Make Your Spring Move a Breeze with These Free and Low-Cost Moving Tips

Spring is a popular time for home buying and the resulting move that comes along with it. Although the winter weather we’ve had in the Triangle this week doesn’t make it feel too much like spring is coming soon, it’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re planning a spring move, read through these tips now and get to work early to make quick work of your next big move.

Spring Clean – Six Weeks Out: Before you pack a single thing for your move, clean up and clean out what you can first. Linen/hall closets, bedroom closets, attics, pantries, outdoor storage units and garages – in you’re being honest, they could probably all use a good purging. Trash what’s become unusable, donate what you no longer need that is still in good to great condition, and neatly put away the things you plan to take to your next home with you.

Keep an Eye out for Sales on Things You’ll Need to Buy – Four Weeks Out: Start watching for sales of Rubbermaid (and the like) storage containers at retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, etc. These not only make packing for a move easy, but are still useful for outdoor and attic storage once you’ve moved into your new digs. Buy them once for less than $10 each, keep them for life.

Get Quotes From Movers – Four to Three Weeks Out: If you’re considering hiring a moving company, now is the time to start getting quotes. Be sure to have all costs included in the quote, including any fees outside of labor like truck rental, packaging materials, travel costs, etc.

Collect Boxes & Moving Supplies – Three Weeks Out: Thanks to sites like Craigslist and Freecycle, one of the things you shouldn’t have to budget for if you plan accordingly is boxes. Businesses regularly allow pick-up of free boxes (ABC stores here in NC!) and many residents offer up boxes from recent moves rather than sending them out for trash and recycling. Spending money on packing peanuts and other materials also isn’t necessary if you consider what can pull double-duty in your move: dish towels, bedding, etc. all make for great buffer material between breakable items and the best part is you won’t have to send them to a landfill after unpacking.

Make An Inventory – Two Weeks Out: Will you need to rent a moving truck? Put it on the list. Got a friend who will let you borrow their truck — and maybe help lift those heavy items? Call to ask for their help early. Thinking about what pieces of furniture and which boxes will go in each room? Write it down now and label boxes you’ve already begun to pack.

Take It One Day at a Time – One Week Out: Who wants to spend the entire weekend before their move packing up the entire house or apartment? Nix the evening commitments and spend an hour or two each evening the week before your planned move-in date packing up one room at a time.

Those are my tips for making your next move as painless as possible. Got your own tips? Share them in the comments below – I can’t wait to read them!