10 moving hacks that actually work



    On average, everyone that is relocating has to move about five times in their lifetime. That is a whole lot of unpacking and packing cardboard boxes! The amount of time, money, and energy that is put into each individual move really adds up over the years. Now, no one is born with this knowledge; and the more you go through this process, the more you will learn. On the other hand, hiring Centennial Moving Canada can make this process a lot easier for you. However, even if you do hire professional help, there are still some hacks that you can do to make your move even smoother! As we go through the moving hacks that actually work, you will be surprised at how much easier your move can be. More importantly, these hacks will save you time and money!

    Moving hacks that actually work – Getting ready for the move

    The first aspect of your relocation process will mostly consist of you evaluating, decluttering, and getting rid of items that you no longer want or need. This is a process that you should not rush because it can be very therapeutic. At the same time, it will also help you save a lot of money and time on your move! Even if you end up hiring Canadian moving services, you will want to have an idea of everything that you want to take with you. This will help the moving company give you a more accurate quote. Not to mention, it will also make your move a lot smoother because you will have less stuff to pack! So, without further ado, we are going to dedicate a couple of hacks to the preparation process for your move.

    1. Make a list of everything

    The first hack on our list is to make a list! This may seem like an obvious one, but you would be surprised at how many people try to wing it when it comes to their move. By having a list, you will be able to stay organized and know exactly what needs to be done. This will come in handy when packing, allowing you to keep track of everything a lot easier. If you have any questions about the process, you can always ask your province to province movers for further clarification. They will help you sort everything out!

    a person making a list in a notebook to depict one of the moving hacks that actually work

    Having these lists can direct you through the process

    In addition, you should also make a list of everything that you want to take with you. So, before you get in touch with the best cross Canada movers, make sure you have some of the most essential lists, like:

    • Everything that you need to do before the move
    • All the things that you want to take with you
    • A list of items that you need to get rid of
    • A moving budget/expenses list

    2. Weigh in your options

    Should you do this all on your own, or should you rely on professional moving assistance? Although both of these have their own unique set of pros and cons, it really comes down to what you are most comfortable with. If you have a lot of heavy furniture or valuable items, then you might want to consider hiring long distance movers Canada. On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget or only have a few things to move, then doing it on your own may be the best option. In reality, it all comes down to your comfort zone! Generally speaking, this choice can make a lot of difference in the outcome of your move. Especially if you are relocating long distance! You will need to think it through way before you start relocating.

    3. Set a budget for your move

    This will help you keep track of your expenses and make sure that you do not overspend. If you are hiring professional help, then this will also give you a better idea of how much you should be expecting to pay. On the other hand, if you are planning on doing this all on your own; then setting a budget will help ensure that you do not overspend on moving supplies.

    a notepad, a calculator and a stack of money on a white table depicting budgeting for a relocation

    One of the moving hacks that actually work is to get a moving estimate; as they can greatly improve the budgeting accuracy

    When constructing a moving budget, you will want to include things like moving supply costs, the cost of hiring professional help (if you are planning on doing so), and food and lodging (if you are relocating long distance). Make sure to account for extra services, such as hiring one of the car shipping companies Canada has to offer. Of course, you should also have a bit of a buffer in your budget in case of any unexpected expenses. Relocations are expensive, so it is always better to be safe than sorry!

    Moving hacks that actually work – Tackling the packing process

    After you carefully prepare for the relocation process, you will need to gather all the packing supplies you will need for the move. This can be a daunting task in and of itself, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. The packing process is one of the most time-consuming and stressful aspects of moving. Hence, it would be wise to devote enough attention, time, and resources to it. Now, when packing, you will most likely encounter a wide variety of items, each of which will require a different packing approach. Because each item requires a different approach and material, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything. However, don’t worry – we’re here to help. We will provide you with a list of packing hacks that will make your life much easier.

    4. Separate your items into three categories: Donate/Sell/Discard

    Of course, you will want to declutter your home before you embark on your move. This will not only make the packing and moving process much easier, but it will also save you money. After all, the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper the move will be. When decluttering your home, you should separate your belongings into three categories; donate, sell, or discard.

    • Items that you no longer use, but are still in good condition, can be useful to the misfortunate.
    • Items that you no longer need and are not in good condition should be thrown away.
    • Things that are still in good condition and have some value can be sold.
    a woman packing clothes into cardboard boxes

    Moving hacks that actually work all the time include decluttering your household before packing

    Organizing a garage sale is the easiest and most convenient way to make money for your move. Another way to sell your items is to list them online.

