New Year, New Move: Getting Organized During a Holiday Move

Moving during the holidays can be super hectic. Not only will you have holiday events and shopping to manage, you’ll also have to deal with locating a mover, packing up, donating and/or getting rid of all of your stuff in preparation for your upcoming move. On a positive note, moving during this time is a great way to start the new year as you embark on an adventure in your new city and/or town. The main thing is to be super organized and focused as you get through this move and the holidays without being too stressed out. Read on for some more tips to make moving during the holidays effective and organized.

Research your potential movers

As soon as you know about your move, start the process to find a moving company. One of the challenges during this time of year is that many movers might be on vacation or have limited hours. To start the process, reach out to your family and or friends, post on social media or research local movers online. Once you have a list of movers (around five to seven), check their company and rating information on the Better Business Bureau. You should also read reviews, which can help you to cross certain companies off of your list.

Screen your movers

Before you invite anyone into your home, have a phone screen with at least three to five different moving companies. This will give you the opportunity to share more about your upcoming move as well as to learn more about them and their services. During this call, you should be very specific about your move, especially since it will be near the holidays. After your calls, you should have a list of around three to five movers that you would like to invite to your home to receive a moving estimate. Be wary of anyone who gives you a price over the phone, especially if the rate sounds too low. A professional mover should always see your space and your furniture before you receive a rate.

Receive an estimate

When you meet with your potential movers, give them a complete tour of your home and all of your belongings. During this time, keep asking questions about the moving company and continue to share more about your move and what you require. After this, they should be able to provide you with a written estimate, which outlines their costs and services. Be wary of any mover that requires you to pay for their services up front. Some interstate movers, however, might ask for a fee for estimates but it will never be the total cost of your move. Your moving estimate should also be an official document, which includes their address, email, phone number, USDOT number and MC number. Now that you’ve met with a few movers, it’s time to make a choice. Compare the bids and follow up with the movers if anything seems unclear. It’s also a good idea to follow up about your move date since you’ll be relocating close to the holiday season. Once you make your decision, you’ll receive a confirmation on the date and a bill of ladi
g, outlining the details of the move.

Strategize your time

Finding the right mover can be the hardest part of the process, but packing is also up there as something that requires time and organization. Since you’re moving during the holiday season, you’ll have to strategize your packing and your time. With all of the holiday events, concerts and parties, you’re going to have to prioritize and only attend the events that are really important and special for your family. Trying to be everywhere will only wear you down, making the packing process more difficult.

Create a schedule

Since you will likely be juggling work, events and packing, it’s best to write everything down to help you to stay organized and to make sure that you complete all of your tasks leading up to your big move. We suggest creating a timeline that outlines the date you booked your movers to your actual moving day where you can chart the day-to-day progress of everything that you need to do.

Create a packing strategy

Packing can be a pain, whether you do it during a move or not. The main focus should be to cleanse your wardrobe and closet of the things you no longer wear and/or need. With it being the holidays, this can be a great time to purge and donate. Working from room-to-room, assess your stuff by determining if you want to keep, donate or toss it. The keep items should be pieces that you always wear as well as those needed every season, the donate pile of clothes should be in good shape but that you don’t wear or no longer fit you, and the toss pile should be items that are unwearable. It’s best to try to find a textile recycling plant to properly dispose of those items. For the items that you are going to keep, you can start to pack them up. The donation items can go into a separate bag -make sure to properly label them so that they don’t get mixed in with the items that you will be taking with you.

Ask for help

With so much going on, you might need a few friends or family members to help you to get through it. This can be anything from taking your kids to a holiday event or babysitting on the weekend. You may also need help from a trusted friend to pack or run out to get any last minute moving supplies.

Have fun

While moving during the holidays is tricky, it’s also a great way to start fresh as you kick-off the new year in your new home or apartment. We hope these tips will help you to streamline the process and to efficiently move with ease.