Things to Remember When Planning for Your Move

Like many complex projects, moving to a new apartment can be a lot more manageable if you do some planning first. Here are some tips on what to keep in mind as you plan your next move.

What’s changed since your last move?

You may be expecting this move to go much like the last one — but if you’ve acquired a few more possessions in the meantime, it might take that much longer. If you’ve got a pet, you’ll need to factor in keeping the pet occupied and comfortable during the move, and getting him or her used to the new apartment. Or you might find this move easier, if, for example, your new apartment is in a community with storage facilities that your previous place lacked.

What’s your moving budget?

If your moving budget is small, and you’ll be relying on friends’ help and driving the moving truck yourself, then moving is probably going to take more time than if you’re able to hire professional helpers.

Do you have to move anything not already at your current location?

That would include new furniture you’re buying, renting, or borrowing, or anything that’s held in storage for you, either off-site or in storage space at your current community. Retrieving these items will add time and extra trips to your moving timeline.

What shape do you have to leave your current place in?If you’re leaving an apartment, don’t forget to build in time (or money, if you’re commissioning a cleaner) to clean up the apartment enough to get your security deposit back. You may also need to schedule a walkthrough with your soon-to-be-ex-landlord.

What needs to be done at the new place?

See if the layout of the new apartment community will mean you need extra help when moving in. If your apartment is very far from the elevator or stairs, renting a dolly can make moving your heavy items much easier and speed up your move.

The best time to start planning your move is as soon you decide to move, or at least as soon as you’ve signed the lease at your new place and given notice at your old place.

A couple hours’ worth of planning before you’re up against the moving deadline

can help make the apartment move easier later on.