Tips for Managing Your Move

Moving to a new home can be an exciting experience. As many folks know who have recently moved to Louisville from across the county or from the far reaches of the globe – as well as those hose have just moved across town – it’s also a whole lot of work. But don’t let it intimidate you! Yes, it’s a big job, but with the right approach, it can add to the excitement of your new beginning, not take away from it. Following these tips will help you manage moving into your Louisville home. Believe it or not, you’ll be all smiles when the moving truck arrives.

Overdo It on Supplies – There’s a universal law when it comes to moving: You will need way more moving supplies than you think you will. So stock up on boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspapers, colored dots and markers, and when you think you have plenty, go back and get more. This will keep you from having to make trips to the store for these items during the actual move, which slows things down and causes unnecessary frustration.

Plan Ahead – You’re not just moving your belongings from one home to another; you are changing your whole way of living. Too often, people forget to take care of the many, many “life details” that are involved in changing residences. Well in advance of your move, make a list of all the things about your life that will change in some way. Devote a major section of this list to all home-related services that you’ll need, like gas and electric, water, telephone, cable, Internet, etc. Have one column for the date your service will end at the old place and another for the date it will begin at the new one. Then check each one off as the service is transferred. On another section of this list, jot down the names of every company or organization who will need your new address. To help you avoid forgetting some, start your list a few months before the move and have it handy every time you go through the mail. The bills that arrive each day, either by post or via email, will help you remember what to add to your list. The companies that manage your mortgage, car loan, credit cards, cell phone, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, etc. will need to know about your new residence. Also, remember to file your change of address with the post office.

Pack It Up – The actual packing of the boxes may not be tons of fun, but there are ways to do it that will make the whole process much smoother. First and foremost, remember not to pack boxes too full and be careful with heavy objects. Too many people end up trying to lug overfilled boxes out to a waiting truck only to have them break from the excessive weight, which can result in damaged items, lost time and additional stress. Also, don’t just randomly put items into boxes without an organizational strategy. Instead, label and color-code each box so you know exactly where it goes in the new house. For instance, you can write “kitchen” on a box you put dishes in and add a yellow dot. That way, when you’re unpacking, you’ll know that all of the boxes with the yellow dots hold items that will go in your new kitchen cabinets.

Prepare a Day One Box - Let each member of the family pack a box with the things he or she will need on the very first day and night in the new house. Things like sheets for the bed, a towel, necessary toiletries, a lamp, alarm clock, a change of clothes, medicines, etc. will help everyone feel more secure knowing that even if some of their items don’t see the light of day for a while, life will still go on just fine.The actual move may not be the most exciting part of purchasing a new home, but using these techniques will help you expertly manage your move to or within Louisville. A little advanced planning and the use of a couple clever tricks on moving day will get you in your new home quicker so that you can get on to the adventures that await you there.