    5. Use the right packing supplies

    Packing properly is essential to ensuring that your belongings arrive at your new home safely. Be sure to use the right packing supplies for each of your items. For example, you would not want to use newspaper to pack your china because the ink could rub off and damage the dishes. Namely, some of the essential items you will want to have include various size boxes, packing paper and tape, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, small ropes, labels, and markers. When obtaining them, you will usually have several options. The most common ones include purchasing them directly from the moving company. The other method includes asking around your neighborhood or workplace if anyone has any extra boxes. You can also find them at local liquor and grocery stores. Just be sure to call ahead to confirm that they have some available. Later, you can even reuse them for other purposes!

    6. Create a packing method

    When we are talking about moving hacks that actually work, we cannot go past the importance of having a packing method. Namely, having a packing method, like the room-by-room method, or even better – the KonMari method, will make your packing process much more efficient. By having a packing method, you will know exactly what needs to be packed, and when. Moreover, it will be of great help during the process. It will also help make moving with children a lot easier.

    a woman utilizing one of the moving hacks that actually work, packing using a packing method, while her children play around her

    A room-by-room method is one of the most efficient ways to deal with packing

    In addition, this will allow you to focus solely on a single room at a time in your home. If not, it will at least allow you to focus on a single category of items. Because packing can easily make you forget where you put things, this can save you a lot of time and frustration.

    7. Pack an essentials box

    Once you start packing, it is inevitable that you will come across items that you use on a daily basis. However, you cannot pack these items ahead of time because you will need them until the very last day. This is why it is essential to pack an essentials box. This box should include items such as toiletries, clothing, medications, food, and snacks. You will also want to include things like your phone charger, laptop, and any other items that you cannot live without. By having this box, you will be able to easily access the items you need on a daily basis. More importantly, you can relocate and lodge without any problems. The essential box is one of the essential parts of packing because it will make your move a lot less stressful. Finally, when packing this box, be sure to label it clearly.

    Moving hacks that actually work – The moving day

    The moving day is finally here! All of the hours, days, and weeks spent packing and planning have led to this moment. But even with all of the preparation in the world, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong on moving day itself. Whether it’s forgetting to pack an essential item or dealing with unexpected delays, there are a number of potential problems that can arise. The moving day is especially stressful if you’re not properly prepared for it.

    a couple moving boxes from the house to the car

    The moving day is the final day of the process and will require a lot of focus

    So, if you are moving from Canada to USA, you will, logically, want to know some useful moving hacks that will make your transition a lot easier. The bigger the distance, the sooner you will want to be ready for the move. Generally speaking, you would want to have a day or two before moving day to rest and run through everything one final time.

    8. Wake up early

    One of the more important moving hacks that actually work for moving day is to get an early start on a moving day. Plus, it’s always better to get a head start on the packing and unpacking process. So, set your alarm for an hour or two earlier than usual and make sure that you have a hearty breakfast to help you power through the day. If you are moving from Alberta to Ontario, for instance, you might want to check the traffic conditions beforehand and plan your route accordingly. Moreover, this is a 2,113 km journey that will last nearly 24 hours if you’re driving non-stop, so be sure to factor in rest stops along the way. Waking up early will also give you enough time to do a final sweep of your old place to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything.

    9. Organize the boxes and things you were packing

    Instead of leaving all of the items around the house, organize them. Everything you were packing should be close to the door and easy to grab. This will make the loading process a lot smoother and faster. Plus, it will help you keep track of everything that you have packed. So, if you’re looking for a particular item, you’ll know exactly which box to look in.

    a couple utilizing moving hacks that actually work by going through their belongings one last time before moving out

    Organization is key when moving; Especially during the moving day when everything needs to be smooth

    Moreover, you can also choose to number your boxes. This is a simple but effective way to keep track of your belongings. If something gets lost or damaged in transit, you’ll be able to quickly identify which box it was in. Most importantly, organizing your boxes will help the movers know which items go where. So, if you have fragile items that need to be handled with care, make sure to label the box accordingly.

    10. Prepare for the movers’ arrival

    The last one of our moving hacks that actually work is to prepare for the arrival of your movers. This means having all of the essentials ready, such as snacks and drinks, as well as any packing materials that you might need. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand in case of any accidents. More importantly, make sure you come up with a reward system to motivate the movers (like tips) if they do a good job. It’s also a good idea to have cash on hand in case you need to make any last-minute purchases. Finally, don’t forget to inform your neighbors about the move. This will help them plan for any potential noise or traffic disruptions.

     

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