Ultimate Relocation Guide — With A FREE Relocation Checklist!

What does our Ultimate Relocation Guide include?

Our relocation guide will cover the following topics:

• How to know when or if you should hire a moving company
• Who needs to be notified, what needs to be done with your change of address
• Moving apps to make your relocation easier
• How to properly pack your belongings to ensure their protection

On top of that, our checklist will include things that you’ll need to do weeks before your move, during and after your relocation.

Ready to get started? Let’s jump in!

Your Relocation Budget

While there are some variables that will fluctuate the cost of moving from year to year, there are other factors that are much more predictable. Understand how the following factors will impact your budget on moving day:

• Distance
• Time of year
• Size of your household

Traveling Distance

When moving, think about transportation options. Renting a car can handle family and some belongings, but for a more cost-effective choice, opt for professional movers!

Consider distance for accurate cost estimation with professional movers. Understand that the distance you’re traveling is directly proportionate to the amount of money you’ll spend and do your best to estimate these costs ahead of time with movers or moving truck rental companies.

Time of Year

Your real estate agent probably told you that the time of the year can affect the price your home sells for. You probably didn’t know that the time of the year can also impact the amount of money you’ll spend on moving day.

While it might seem like it would be more expensive to move in the wintertime, this is actually the most affordable time to move! Keep this in mind when budgeting moving costs and creating a moving list, so you don’t request a quote in the winter and get blindsided by a higher quote when you’re ready to relocate in July.

Household Size

The more people you’re moving (or the more items you own), the more expensive it will be to move. While this certainly includes moving furniture, belongings, people, and even pets, it also applies to vehicles and larger belongings, like boats.

In some cases — especially when moving long distances — it may be more profitable to sell heavy furniture, items you no longer want, or those that don’t fit your home’s new layout. This will put extra money in your pocket for buying new furnishings, if needed, and decrease your moving costs. Make note of items you want to sell on your moving list.

How do I know if I should hire professional movers for my relocation?

Deciding whether you need professional help with your move is an important budgeting decision you should make early in the process. A moving company can be a big help during a stressful time. While it can be difficult to figure out which route is more affordable for you, there are several questions you can ask yourself to help make the decision:

• Do I want to drive to my new home?
• Do I have to make more than one trip?
• Do I have the time to manage the moving process?

Here are some moving companies that can help you:

• Two Men and a Truck (Long distance and local moves)
• You Move Me (Local and commercial moves)
• College Hunks Hauling Junk (Long distance and local moves)
• American Van Lines (Long distance and local moves)
• North American Moving Services (International, long distance and local moves)

Money-Saving Tips For Moving

• Rather than spending money on fancy packing materials, wrap cups and breakables in newspaper, towels, and clothing that you’re going to be moving anyway.
• Instead of paying for bulky clothing boxes, wrap trash bags around large bundles of hanging garments for the same effect.
• Try using items around your house to pack smartly and save money.
• If you’ve been considering downsizing, don’t wait until after you move to see what furniture fits. Instead, sell anything you’re unsure you want to bring with you — have a garage sale, list items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or throw out anything that’s no longer usable!

Read on for more tricks on cleaning and organizing your home before a relocation journey.

“If you’re renting, always have a reserve fund set up! You should have at least 3 months worth of rental income put away in an account to help absorb major expenses that will inevitably happen! Having a reserve will make your life much less stressful. It’s never a good idea to rely on January pay to pay your January rent.” — Devon Hicks from TH Realty Inc.

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Cleaning & Organizing Your Stuff Before You Pack

Moving a home is not a sale at a closeout store. In fact, it’s really the opposite. Everything does not have to go (with you)!

No matter how far you’re moving, the more you have to take with you, the more expensive and time consuming it will be. Anyone who has ever had an airline lose a bag knows to put the most vital items in your carry-on luggage. With a move, the same rules apply. Any medicines, important papers, heirlooms, jewelry and anything irreplaceable shouldn’t be left to the moving company. No matter how reputable the company is, mistakes and accidents happen!

Clearing Out Unecessary Items

A couple months before the big moving day, begin the process of deciding what will be making the move. This is the point in the relocation process where you will want to incorporate a moving checklist.

The more you can get rid of, the less you’ll have to pack and the easier it will be to unpack on the other end.

Take time to go through each room, and get rid of the things that haven’t been used in a while. Anything that doesn’t make the cut should get the boot long before you get to your new place — and preferably placed into a Bin There Dump That roll-off dumpster rental!

Stay Organized!

