Tips for Those Moving to Edmonton

Posted by on Wednesday, April 10th, 2019 at 1:31pm.

How to Move to a New Edmonton HomeMoving day is very exciting! Even though your home looks like a maze or boxes, trash and unpacked items, it's exciting to know you're on your way to a new place. When moving to Edmonton, there are a few things you should consider, as you pack, to ensure the transition goes smoothly.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Best Practices When Moving to a New Home

Moving can be a hassle, especially if you're coming from another city. If you're planning to move to Edmonton, you need to make sure you have the right plan in place. Relocating your family and your belonging is very important. Here are some tips to help make the move easier.

Handling Important Documents

It's inevitable, something will get lost in the move. You don't want that something to be an important document. Make sure to pack birth certificates, passports and other important documents in a secure location, preferably a safe.

Anything from medical records to pet's vaccines need to be packed in a place where you won't have to worry about losing the documents. You may even want to take pictures of these documents and store them on your USB drive or on your computer. This will protect you in the event of losing one of the documents.

Movers

If you've hired movers, make sure you don't sign any paperwork until all the boxes are secured and accounted for. The more organized you are, the smoother it will go for everybody involved. Properly label each box with the room you want it to arrive in at the new home. This will help your movers put the boxes in the right place.

Once you arrive, take note of any damaged items. This will ensure you're not paying for something you shouldn't.

Clear the Home of the Kids and Pets

Pets and kids can get in the way of movers and make it harder to pack before you leave. It's much easier to get everything ready to go, if you have somebody watch the kids and the pets. This will help to ensure the emotions of your children don't get in the way, either.

Effective Packing Strategies

It's not a secret, moving is stressful. Most of the time, we don't want to move, but if we have to or need to it doesn't have to be so stressful. There are plenty of things you can do to make it easier. Here are some of the most important moving and packing tips to help you.

Colour Code Boxes

When you arrive, it will be easier to take boxes with a specific colour dot or colour of writing on them to the right room. This is better than just writing "books" or "kitchen" on the box. You will be able to put the box in the right place and easily have things ready to be unpacked.

Pack Essentials Last

You want to actually pack your overnight bags and boxes first, but put them into your car or truck last. This will make them easily accessible if you are staying overnight or think you may need a few items when you first arrive at your new home.

Pack a Storage Unit First

If you have things in storage, clear the unit out first. This can all go into the moving truck before you load everything from your home. You can actually start packing some of these items weeks in advance and have it all ready to be loaded when moving day comes.

Purge throughout the Process

As you pack, you can get rid of things you don't need or want anymore. Make trips to the local thrift store when you have a car full of things you want to get rid of. You may find out that you don't have as much to take with you as you thought.

Moving provides an opportunity to go through everything you own. This is a great time to get rid of things you don't need or use any longer. Whether you hold a garage sale or you give things to charity, you can eliminate some of the unnecessary clutter from your life when you move. This is especially true if the new home is smaller than the old one.

Use Plenty of Tape

There is nothing worse than carrying a box of items and the bottom breaks. Make sure you buy and use plenty of moving tape when you pack your boxes. It's also a good idea to keep the boxes from becoming too heavy so the tape will hold.

Organization

Making your move less stressful requires organization. From labeling the boxes to packing things in an organized manner, you will be glad you did when you arrive and begin unpacking. Make sure each box is labeled for the room it belongs to and what is actually in the box. When you arrive at your new home, you will be able to move the boxes into the right rooms, which will make the entire process easier.

Light Boxes are Better

When you're packing, you don't want to fall into the habit of shoving everything you can into each box. Plan each box accordingly and try to keep them light enough that you can easily carry them. This makes it easier to move all the boxes when you arrive and keeps the boxes from busting open during transit. Not only is this a good moving tip, but also a safety tip.

How to Move Specialty Items from One Home to Another

Everyone has special items in their home. Perhaps your grandmother cherished that special painting that now hangs over your fireplace. Maybe you have a piano that is a couple generations old. The fact is, the items are full of sentimental value and could even be irreplaceable. So what do you do when you need to move them from one house to another?

It is a good idea to hire professional movers to help you move these prized items, but if that is not an option for you, follow these tips to protect your valuable items.

Paintings, Pictures and Other Framed Art

Use palette wrap and wrap the painting securely. Using cardboard pads that are a little larger than the painting, create a box around the painting by placing the cardboard on the front and back of the painting. Fold over and tape the excess to enclose the painting. Wrap bubble wrap around the cardboard and place the painting in a larger box that leaves a couple inches of clearance on all sides. Be sure to write the contents and “fragile” on the outside box.

Pianos

Lay down some wood planks in the moving truck so that the piano sits level. Wrap the keyboard lid in bubble wrap to keep it closed or lock it, if possible. Cover the piano in blankets and then wrap it completely in bubble wrap. Always lift the piano by its body and not its legs. Use the dolly to wheel the piano onto the truck, keeping it upright at all times. Be sure to secure the piano so it cannot move in the truck.

There are many other items that require special care when moving, so it is best to leave items such as these to professionals who have experience packing and moving them. If you decide not to, do follow these tips and take good care of your items to avoid disaster.

How to Prepare for a Long Distance Move

Moving is exhausting regardless of if you are moving across the country or if you are moving down the street. A long distance move, however, adds a whole new layer of difficulty. Moving to a new city, state, or even country can be overwhelming. Everything is new.

Before you could drive to the grocery store without really having to think about where you are going. Suddenly, you do not know anyone and you have no idea where anything is. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for a long distance move.

Set Yourself a Budget

Moving a long distance is going to get very expensive very quickly if you do not budget and plan ahead. You need to give yourself a limit of how much money the move is allowed to cost you and make sure you stick to it. Otherwise, you will find yourself stopping to eat and get snacks during the drive way more than you can afford to.

Organisation is Key

Keep lists and schedules handy during the move. If you are not a very organised person, you should find someone who is to help you get organised. This is not something you want to be casual and "go with the flow" about.

You Need to Recruit Help

Packing and moving long distance is not something you are going to be able to do with any help, so there is no use thinking you can. You need to plan ahead and know who you are going to ask to lend a hand. Recruiting help might require spending a little extra money, but it is better than trying to move long distance on your own.

Moving is a team effort regardless of how short or far you are going. Prepare yourself for everything going right and everything going wrong. You do not want to give yourself the opportunity to be caught off guard if something goes wrong.

Plan Your Edmonton Move Today

Use these tips to help you with your move to Edmonton and it will go much smoother.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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