How to Prep Your Home for a Smooth Move: Repairs, Cleaning & Decluttering

While packing makes up a significant part of moving home preparations, there are three essential elements to consider before getting out the bubble wrap and boxes. Carrying out vital repairs, deep cleaning, and finally decluttering not only helps you on the day but also makes someone else’s move flow smoothly, too.

Many people make the mistake of skipping ahead when moving home in the big city. It’s not simply a case of organizing moving and storage in NYC and then putting your feet up. Have you thought of the buyers or renters moving into your old place? Leaving your home in a less-than-desirable condition could result in forfeiting your deposit if you are renting.  

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Creating a Moving Prep Plan

If ever there is a time to plan, this is it. Moving home is one of those major life events, like getting married or having kids, that calls for a solid plan to keep things stress-free. Therefore, your first step should be drawing up a moving prep plan.

A moving prep plan allows you to stay on track and stick to deadlines. It’s very easy to misplace important items during this time, so making a checklist helps you to keep tabs on your precious possessions. Also, if you have a team of helpers or are using professional moving services, your moving prep plan can ensure everyone is on the same page.

Typically, a moving prep plan includes:

• Laying out a budget and timeline
• Tackling home repairs or hiring a handyman
• Decluttering
• Whole-home cleaning
• Booking professional movers
• Disembling furniture
• Packing room by room
• Reserving a box for essentials you’ll need on day one of being in your new place
• Informing utility services of your change of address 

Remember to start early and create a moving prep plan in advance, ideally at least a couple of months beforehand. Should any problems present themselves during the preparation process, then you’ve got some wiggle room. Things like repairs can disrupt your moving timeline, so it’s best to have a bit of extra time to play with

Tackling Essential Repairs Before Moving

You wouldn’t want the hassle of fixing leaky pipes on day one of moving into your new place, would you? So, ensure that you keep karma on your side by leaving your home in the best possible condition you can. Repairs should be tackled before you start cleaning, and this should be at the top of your moving checklist.

We hope this doesn’t happen to you, but sometimes those minor repairs can reveal major problems. This is why repairs should be prioritized early on, so you are not in a state of panic, scrambling to fix things on moving day.

For renters, not bothering to carry out repairs or a quick touch-up with a paintbrush could cost you. If you have paid a deposit on moving in, your landlord will be quick to spot any signs of wear and tear or damage to the property. So, leave it looking as good as new if you plan on seeing your deposit again.

Deep Cleaning Tips

Once the repairs have been handled, next up on your to-do list is cleaning your place from top to bottom. You’ll be surprised at how a deep clean can completely refresh your old home, making it ready for its new inhabitants. 

The best way to start is to clean room by room. Scrubbing tiles, whitening grouting, and removing limescale can transform a tired and grubby-looking bathroom. For the kitchen, focus on degreasing stainless steel fixtures, such as ovens and sinks, to make a sparkling impression.

Cleaning up stains and sweeping up dust ensures your old home is hygienic at handover time for its new owners. You would like the same treatment to be shown to your new place, so make the effort to clean up.

Why Decluttering Matters

Before attempting to pack, shed some dead weight by decluttering. This matters as it could save you time when packing. If you have fewer belongings, then there are fewer boxes to take with you to your new place. It makes sense. 

Apply that Marie Kondo logic. If it sparks joy, then in the moving boxes it goes. If not, consider donating to charity, reselling it to help fund your moving costs, recycling, or throwing it out. 

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Whether you’ve been at your current place for a year or a few decades, you’ll be surprised at how many things you have hoarded. Moving home offers you a chance to change your ways and streamline your life. 

Now that you’ve got the repairs, cleaning, and decluttering sorted, you can move on to packing and finalizing the logistics. From informing utility services about your change of address to booking reputable movers, you can take those final steps to ensure your move goes without a hitch.