Move Management Archives

How Pro Organizers help with Move Management

July 8, 2019 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Many people ask me how to organize move management. This is a great question. Many resources are available for moving, but an organizer can help you specifically based on your needs and schedule. Of course, there are a lot of variables like local or long distance, corporate relocation or DIY, remodel with move, downsizing, and possible storage needs. It can get complicated, but below, I share some basics of how we POs can help with various moving challenges!

Why Pro Organize Move Management?

A big part of what an Organizer does to help with moving is called “Move Management” in our industry. The steps below break down the process. Organizing move management can help at any stage, from researching moving companies, purging, and setting deadlines to helping with packing, move day coordination, unpacking, and organizing the new home.

Start with the end date!!

The most important thing to keep an eye on is the end date. Work backward from there. Get your move scheduled ASAP, or at least have an idea of when the move is happening. Six weeks or six months is going to make a big difference! If you know who you will use, book your moving date asap (you can change it later if needed).

Don’t underestimate how much work moving is! One of the biggest mistakes I see when it comes to moving is people underestimating the time it takes to prepare. It is a much more manageable process when we break it down with the deadline in mind.

Do your Research!

Research and decide on your moving company or method of transporting items. Will you be packing items yourself, having a moving company pack everything, or something in between?

Book your movers about one month ahead if you have not already! Keep in mind that summer is peak season so plan ahead.

It’s never too soon to start purging.

If you have many items go through and are downsizing a great deal, get started purging.

Purge in categories (ex., Clothing, Books, Holiday decor, memorabilia, linens, furniture, etc.). Start sorting items one category at a time. Work large to small, starting with items like furniture and ending with easy items like linens and toiletries. An organizer can help you decide whether donating, selling, or giving away items is best. Use sticky notes and a notepad to identify and tag items to get rid of. This will help you keep track of larger pieces that will not be making the move.

Set aside a short-to-long-term “staging” area (e.g., a garage or spare room) for sorting and temporarily storing items to get rid of. This is also an area to keep packing supplies like tape, bubble wrap, paper, etc. Start gathering supplies to keep in this area so you can pack as needed.

Make arrangements for weekly pick up or drop off of donations (again, something an organizer can do for you).

Create an inventory “notebook” or file.

As you pack boxes, label them with the room they will go to, box number, and general contents on your inventory sheet. Also, keep track of special items or valuables on this list. Keep this notebook in your staging area and on hand as move day approaches.

Pack up personals,

Say farewell (for awhile) to photos and memorabilia, especially if your home is being staged for sale. Work with your real estate agent, organizer or stager to determine the appropriate amount of “accessorizing” for your home’s size and market.

Plan for a soft landing!

Book your unpacking crew (either with the moving company or your professional organizer).

Did you know that unpacking services do not include putting items away? They will only place items on horizontal surfaces, which can be a big annoyance! Coordinate with your mover and organizer to get you settled in ASAP!

DIY Packing tips

Pack by category and by room. Be sure each room and category is ready to be packed in a way that will make the most sense when unpacking.

The last items to be packed should be the first items to be unpacked. Be sure you know where items like sheets, towels, and frequently used household items (e.g., coffee pot, cleaning supplies, paper plates, or a few essential dishes) are.

You should pack these items in your luggage: toiletries, clothing, small valuables, medications, food items, and important papers you want to carry to your new home on a moving day.

Need Pro Organizing move management?

If all of the above just feels overwhelming, Pro Organizers is here to help! Contact us to learn more about how we can best use our skills to make your move a breeze.

Hire an organizer for move-day coordination. They can meet your movers as they pack the contents of your old home and check to make sure items are properly labeled and identified so they can be placed in your new home.

Hire an organizer for 1-2 days of unpacking service. We will set up your essential rooms for your first night in your new home. We can meet the moving crew on either or both ends. Upon arrival, we coordinate box placement to ensure they will not impede household use. We can immediately begin unpacking essential rooms like bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, and the kitchen.

Have a restful first night in your new home!

Moving can be stressful but with planning, prioritizing and help from an organizer, it can be a breeze and a lot of fun settling into a new home!

If you’re planning a move and feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss more specifically how I can assist and organize move management!