You only have one opportunity to keep things organized and we know this is an immense amount of pressure on you, so you’ll need to find a method that works for you! Whether this organization method is a spreadsheet, whiteboard, series of Post-It notes, choose anything tha will help you to keep track of all the details. You’ll need to know all the dates, materials and important contacts — creating a moving list helps.

Declutter & Take Another Review Of Things Before Packing

Now that you’ve gone through the house once and cleared out the obvious junk, it’s time for a closer look. Walk through your things once again and ask yourself if you really need the item. For example, if you haven’t touched it in the last couple of months, it might be better for it to be in a dumpster!

Free Course: If you have trouble cleaning, you might want to try this free clutter training by Diana Rene that will help you outclean your clutter.
Download our Free Moving Checklist

Researching & Ordering Supplies For Your Relocation

There are a number of variables that lead you to figuring out whether this is a move you can make on your own or if you should hire professionals to help you out. If you do choose to hire professionals, then you should know what you’re getting from your moving company — this includes packing services and supplies!

Make sure to gather the following information about your professional mover:

• Will they be packing for you?
• Do they charge by the amount you’re carrying?
• Do they take credit card or cash only?
• Do they charge by the distance?
• Do they charge both?

Once you’ve decided on a professional moving company, make sure to orfer or find your supplies a couple of weeks before your move. You’ll need the following basic moving supplies:

• Moving boxes
• Packing tape
• Cushioning materials
• Bubble wrap
• Stack of boxes resized
• Plastic tubs or bins

Tips On How To Save Money & Time For Moving Supplies

• Check local grocery stores after delivery day! However, remember that used boxes may lack structural integrity and to invest in quality packing materials when hiring a moving company to safeguard your valuables during the move.
• Discover efficient packing and organizing tips. Optimize space utilization like a game of Tetris, potentially reducing the need for excessive boxes and saving on supplies when working with a moving company.
• Consider using a portable storage container if your new home isn’t ready yet or your temporary place lacks sufficient space! Avoid the hassle of multiple moves by securely storing non-essential items until their final destination is prepared with the assistance of a moving company.
• Rent both a dumpster and a storage pod. When you move, you’ll have stacks of items you’ll want to bring with you, hence the storage pod. At the same time, you’ll also have plenty of things you want to throw out, hence the dumpster rental.

Wondering why you should rent a dumpster during your move? You can save time and energy! Your home can look like a war zone of boxes, tape and loose items. With both a storage container and dumpster rental on your driveway or yard, you can carry all of your items out at once — both trash and keepers. You’ll also be more likely to throw out items you don’t really need by having the dumpster right there, limiting what you have to move into your home.
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Packing Your Things Before You Move

The key to packing is labeling — trust us! The goal is to make the unpacking as simple as possible.

As you go from room to room, make sure each box indicates the room in which its contents will eventually reside. This is a good time to make final decisions on all those things you debated getting rid of but decided to wait on. If it’s not vital or valuable, get rid of it.

Helpful Packing Tips

To keep things organized while you pack, use the following tips:

• Don’t waste time folding up all of your clothes. Leave clothes on their hangers and place several hangers in a large garbage bag. Your clothes will be protected and when you arrive at your new place, just hang them up.
• Instead of wrapping plates in newspaper, place disposable foam plates between each one. Then, pack plates vertically, they’re less likely to break!
• Put your drinking glasses in clean socks for extra padding. You have to pack the socks anyway, put them to work.
• Pack your tool box last, and take it off the moving truck first. You’ll need it to reassemble all of the stuff you had to take apart.
• If you’re taking things apart, keep Ziploc sandwich bags handy. They’re perfect for screws and smaller parts — but again, don’t forget to label them!
• Use towels to wrap and cushion and fragile items. Don’t just pack them in a box.
• Prevent containers with liquid from spilling during your move by removing the cap and placing plastic wrap on the lip of the bottle, then placing the cap back on.
• Keep your mattress safe and clean by putting fitted sheets on both sides before it’s loaded into the moving truck. Then, you simply wash the fitted sheets after you move in!
• Pack the essential items you’ll need first in a clear plastic bin so you can see what’s inside and tell it apart from the mountain of cardboard boxes.
• Label each box with not only what’s inside, but what room it goes into in your new place — this makes unpacking easier!
• Label the sides of each box and not just the tops. This way you’re able to see the writing even if the boxes are stacked.
• Take a snapshot of your electronics and their cords so you can hook them up quickly at your new place.
• Make sure you’ve collected and set aside enough moving boxes for all of your belongings. Again, labeling them is vital!

