Moving is never easy. That’s just a fact. Get this – we’re always running advertisements in Google and other search engines so that people who are moving in northern Virginia can easily find us. The most popular ad – by far – tells people, “Get a Hassle Free Move.”

But after over 80 years and four generations of movers in the Craig family, we don’t need statistics to tell us that having a hassle free move is what people want – we know it because we live it every day!

So what should you do if you want to have an easy go of it?

Here are a few tips that will help make your moving day go smoothly…

1. Plan Ahead

Create a Timeline: Start planning your move at least a month in advance. Create a timeline with tasks to be completed each week.
Budget: Set a moving budget to manage expenses like moving supplies, professional movers, and any additional services.

2. Declutter

Sort and Purge: Go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.
Donate or Sell: Donate items to charity or hold a garage sale for items you no longer need.

3. Gather Supplies

Boxes and Packing Materials: Collect boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper.
Labeling Supplies: Get markers and labels to mark boxes with their contents and destination rooms.

4. Organize and Pack

Room by Room: Pack one room at a time to stay organized.
Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to.
Pack Essentials Separately: Pack a separate box or bag with essentials you’ll need immediately after moving (e.g., toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents).

5. Hire Professionals – like Craig Van Lines

Research Movers: Look for reputable moving companies, read reviews, and get quotes.
Book Early: Book your movers well in advance to secure your preferred moving date.

6. Notify Important Parties

Change of Address: Notify the post office, banks, insurance companies, and any subscription services of your new address.
Utilities: Arrange for utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet) to be disconnected at your old home and connected at your new home on the moving day.

7. Take Care of Paperwork

Important Documents: Keep important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records) in a safe, easily accessible place.

8. Prepare Your New Home

Clean and Inspect: If possible, clean your new home and ensure all utilities are working before moving in.
Furniture Layout: Plan the layout of your furniture in the new home to make unpacking easier.

9. Moving Day Tips

Stay Organized: Keep your moving checklist handy and check off tasks as you go.
Supervise Movers: Be available to direct movers and answer any questions.
Final Walkthrough: Do a final walkthrough of your old home to ensure nothing is left behind.

10. Settle In

Unpack Essentials First: Start with the essentials and gradually unpack other items.
Take Your Time: Unpack at a comfortable pace to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

11. Post-Move Tasks

Update Address: Ensure your address is updated with all relevant parties.
Explore Your New Neighborhood: Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings and find local amenities.

Often times, Fred Craig or one of the Craig family members will come to your home to meet with you and prepare an estimate. Moving can be a real hassle – especially in the hustle and bustle of northern Virginia. We’re here to make your move as easy as it can be. Call us when you’re ready!

Fred Craig

Fred C. Craig III is the owner of Craig Van Lines, a Northern Virginia moving company his family has run for more than a century. The business began in 1918 when J.H. Craig hauled cattle, feed, and hay from Virginia’s rural farms to the markets of the DC area. As the region shifted from farmland to residential communities in the 1940s, the family started moving households after hours and on weekends, eventually building the full-service moving company Craig Van Lines is today. Fred carries on that tradition, providing the same quality and care his family has brought to this community for over 100 years.

How To Make Your Move Hassle Free