Moving Advice for Gracious Living

May 22, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize Leave a Comment

My dear friend Celeste has a lovely blog filled with an assortment of observations to enhance your modern life! She was kind enough to allow me to share her pearls of wisdom and Moving Advice for Gracious Living here with you…

From the desk of Celeste B.
Moving? A friend of my acquaintance is a master at it. She has undertaken and supervised 5 moves in 6 years in New York City as well as many others during her adult lifetime, including a recent one to the coast of Maine, of all places!
Anyhoo, I have managed to glean some very helpful tips from her as to how to maintain sanity and equilibrium in general during the process, without excessive medications. She also advises to save cocktail time until the end of the packing workday which I feel is entirely sensible given the chances for mishaps. Of course if you can afford to have your movers wrap, box and load all your worldly goods then this will not pertain to you and you may as well not upset your routine happy hour in any way.

The truck rental and movers have scads of boxes and material of all kinds. Bite the bullet and pay for them for a couple of reasons: the boxes are uniform in shape, they are in new condition, they are available in one place and they can be returned if not used.

If you must scavenge boxes elsewhere, be choosy about their condition. Set up a temporary area in every room for wrapping and boxing, preferably on a table of convenient height with good lighting. Gather your supplies: pens, stickers, wrapping paper and legal pad. That last is paramount. Make a list. Number every box (see above) and make a fairly detailed list of the contents of each box. If that sounds like a lot of work, I can only say that it will be worth it when you are trying to find the toaster and coffee maker among the jumble of everything. When you plainly number boxes, write it on at least four of the six sides, otherwise you will certainly be looking at stacks of boxes with a number only on top. You will be able to assign arrival rooms to boxes by number at any time if you haven’t stickered them with a color code scheme for the movers. And Ladies, protect your hands from the drying effect of wrapping paper by wearing gloves. That paper draws all the moisture from your skin!
Don’t fill a box beyond its limit and be mindful of weight. Using another box won’t hurt a thing and will safeguard against possible tragedies. Books are a good example. Just because a box will hold them all does not mean it is appropriate, that’s why there are mover-designated book boxes which are about the size of a liquor box, a perfect restraint against overloading. Use your blankets, towels and pillows to cushion items. Use that sticky paper tape to seal boxes, not the flimsy plastic type better used for mailing. Don’t be shy about sealing the bottom with two strips of tape.

Don’t feel that everything must be boxed. Movers deal with oddly shaped items all the time, but do wrap them if they are vulnerable.
Let us not forget that we have too much stuff in general and that de-accessioning as much as you can will allow you to be less of a slave to possessions. Grandmother wisely reminded me that the Latin word for possessions is impedimenta. Find a good consignment
shop and breathe easy.
Smooches,
Celeste

Your Moving Guide to Uproot With Ease

May 16, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Moving can be one of the most exciting events in your life. New city (or just a new zipcode), new terrain, new people – for many the perfect way to hit reset on life. But that free spirit mentality only lasts so long once confronted with the realities of moving. Then comes the stressors of a new job, finding a place to live, new social circles, not to mention the move itself. Moving is considered one of the top stress activities in life but with this quick guide we hope to help make moving a breeze.

Are you flying, driving, shipping or towing your belongings? As the to-do’s pile up, the dollar signs follow, but armed with the right tips you can avoid some unforeseen hiccups on the road.

Uproot with Ease, Your Guide to Make Moving a Breeze

Location, Location, Location
– Moving on a whim? Do your research. How does the cost of living compare? Job market? Weather? These characteristics will all factor into your overall happiness post-move.
– No car? Check out the new city’s walkability score and how effective their public transit systems are first.
– Yes car? If the climate is different where you are headed you may need to make some adjustments to your vehicle such as all-season or snow tires. It is also worth taking note of parking. While many cities may offer street parking, some may require you pay for a garage.
– Weather change? While your instinct may be to layer up for cold weather or pare down for warmer climates ahead of time, it may be worth it to wait. Unless your are headed from 80 and sunny to 10 and snowy, scope out what residents are actually wearing. That born and bred neighbor will likely be able to give you better advice than a weather forecast.

