When preparing for a local move, organization can go a long way to make the move fast and efficient. Moving across town might not be as intense as moving across the country, but you'll still want to get organized as soon as you make the decision to move. Whether you have the luxury of setting your own move date, or have been given a notice before you have to move, here’s how to take full advantage of that time to plan a smooth local move.

DIY or Choose a Moving Company

Don't stall. Whether you decide to move yourself or hire some moving help, calling the rental truck company or the moving company as soon as possible will help get the wheels in motion. Not only will making that call ease your mind about availability, it will help shape the next couple of weeks’ work and help you get a moving budget together.

If you decide to move yourself, talk to the rental truck company about dollies, packing materials and the cost of insurance, as these things often get overlooked when budgeting for a move. Black Tie Moving includes these items in your overall estimate, so that’s one less thing to worry about when you're planning a move. Also, be aware that when you're renting a truck, you have to refill any gas you use during the move. If the truck has a full tank of gas at pick-up, you must completely refill the tank before returning the truck to avoid a fee.

Pack Early

As soon as you've decided on a move date, gather some boxes from local grocery stores and big box electronic stores and get an early start on packing. If you get started packing early, you'll avoid scrambling to find boxes at the last minute, and avoid having to pay for more boxes than needed. Packing up early pulls double duty in that it forces you to decide what you are taking with you and what you’re giving away to charity, and it also allows you time to find specialized packing materials if you need them, such as dish barrels or a flat screen television box. If you choose to hire a moving company, let them know that you need these items as soon as possible.

Of course, you could always call Black Tie Moving at 844-920-2966. We can handle all aspects of your local move!

When you have acquired all of the boxes and packing materials that you need, you may want to keep your items sorted by room. When labeling the boxes, label them with the name of the room of your new house. You may also want to list the items in the box. Make sure your labeling is on the side of the boxes, not the top. This will prevent you having to lift boxes to see what is in the box underneath.

Transfer Utilities

Another way to have less stress on moving day is to call a month in advance to have all of your utilities transferred on the day before you move into your new home. You may have to make separate calls to the electric company, the gas company, the cable company and the telephone company, but making these calls in advance will guarantee that your services are connected at your new home when you move in. At Black Tie Moving, Utility Concierge is a complimentary service included in your moving estimate. Use Utility Concierge to handle service transfers and reconnections for you, so you can focus on other things like work, packing and your family.

Make sure that you also report your change of address to the post office. You can do this online if you have a credit card. The post office uses your credit card information to verify your current address, and take a $1 fee for switching your service. You could also visit a local post office and pick up a change of address form. Fill it out and drop it off at the post office about two weeks before moving day.

Take Measurements

Hopefully, you have a pamphlet that tells you the dimensions of your new home. Whether it’s an apartment or a house, taking measurements of your new home and your furniture can help reduce moving day confusion over where furniture goes. This is especially helpful when other people are doing the heavy lifting, whether they're your friends or from the moving company.

Also, disassemble furniture if you can before moving day. This will make it easier for the movers or your friends to move, and minimize damage to both homes and the furniture itself. Having accurate measurements pulls double duty by letting you know if your items will actually fit where you want them to go, and helping you move your items more efficiently.

Pack an Overnight Bag

After everything has been moved in, you’ll likely be exhausted from the events of the day. Pre-meditate and pack an overnight bag with a pajamas, a dopp kit, a change of clothes, personal items and whatever else you need. The last thing you want to do is riffle through luggage and boxes looking for shower necessities and clothing after having such a big day. Having an overnight bag packed and ready allows you to get a hot shower and a good night's rest before tackling the unpacking process the next day.

A little preparation ahead of time can help facilitate not just an easy move, but a comfortable first evening in your new home. Yes, relocating is a big, daunting task filled with planning and mental, emotional and physical exertion. Following these helpful moving tips will put you ahead of the game, allowing you flexibility and time to manage the aspects of your local move.

With Black Tie Moving, you can choose the services you want as they pertain to your chosen amount of our involvement in your move. For instance, if you want to pack your home yourself, we can provide you a packing kit with everything you need to completely pack your home for the move. Don’t have time to pack? Schedule our packing services and we'll do it for you. You choose the service and our level of involvement in your move. From start to finish, packing to unpacking, we can handle your long distance or local move. Call Black Tie Moving at 844-920-2966 to schedule a consultation.