In what order should I pack for my move?

Deciding where to start packing for your move can be a challenge. If you’ve lived in your current home for years the task is that much harder! The best thing to do is get started in an area where you can build momentum and get in the groove. This might look different for everyone.

If you’re still not sure, here’s where we find it easiest to start!

1. Start in the basement or garage.

By starting in your basement or garage you may find it easier to get going. These are areas we often use for storage or to hide items we’re either not using or not using often. This will give you a chance to develop a packing system and refine it as you go.

2. Then, round up and pack all seasonal items!

Packing seasonal items such as Christmas and Halloween decorations is usually straightforward. This is an easy jump from organizing and packing items in storage.

3. Next, head for the bedrooms and living areas.

Now that you’re on a roll it’s time to head right on over to the bedrooms and get the harder tasks out of the way. Our bedrooms are usually where we store our valuables and sentimental items. Now that you have a packing system in place, it’s the best time to take on these tougher tasks.

4. Load up the kitchen and bathrooms.

Now that you’ve had lots of time to take a breather after the emotionally taxing task of the bedrooms it’s time to take on the kitchen and bathrooms. There may be some sentimental items in the kitchen, but the biggest challenge is usually dealing with the clutter tucked away in the cupboards.

We save these rooms for last since they’re most essential for day-to-day living (e.g. foot and toiletries).
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4 Important Things You Must Do Before You Move

Moving can be a challenge, but it will go a lot easier if you’re prepared for everything to come. It just makes sense to have a plan. With that in mind, here are 4 things you must do before your move:

1. Make Sure Your Move is Insured

While moving insurance may not be required, it’s a good idea to speak with your insurance company. It will protect you from damages that may happen along the way. If your belongings have a long trip before they arrive at your new home it’s even more important. It’s best to put your mind at ease and make sure you have insurance in place.

2. Organize and Consolidate Your Records

Develop a filing system for all important documents and records and pack them securely. It’s best to save room in your own car for these items so you know where they are at all times. You should include birth certificates, passports and ownerships in this box.

3. Learn About Your New Community

Moving to a new neighborhood or community will come with a whole host of challenges. By learning about your new community ahead of time you’ll be able to make an easier transition. It will also make your new house feel like a home from the moment you arrive.

Make Arrangements for Service Shut offs and Transfers

Don’t forget to make sure all of your old services have been scheduled to be shut off or transferred to the new owners well in advance. You’ll also want to make sure all of your services are ready to go in your new home the day you move in. This will include basic utilities as well as modern essentials such as internet and TV subscription services.
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Cleaning, Organizing, & Un-Packing Your New Home

Moving already is a huge job and we know it. As you can see there is so much more than just moving your belongings from one place to another. On top of moving, you’ll have to make sure that the previous tenants of your new home clean and sanitize so that you’re ready to move in — but, are you sure they did a good job?!

Not everyone takes the time and care to clean a place up the way they are supposed to. This is why it is crucial for you to add a deep clean to your moving list. The benefits to cleaning yourself before moving in are that it will be clean, sanitary, and free of any contaminants that the previous tenants may have left behind.

Cleaning Out The Refrigerator

When you clean, we suggest starting with your refrigerator so that you’re able to put away your perishables. Here are some steps to follow:

• Make sure there is no food or anything left in the fridge.
• Take out all of the shelves and drawers.
• Clean shelves and drawers with warm soap and water.
• Make a cleaning solution of one part water to one part vinegar.
• Use the cleaning solution and a clean rag to clean the inside of the fridge.
• Dry the cleaning solution inside the fridge.
• Place the shelves and drawers back.

Once you have tackled the fridge, it is time to work on the rest of the kitchen. We recommend you start up high and work your way down!

Cleaning The Cabinets

Wipe out all cabinets and drawers with a sanitizing cleaner of your choice. Pay special attention to handles that could have lots of germs and bacteria on them.

This step will also give you a chance to get a good idea of where you might store your different dishware and cutlery.

Cleaning The Countertops

While all areas of the kitchen should be cleaned and sanitized, you should spend extra time on the counters. This is where you will be putting your food, plates, and utensils while cooking. It should be extra clean and free of dirt, grime, dust and bacteria.

Cleaning The Bathrooms

The next important room is the room that everybody hates cleaning, the bathroom. A lot of things happen in bathrooms that make it necessary to clean. Mold and mildew can easily grow in a shower and/or bathtub when not cleaned properly. At least touch upon these points when cleaning your bathroom:

• Use a bleach cleaner to scrub the toilet both inside and out.
• Clean the tub and shower while making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies.
• Use Windex or a vinegar solution to clean the mirrors and counters around the sink.

