Ensuring a Stress-Free Seattle Moving Experience

Moving is often a stressful time, whether you’re moving homes, offices or any other type of move.

At the same time, taking the right steps to prepare yourself and your space for an upcoming move can decrease your stress in major ways, helping you check all your boxes and ready yourself for moving day.

At CMS Companies, we’re proud to offer a variety of residential and commercial moving services to clients throughout Seattle, including both local and long-distance moves. Our professional movers help relieve numerous stress areas in the moving process, from packing and unpacking major items to several other areas.

Both with our help and on your own, here are some general tips on limiting your stress and carrying out a productive, effective move.

Pick Professional Movers Early

If you know you’re planning to utilize the services of a moving company, start comparing Seattle moving companies well in advance.

Different movers offer different services for different rates; if you can afford it, enlisting the help of multiple companies is often your best bet. Sketch out a clear budget for yourself and your move ahead of time so you can stay on top of your costs without sacrificing quality or convenience.

The main reason for this: Some of the best moving companies, including the pros at CMS Companies, see their schedules begin to fill up pretty far in advance, so it’s best to be prepared. As we all know, last-minute moves often mean stress overload and diminished quality.

You might like: Top 5 Things to Do to Prepare for a Move — Seattle

Make a Moving Checklist

Another task to get on top of early on in your moving preparation process is creating a list of every major item you intend to move. Be as thorough as possible, and don’t forget to consider fragile or irreplaceable items that may need a bit more special attention during the moving process.

If needed, our team will handle many of these logistics for you, but remember to fill them in on your own beforehand so they can get to work efficiently.

Especially if there are any special circumstances involved, such as certain items that will be moved days or weeks ahead of the rest of your belongings, laying these details out ahead of time is the way to go.

Check out our tips for finding your ideal moving partner in Seattle

Do Some Advanced Decluttering

Throughout your moving preparation process, take whatever opportunities present themselves to oust low-priority items. If you’re not sure whether it’s time to part with something, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I know for certain that I’ll need this item in my new home or office? (Or will it be obsolete?)
2. Does this item truly serve a purpose?

If you can’t find an affirmative answer to either of those questions, you may be better off parting with the item in question. The more clutter-free your space is coming into a move – and going out – the easier it will be for your movers to serve you well.

Make a Packing Plan

As you get closer to the actual moving day and are beginning to pack up your possessions, you’ll need to create a detailed and comprehensive plan for how you intend to go about packing specific spaces.

For example, if we’re talking about your kitchen, do you plan on doing the dishes and putting them in boxes and then reassembling them in your new space? Do you want to pack up all the food at once or take care of it day by day?

These are the sorts of questions you should be asking yourself, and your answers will determine how you should go about packing each space.

As you might imagine, having a plan in place benefits everyone involved: You’ll accomplish most or all of your packing before moving day even arrives, and with our experienced Seattle movers on your team, you won’t need to worry about assembling heavy appliances or demanding items.

Think About Tough Items

There are certain items most professional mover services will not generally handle, such as hazardous or perishable items.

If you plan to move items like these yourself, be sure they are packed securely in boxes that are clearly marked to indicate their contents. Check out our non-allowable list to help you prepare: Prohibited Items.

Deal With Utilities in Advance

One easy way to increase your moving stress is to ignore important steps that need to be taken in a specific order. One example is failing to shut off utilities at your old home or office before you begin the moving process, which can result in you being charged for services you no longer use.

In Seattle, it’s usually best to contact your major utility providers at least two weeks prior to the scheduled move-in date at the new location, which is also a good time to ask about billing procedures and any other questions you may have.

Handle All Paperwork

Whether you’re moving homes, offices or any other type of move, one common stressor is incomplete paperwork.

Be sure to check all required documents – including deeds and titles, leases, mail forwarding services and more – as well as take care of any outstanding payments or fines that may be necessary before moving day arrives.

For more on steps to take to decrease the stress of moving and allow you to carry out an efficient move in Seattle or any nearby location, speak to the professionals at CMS Companies today.

FAQs

How Can I Choose the Right Moving Company for Seattle?

Research local movers with good reviews, proper licensing, and experience in Seattle. Get multiple quotes to compare services and pricing.

What Are Some Tips for Packing Efficiently?

Label boxes by room, use sturdy packing materials, and pack an essentials box for the first few days. Start packing well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

When Is the Best Time to Schedule My Move to Seattle?

Aim for mid-week and mid-month moves to avoid peak times. Consider Seattle’s weather and plan around the rainy season if possible.

How Can I Stay Organized During the Move?

Create a moving checklist, keep important documents handy, and use apps to track tasks. Staying organized helps prevent oversights and reduces stress.

What Should I Do to Prepare My New Home Before Moving In?

Clean the new space, set up utilities, and ensure any necessary repairs are done. Having everything ready makes settling in easier and more comfortable.