friends.
  • Moving companies tend to charge more during their busier seasons. Adversely, if you want to save money on your move, you're going to have a hard time doing so if you move during the summer. Since the summer is a peak time of business for the moving industry, many moving companies cost a lot more to book during the warm weather months than they would during other off-peak months.
  • Your progress in the search for your new home. Moving is hard to do, but it's even harder when you don't have anywhere to live in your new town. That's why the timeframe of your move will ultimately be dictated by the process of searching for your new home, whether you're choosing to rent or buy, and how quickly you're able to find a place suitable for you.

Planning your moving budget

You can't plan for your move if you don't know how much money you're willing to spend. Sure, everyone would love to hire a full-service moving company to do all of their packing and loading. The big question is whether or not you'll be able to afford it in addition to other expenses that come with moving and buying/renting a new home.

Here are some tips on how to craft a moving budget:

  • Everything adds up. Your packing materials, the moving company you hire, the boxes and the trucks you rent all add up to a pretty hefty sum. It can be easy to lose track of everything and overshoot your budget by paying for things you can't afford.
  • Keep track of your budget as you go. By tracking your budget and setting an allotted amount ahead of time, you will be able to leave just enough money to cover your moving expenses. Keep a running spreadsheet that details all of your planned moving-related expenses and update it as you go along.
  • Spend wisely and always keep your budget in mind. As you go along, you may be required to spend more on certain aspects of your move. For example, if you have an extremely old antique desk that needs to be specially wrapped and protected for the move, it will require extra money for the proper materials. If you plan for this ahead of time, you will be able to better allocate the costs and won't be caught by surprise on moving day.

Booking a moving company

You're going to need at least a few months to and plan out every detail of your move, so you should start your planning as soon as you've made the decision to move. When it comes to finding a moving company, start looking as soon as possible.

Here are some reasons why:

  • Depending on when you move, certain times of the year tend to be much busier for moving companies. They're likely to be booked far in advance, so it's best that you start your search for a mover before you handle anything else, especially if you're planning on moving in the summer.
  • By reserving your moving company as soon as possible, you can be sure that you have a mover that is respected and dependable, rather than one you had to book at the 11th hour because there were no other companies available.
  • The earlier you book a moving company, the better the deal you'll get. The ideal time to book a moving company is at least two months prior to your move. If you book early enough, you'll secure the movers at a more affordable rate.

To get started on your planning as soon as possible and find movers in your area to assist you with your move, simply visit the front page of Movers.com and fill out our free and easy-to-use quote form at the top of the page. You'll then be contacted by up to seven moving companies that will provide you with a no-obligation estimate for your move!

Photo by: Nenetus (Freedigitalphotos.net)

Robert Moreschi  Posted by Robert Moreschi on December 17, 2013

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