Your moving day survival kit

Even the most organized people can find moving day challenging. There’s always so much going on; so many things to think of. The key is to think of them well ahead of time so you’re prepared.

For example, June 30th is the busiest moving day of the year. If you are planning to move on that day, it is time to book your mover now.

After many thousands of moves, Two Men and a Truck - Canada created guidelines for our customers to help them make any moving day as stress-free as possible. We call it assembling a “Survival Kit,” and it really does help with the last few hours you spend at the place you’re leaving, as well as the first day in your new digs.

One approach that works well is to empty a closet a couple weeks before the move and place items you know you will need on moving day into that space. It’s great to leave your current place looking good, so cleaning supplies are a must, and you don’t want to be hunting around for them. You’ll want a broom, dustpan, mop, your vacuum, some sort of all-purpose cleaner and cleaning rags and towels. Put cleaning items and towels in a large bucket or plastic bin with a lid to keep them separate from your other stuff.

In your new place, you will want to have toilet tissue for each bathroom, along with hand soap, hand towels, an all-purpose cleaner and cleaning towels. Remember easy-to-serve snacks, water bottles, a first-aid kit, facial tissues and toys such as colouring books and crayons for the little ones. In fact, their favourite stuffed animal or other toy can help ease the stress of moving for them. Encourage them to carry a small bag each packed with things that will help to make their new house feel like ‘home.’

A few basic kitchen items will be handy too, such as dish detergent, a sponge, plastic garbage bags, paper towels, paper plates and cups, a kettle and maybe a cooler. Pet food and dishes should go into the survival kit as well. Remember a note pad, pen, scissors and pertinent phone numbers you may need including utilities companies (for both ends of the move), family members, real estate agent, lawyer, cable company, etc.

How about some basic tools like pliers, a screwdriver, utility knife and blades, tape measure, hammer, masking tape, flashlight and batteries.

Think about your first 24 hours in your new place. You’ll need bed linens, towels, bath/shower soap, a bath mat, alarm clock, change of clothes for each family member, phones and chargers, prescription and other medications, important papers, cheque books and cash.

Your list may vary a bit; everyone is different. Be sure, however, that your survival items are packed into the moving van last, or even better, transported in your vehicle with you. When you arrive at your new place, you eliminate the worry of finding these critical items.

Everything goes better in a move when you think ahead, plan ahead and pack ahead for every contingency. You want to do more than survive your move – you want to thrive in your new home from day one!