Cleaning The Rest Of The House

Now it’s time to clean the rest of your new space! The kitchens and bathrooms are the hardest to clean and the most important areas to ensure are sanitized. Once those are tackled, you can dust, vacuum and mop the rest of the home before moving your stuff inside. Don’t forget to give a good shining to the inside of windows and a good dusting of any ceiling fans that you might have.

To keep your family safe, a good cleaning is essential to complete before you bring your stuff into your new home. You will be glad you did and feel great about starting with a clean slate.
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Additional, Helpful Relocation Services

There are a few things that you’ll need during your relocation and these are things that you’ll have to book and organize before the move. These are extra services that you may need other than the moving company or service:

• Pet Boarding Services: Most people treat their pets like members of the family but packing, moving, and unpacking can be quite stressful and traumatic and they could be in the way! A new home is going to be a challenge for a pet with the new space. Consider a boarding service for your animal until your new space is ready and really feels like a home to you and your pets.
• A Good Babysitter: We’re definitely not suggesting you ship your children off during the move — although it may be a great time to visit Grandma and Grandpa! It may be worth it to consider hiring someone to mind young children and keep them occupied during the packing and loading phase of the move. It will keep them safe and allow you to focus on the move.
• A Protection Plan: If you’re hiring a moving company to handle your relocation, you should consider some sort of protection plan. Even the most reputable company has accidents and makes mistakes… So you’ll need to investigate. Find out what your moving company’s protection plan covers and, perhaps more importantly, what it doesn’t. Then supplement it with your own insurance or independent protection plan.
• A Referral Service: Unless your move is local and you don’t want to do the research, you might need to find a list of service providers like: doctors, schools, veterinarians, landscapers, snow removal services, mechanics — and the list can go on and on.
• A Cleaning Service: We suggest that you make sure the place you’re leaving is left clean after your stuff is packed up. You may also need a cleaning service for your new place as well or you’re very welcome to tackle it by yourself.

Download our Free Moving Checklist

Special Request: Housewarming Gift Idea

Not sure what you want for your new humble abode? We can make it easy and simple! Well, what would you expect from North America’s leading dumpster rental company… a dumpster rental, of course!

5 reasons family and friends should gift you a dumpster rental!

We have 5 reasons why you would need a dumpster rental for your new home and would be a great housewarming gift from friends and family:

1. You can’t fit all of the stuff into your new home!

We advise you to pack up and move what is really, really necessary. Lugging heavy boxes around can be a big pain. Sometimes, even though you packed all that was necessary, you may be faced with more stuff than you can fit in your new home.

2. The house might still needs work.

When your new home is pretty old, you’ll probably need to work on it before it can fully be your own home. Whether it be remodeling the kitchen, the bathroom, a room here and there or the house is a complete fixer upper, a dumpster will make all of it so much easier!

The carpets could also be hideous and your first order of business could be to get rid of them! Old carpet is heavy and you’ll definitely need a bin with tall full length double doors so you don’t have to wrestle it up over the sides.

The basement might need a little more love than the rest of the house. You could have plans to make it into any room you’d like but you’d definitely need a way to get rid of any waste and debris – a dumpster rental is your solution.
Maybe it’s just a bush out front that you wanted to pull. No matter what you want to trash, our dumpster rentals can hold items like shingles, topsoil, leaves, gravel, concrete, landscaping materials, etc.

3. Boxes, boxes, and more boxes!

You’ve just moved into your new house with a ton of boxes and packing material to go around. You’ll be accumulating and drowning in boxes by the time you’re done unpacking. On top of that, you’ll have some packaging from housewarming gifts!

Rent a dumpster to put all the extra cardboard and organize your new home while you’re at it! Maximize bin space by breaking the boxes down before throwing them in.

4. It’s all part of the package!

Some realtors offer a dumpster rental as part of the deal when a client buys a home. That can be a huge selling point, especially if the house is going to need some work to be done before move-in day. Realtors also rent dumpsters to get homes ready to stage, if it’s good for the realtors, it’s good for you too!

5. The former homeowners left a bunch of junk.

You can’t wait to move into your home and the first thing you see is unwanted junk by the previous homeowners. Obviously, this junk was not expected and not wanted, so a dumpster rental is the way to go.
A nice empty dumpster rental waiting to be filled by the junk that’s occupying the house!
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