The Long Haul
– Driving? Plan your route, and a backup, ahead of time. If your travel time amounts to multiple days pinpoint where you would like to stop and stay. Try to avoid big cities during heavy traffic times and trade off drivers if possible. Also remember, it’s a road trip! Maybe you can check out some landmarks or the largest ball of yarn en route!
– Towing? Consider your options. There are many different moving services providers today including U-Haul, Budget, etc. Companies offer multiple sizes in vehicles from minivans to mac trucks, but check to see if your nearest location offers the size you have in mind, and if they allow you to drop off the vehicle at a sister location.
– Shipping? When you consider the cost of a rental, gas, and hotel stays for some moves, shipping your belongings may make more sense. Companies like Pods and U-Haul offer such services which can include storage and the option of them packing the unit for you.

New Digs
– Renting? If Craigslist is your go-to consider additional sources like Trulia, Apartments.com, as well as local realty companies. Many real estate companies include lists of available properties, but call and find out if there are others soon to be available that are not showing on the site. Also inquire as to whether maintenance is performed between tenants, what is expected in terms of personal maintenance, can Fido come, and what may or may not be included in the rent price, i.e. electric, water, etc.
– Brand new? Explore the different neighborhoods, preferably during a trip pre-move. Does the social scene cater to young adults or established families? How convenient are things like laundry, groceries, etc?
– Downsizing? Do a purge before the move. Donate any clothing, kitchenwares, furniture that either won’t fit or won’t belong. Chances are you will be doing another overhaul post-move.

Getting Social
– Exercise? Join a local yoga studio or fitness club. Running and cycling meet ups are not only a great way to meet people, but also to explore your new home. Use the MINDBODY App or head over to the local recreation center to find activities near you.
– Networking? Whether it’s through a social-based platform like Meetup or a local “young professionals” group, there are a number of online sources to network in a social or business setting. Two personal favorites are Meet My Dog and Supper Club.
– Lend a hand? Volunteering will not only give you all those positive feels, but getting out in the community will help you learn more about the city and its residents. Not sure where to go? Volunteer Match can help with that.

Most importantly, keep an open mind. Living in a new place gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and this great, big world we live in. Don’t let the burden of packing and hauling and unpacking cast a shadow over the new people you will meet and experiences you will have. Plan ahead and take the plunge!

Moving Monday Unpacked In A Day

September 1, 2014 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects

I’m honoring this holiday by not laboring myself, how about you? I was on the road for a last minute business trip last week that took me over 1000 miles in 3.5 days! Since I love to share projects I’ve completed, today I’m share photos (Before & After’s!) of a Quick Moving Monday Unpacked In A Day job I did about 2 weeks ago. I love how satisfying unpack jobs are, either working with the client or on my own I get to “Play House” and help them get settled into their new home!

This was a 1 person corporate executive relocation and I unpacked this 2 BR/2BA apartment in one long day. This was a tight fit and the client was told she would have a 3 BR but only a 2BR was available for now…

When I arrived the boxes were placed in the general rooms they belonged in but you just never know what you are getting into and so I always feel a mix of excitement and anxiety (not stressed and worried-just that sense of the total unknown) as I get started on a job like this…it was a tight fit to begin with.

The project went like this…

Above and Below::open plan Living Room and Kitchen/Dining area were full of boxes. This is where I started, getting the larger items and boxes out of the way first.

Everything was unpacked, lamps and accessories placed and boxes broken down/removed.

The Master Bedroom was a very tight fit with the over sized furniture (king bed set) but with ample closet and storage space all non-essentials were moved out and the room now feels bright, cheerful and relaxing.

The guest room went from awkward to comfy and cozy. I re-arranged furniture so the chair and an additional piece would fit, unpacked and made up the bed.

Kitchen, from empty cabinets to thoughtfully arranged and easy to access items in the “zone” they will be used.

I was super pleased with the results but more importantly, so was the client. Here’s what she had to say when she arrived home that night…”I just went by the apartment and you are amazing! When I got there I was completely blown away. Before you came I just wanted to cry, but after you left I felt at home. I can not believe you found a way to get all that furniture to fit and the back bedroom looks awesome. I think you have done a fantastic job in such a short time. I can’t thank you enough.”.-Terri H. (Charleston, SC 2014)

It’s always my pleasure to do my job and leave my clients feeling happy! If you ever need help with a move, keep in mind my unpacking services might just give you some peace of mind in an otherwise hectic situation!

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