The Definitive List of Moving Essentials

Start Your Preparations by Making a List of Moving Essentials You Need for Your New Apartment

What do people need when they are moving? The first essential is a relocation checklist. This list will include everything from the new apartment inventory list to the moving necessities we are talking about here. Now, when making such a checklist, it is necessary to take into account a few things:

• Are you relocating alone or with someone else?
• Are you going to contact a long-distance moving company or do everything by yourself?
• Are you relocating from a bigger to a smaller house or apartment or vice versa?
• What is your relocation budget?

Naturally, you’ll have a special part dedicated to moving out essentials. However, all these issues can affect your moving essentials checklist, and you can’t focus your attention on just one side of relocation.

How Many Days in Advance Should You Start Packing for a Move?

If you ask any reputable cross-country movers to give you some relocation tips on these issues, they’ll tell you that preparations should start at least two months in advance. The actual packing itself should begin at least three weeks before the relocation to another state (although it is possible to organize a last-minute relocation as well). When it comes to relocation necessities, some things need to be prepared as soon as you decide to move, but some can even be packed on the relocation day.

Documents Are the Most Important Essentials for Moving Out

Before you can move to another state, you have to organize all important documents at home and contact all relevant institutions and authorities. Here is a short overview of what are the most important documents:

Packing Supplies and Tools Are Essential for All Relocations

What stuff do you need when moving? Protective relocation materials and tools are extremely important as they prevent things from breaking. Here is the list of the necessary protective supplies:

• Packaging paper for relocation and bubble wrap will be required for all smaller items, especially when preparing fragile objects for transportation.
• Relocation blankets are needed for all sturdier items, especially when relocating furniture and appliances.
• Cardboard boxes are a necessary part of every relocation. However, sometimes a cardboard box is not enough for maximum security (especially when relocating in the rain). In that case, a plastic box is often used instead.
• Labels for boxes are another relocation essential, especially the label “Fragile,” which should be on every box where objects like glassware or electronics are packed.
• Tape and scissors will be needed to apply all materials.

When it comes to tools, we must say that getting the right equipment is an absolute must if you want to avoid injuries during relocation. Here are some of the most basic tools that accompany each relocation:

• Lifting straps are the most convenient and cost-effective tools for lifting heavier objects like furniture.
• Sliders are another inexpensive yet highly effective tools that replace heavy lifting with pushing and pulling.
• Utility dollies are ideal for carrying heavier boxes to the relocation truck.
• Ramps are needed for each and every doorstep in order to preserve stamina.

All these relocation supplies and tools are available in your local home equipment stores. You could even visit your local storage facilities and borrow the tools. Sometimes even free used boxes can be obtained if you are looking to save on relocation costs. However, we must assert that hiring movers from Seattle to California or vice versa, movers from California to Seattle, and getting professional packing services is the best choice as everything needed will be provided by them and packed adequately.

Cleaning Supplies Should Be Part of Your Moving Essentials as Well

One of the biggest relocation mistakes you can commit is not performing a move-out cleaning. Before you start wrapping everything up, every item has to be at least dusted, as some long-distance moving services won’t cover objects if they are too dirty. Once everything has been packed, each room should be thoroughly cleaned, especially if you have rented the place and want your deposit back.

Cleaning supplies are also move-in essentials, and they are important when unpacking after the relocation starts. After all, the new place will most likely require some cleaning, and it is best to take care of that before opening the boxes. But also, if you have used storage services for a longer period of time, it is not a bad idea to clean your home possessions.

A Basic Toolbox and First Aid Kit Are Essential When Relocating

Accidents often happen, especially when relocating heavy furniture and other sturdier home possessions. It might happen that a screw or a nut is loosened, and such minor things can be repaired right on the spot with a basic toolbox. Also, a first aid kit is absolutely necessary, although we hope that there won’t be any need to use it. Still, working with heavy objects has its risks, and you need to be extremely careful. Here is a video that shows what a basic toolbox should look like.

Pack Clothes and Bedding for a Few Days

What goes in an essentials box when moving? You’ll have to pack clothes and bedding for at least a few days, as unpacking will take some time. Therefore, according to the season, leave out some comfortable pieces of clothing. If you can, pack your favorite pillow as well. Adjustment insomnia can be a problem when trying to settle into a new environment, and your comfortable pillow means a lot in that case.

You Need Basic Kitchen and Toilet Equipment While Furnishing Your New Home

What do you need on the first day of the move? Things like toilet paper, toothbrushes, and kitchen utensils seem like things that are automatically included, yet people tend to forget these the most. Forgetting an object such as a simple fork is very easy, but it can create a lot of relocation stress while furnishing is taking place. Therefore, don’t forget about them as it will only bring additional unnecessary expenses.

Be Sure to Pack All Chargers, Batteries, and Cables

Your inventory list will include a lot of electronics, and almost everything will have a charger or something else needed for functioning. Hence, don’t forget to put your phone and laptop chargers in the bag of necessities after you are done browsing “long-distance movers near me.” If you forget them, nothing can be done other than buying new ones, and such items can be costly.

Kids and Pets Require Additional Attention When Relocating

Kids and pets experience much higher levels of relocation anxiety than adults do. It is recommended to pack their favorite items and toys when relocating. Their rooms should also be furnished first once the unpacking starts. People usually ask a cross-country moving company to load their boxes last so that they can be unloaded first. The key is to make them feel at home as quickly as possible.

Under No Circumstances Should You Neglect Yourself When Relocating

What are relocating necessities? What should you not bring when moving? How can I safely ship a car? These and many more questions will start appearing as soon as the preparations start. Relocations are not easy, and you, as an adult, will have to assume responsibility for most of the things. Therefore, know that it is quite easy to neglect yourself. Don’t forget to bring a book or two, install a video game on your laptop, or do something else that will take your mind off relocation.

If You Are Driving, Don’t Forget to Bring Enough Food for the Journey

First of all, know that traveling by car is probably not the ideal choice, as it can be quite costly and exhausting. Nonetheless, it is absolutely possible, and, for avid drivers, it can be a joy to do so. However, don’t forget to bring enough snacks for the journey. This is especially important if you are driving with pets since you might not be able to find pet food along the way. But as a driver, you’ll also require additional sources of energy.

The Vehicle Has to Be Adjusted if You Are Driving With Kids or Pets

If you are relocating with a newborn, a baby seat is a must, and if you are relocating during summer, the temperature will have to be constantly regulated. Pets can be more demanding depending on what animal is in question. Nowadays, for all types of pets, special carriers for traveling can be bought, and usually, such containers provide enough space and security. However, there will be the issue of your pet’s adjustment to the container, so you have to buy this item a month or two before the relocation day.

Here Are Some Additional Tips on What to Have on the Relocation Day

If you are relocating for the first time, it is not strange to feel a certain amount of pressure. But knowing what to do helps a lot, and here are some additional tips for a much more efficient relocation:

Essential Items Make Relocations Much More Efficient and Pleasant

Everything stated in this article should be present in your suitcase. Don’t forget that you are relocating to a different environment, and you probably won’t know where and how to get to certain stores or services if something has been forgotten. Such situations bring much unnecessary stress, and there is no reason to make relocation more difficult than it is supposed to be.