Pack
If you have got the money for it and have made an attempt to do a super job of purging, employing professional movers is something to seriously consider. But if you're like some people and are on a bit of a budget and wreslting with sorting through everything to pack, packing yourself could be a sensible choice. Professional packers will pack everything in sight—they're not there to go through your thinks or to judge, packers go in and get the job completed. If something is in their field of vision, it will get wrapped and placed in a box. However, if you foresee packing yourself, get your moving supplies ready – boxes, tape guns and newsprint and start boxing as you purge.
This is a method that performs well for quite a few people, as you can go ahead and put the items you are keeping in one box and be done with it, at the same time you're throwing things out and creating your donate/sell piles. If you start well ahead of moving day and allocate about two hours every day for purging and packing, you should progress enough that you are able to manage the last few days without an anxiety attack.
Start with closets, chests, and cabinets, since that's where many folks accumulate the items they don't even know that they have. Save the attic, basement, and garage for weekends when you've got all hands on-deck--let it be known that old frisbees and tubs of mystery cables only get saved if the owner is there to plead for their survival. Assign a corner of the garage for things you are going to donate; some non-profits will send a truck to pick up your giveaways and if it is all in one area that helps the pick up to go quickly.
If you are completely anxiety-ridden at the notion of sorting through everything in your residence, ponder employing an estate liquidation company. They'll come in, help you purge, and then, they can sell furniture, appliances, toys, whatever you want them to. Things that don’t make the sale cut are donated or thrown away. If you're packing for your move yourself, there are companies you can hire that will come and haul away your junk for a charge, or by the truckload, if you've got a bunch of stuff.
Pay
Paying for move is something that a few people don't take into consideration in the expense of the new house, although it can be as expensive as your closing costs. Unless you have got an employer who is coordinating your move for you, you should be aware what costs you're going to face with a move.
Call and talk with several professional movers to get an idea of what you will be looking at for a full-service move versus one where you pack yourself and have the trucks come load, drive, and unload, and contrast that to what it would be to totally do it yourself and just rent a moving truck. If you decide to do your own packing, check out the price of supplies--boxes, tape, padding, and moving blankets for starters. When you're adding everything up, do not forget the time it will take to do your own packing and loading, and the equipment and expertise you'll need for big or bulky furniture. If you have antiques, a grandfather clock, or a large safe, can you move them without incident--what will your homeowner’s insurance cover in case you break an antique clock? Movers are more expensive, but they are insured, have the proper equipment and knowledge, and are less likely to run into the wall while maneuvering the couch out the door than you.
Moving to a new house and creating a new life is exciting,exhilarating and can be an awesome experience for your entire family. Paying attention to the three P’s of your move – purge, pack and pay -- by moving only the stuff you actually use and love – allotting time for packing for your move -- and budgeting for the process -- will assist in making those high expectations a reality.
