Did you know that moving is often considered the third most stressful event in most
people’s lives?

When it comes time to move most people feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks
they need to coordinate.

There are utility company updates, address changes and so many questions:

  • Will the new house require renovations?
  • How much time will I have to move?
  • How will I get the old house cleaned?
  • Who will move me?
  • The list goes on and on.

Our daily schedules of school, work and activities leave very little time to coordinate
the necessary steps that can make your move the least disruptive possible.

Have you ever heard of a Professional Organizer and do you know what they do? The official definition from the Professional Organizers in Canada web site is this:

A professional organizer provides information; products and assistance to help individuals and businesses achieve their specific organizing needs.

But what this translates to in reality is that these organizing professionals
guide, encourage and educate you on how to overcome your organizing challenges by offering support, focus and direction.

  • Professional organizers are excellent listeners, non-judgmental and
    extremely dedicated to their clients. They help you to do more in less time,
    with more energy.
  • A professional organizer offers both consulting as well as hands-on
    organizing services, giving you the skills and tools you need to reduce stress
    and banish that awful feeling of being overwhelmed.
    (As quoted from the POC web site.)
  • A Professional Organizer can assist you in the prioritizing and scheduling of the
    necessary steps. Starting with an initial purge to packing and unpacking at your final destination.

Together we create an action plan for you and execute together! Here is a brief
outline of what we can help you with, in part or as a whole.

  1. Prepare a binder with pockets to keep all of your move and home information in
    one place. Have a calendar and to-do list that you update weekly and as the last few
    weeks draw near, daily.
  2. Purge the contents of your current house room-by-room. Start in the basement
    and then the attic to go through all of the boxes/containers to keep only what you
    want in the new house. When packing, clearly mark each box with the room and
    contents. This simplifies the unpacking process.

    It will be important to schedule this time into your agenda, as it’s easy to put
    aside for another day. Purging can be emotional and doesn’t always go as
    quickly as you might think.

    It’s important to remove the items you purge as soon as possible. Whether
    you’re selling/donating/recycling or disposing, we’ll plan to remove it
    quickly.

  3. What goes where in the new house? Plan ahead by creating your own floor plan
    and placing your furniture on it. Look at the cupboard and closet space and plan
    its function. Have floor plans at each room for the movers so they know where the
    furniture goes if you’re not available.
  4. Book your mover as far in advance as possible! If you’re flexible with your move
    date avoid the first of the month and plan something mid-week. This will allow you
    to receive quotes from more movers and hopefully get the one that best suits your
    needs.
  5. Speak to the utility companies as soon as your move date is confirmed. Make
    a list of which you need to contact and make a date with yourself to do this. Don’t
    leave out the insurance, alarm companies and any other suppliers you have.
  6. On moving day you want to be ready when the movers arrive. Have the personal
    items you want to carry with you already in the car or set aside with «Do Not Move»
    on them. Ensure that everything is packed and the TV’s, PVR’s and telephones are
    unplugged. If you have young children and pets, it’s best if they’re able to stay with
    a friend to eliminate any undue stress on both you and them.

Upon Arrival

When your movers arrive at the new house there will be a few things you’ll want to
have ready for the family that day.

  • The house should have been cleaned before your arrival but have cleaning supplies
    handy so you can put food away in the fridge and cupboards. (I like to bring the
    food in my own car.)
  • Be sure to have bedding clearly marked so the beds can be made once they’re set
    up.

Once you’ve got the beds made, the bathrooms set up with the immediate
necessities and food in the fridge, the rest can start up again tomorrow!

With the assistance of a Professional Organizer, we make a plan and guide you
through the process so that we reduce the chaos, minimize the surprises and make
the third most stressful event in most people’s lives far more pleasant.