Moving can be quite challenging, no matter the reason. You may have any number of reasons for the change: upgrading your space, shifting jobs, shortening your commute, paying less rent or mortgage… There really is no limit to the number of reasons people and businesses move.

But finding a new place, believe it or not, is the easy part! Once you have your mortgage pre-approval, it’s a matter of working with your agent to find the right place, putting in an offer, and signing paperwork. But actually moving? There’s a lot you need to keep track of! From organizing your rooms to picking the right packaging material, let’s look at what is involved when you’re moving to the Atlanta area.

Packing Up

One of the most important stages in a move is organizing your belongings or equipment and getting everything packed up. You need to make sure you have the right materials, like bubble wrap and air packets, the right size boxes, and a good set of labels.

It’s always best to pack sensitive or fragile items first. You can make sure they get plenty of packaging and the sturdiest boxes. Did you know some stores offer specialty packing boxes for things like dishes? These come with built-in dividers to help keep your most fragile items from chipping or cracking by running into each other. It’s much more secure than a layer of soft paper between each plate, though extra bubble wrap is never a bad decision.

Always mark your boxes. Both the standard warnings (fragile, this side up, etc), the room location, and potentially the contents. Getting settled in a new place can be chaotic, more so if you can’t find your essentials or get your new rooms functional. Some movers purchase color-coded labels, while others are happy to write straight on the box— whatever works for you!

There are many approaches to packing: types of items, size of items, etc. Looking at the entirety of your belongings can make the task seem much harder, but breaking it down into manageable pieces can help you get started.

Making a Timeline

You will settle on a closing date with the owners after settling your bid. From there, you will know what day you can move into the house. To keep the chaos to a minimum, start planning and scheduling the steps of your move.

You’ll want to have time to walk through the house and make sure it’s ready before you start bringing your belongings over. Then you need time to move all of your belongings and clean your previous place for its new tenants.

One thing to consider is calling up Atlanta residential movers. Working with a professional moving company can save you a lot of hassle— and gas! Professional movers have lots of experience carrying heavy items, moving furniture safely, and protecting fragile packages. And more often than not, they can move your entire home’s-worth of items in one go.

Not only will they make the process more efficient, but a quality moving service will also protect your new home while moving in your furniture and belongings.

Another option is renting a box truck, but anyone familiar with Atlanta knows how risky that can be, especially during heavy commuter hours.

Watch the Weather

It’s important to know what to expect when you’re moving. Heavy rain can make roads more dangerous and can soak through cardboard boxes. Not to mention tracking water and mud throughout the new and old home! Keep an eye on the weather forecast and take steps to protect yourself and your belongings.

Loading and Unloading

Tarps can help protect your furniture and cardboard boxes from the elements. You can use a tarp to carry something out, unwrap it while it’s in the truck, and use the tarp again. 

You won’t have the hands for an umbrella, so have some rain ponchos or bucket hats available. If it’s sunny instead of raining, ensure everyone stays hydrated and applies the proper amount of sunscreen throughout the day.

Protect Floors

If you’re worried about mud and water, you can take steps to protect your flooring. You can lay down tarps, set up shoe drop-off stations in your entryway, or line walking paths with cardboard and make sure anyone wearing shoes stays on the path. As the cardboard wears down under moisture, you may need to break down more boxes.

Clean as You Go

It can be tempting to get everything packed before you clean, but you may be surprised how many delays you run into. Instead, clean as you pack. If you take all the knick-knacks off of a dresser, stop to dust it and wipe down any attached mirrors. If you just emptied a bookshelf, wipe it down. If you pack by room, clean the floors, blinds, and anything else before you start packing up the next.

This also gives you a break between each tedious task, so packing doesn’t become monotonous.

The same can be said as you’re unpacking. Set out large furniture first, and then try to find a home for everything while you’re unloading boxes instead of taking everything out at once. You may end up moving some things around, but you’ll have an easier time moving around while you set up your new space.