Best Ways of Planning Local Moving

While moving locally is a lot simpler than moving across the state or across the country, it can still be a very stressful experience. Whatever the reason for the move, whether it is to be in a better school district, to be closer to your job, or to downsize or upgrade your home, planning the move ahead of time will help immensely. There are several tips that will help you with planning your move.

• Changing over utilities, phone and cable - This is something that you should begin doing a few weeks before you move. Contact your gas, water, electric, phone and cable companies and decide on an end date for your current address and the start date for your new address. Make sure that you take note of verification numbers that you receive. Mistakes can happen and you will want to have proof so you do not end up paying someone else's bills.


• Considering hiring professionals - Not only will hiring professional movers take a lot of the work off your hands, but also most moving companies offer their services at an hourly rate. So, you can save money by doing most of the packing yourself and helping the professionals move your belongings into and out of the truck. Make sure to have a lot of bottled water, lunch, and tip money on hand to give the movers.


• Start looking for boxes - If you know you plan to move, it is never too early to start collecting boxes. Ask people you know, as well as local businesses and schools. This will save you a lot of money. Purchasing boxes can be quite expensive. You can also ask friends that are moving before you to save their boxes. This will save them the time of taking the boxes to a recycling center.  


• Pack a little at a time -  Rather than being completely overwhelmed when the week of your big move comes around, pack things here and there during the weeks leading up to moving. Start by packing away things you will not need until after you move. For some rooms, such as guests rooms, you can completely pack them and just leave the boxes in the room until moving day. Consider using paper plates, cups and plastic silverware for a few days so that you can get your kitchen packed up ahead of time.


• Hire a babysitter - On the day of the move, consider hiring a babysitter or asking a friend or family member to watch your children and pets. You can also place your pets in pet carriers somewhere out of the way while you load the moving truck. You do not want to be distracted by kids and pets while trying to move boxes.

The most important part to making a local move easier is to plan ahead. Be sure to have all the details of the move worked out in advance.