Moving a multi-story home is tough enough, so imagine when it’s an estate. Suddenly, you’re staring at multiple rooms often packed full of furniture and decorative items.
What in the world are you supposed to do with all of this stuff? Moreover, how do you simplify the move? Navigating the complexities of an estate move doesn’t need to leave you feeling frustrated and exhausted. There are a few simple steps that can simplify the process and leave you with your sanity intact.
Have a Schedule to Sort Through Everything
Okay, an estate move isn’t exactly one you can do in a few hours or even in a day. You’ll need to be prepared to spend some time going through everything. A solution is to work with an estate auction house. Don’t worry, they’re not going to sell the estate but they can help you sort through everything in the house.
Since estates often mean at least some family heirlooms are involved, it may be a good idea to talk to other family members. Find out if there’s anything they want—remember, the goal is to simplify the move and this means getting rid of some items.
Whatever your family doesn’t want, let the auction house rummage through. They can give you a general idea of what may be an antique and what’s best donated to charity.
Best of all, if you donate some items to charity they’ll probably come and pick them up. This means less stuff for you to move. For the items you don’t want to move, consider letting the auction house put it up for sale. You can make some extra money to help offset the cost of your estate move.
Throw a Packing Party
Since there seems to be a party for just about everything, why not throw a packing one? Get some food and drinks, call your family and friends, and have everyone jump in and lend a hand. Don’t forget to get the packing supplies, otherwise, all you’re doing is throwing a party.
What will you need? You’ll need boxes, packing paper, tape, and markers. If you’re packing up fragile items, reach for some sustainable foam options. Foam isn’t an eco-friendly packing option, but biodegradable alternatives do exist.
Don’t forget to label the boxes by either room or the items each one contains, as this will make unpacking a lot less confusing and frustrating.
Contact a Moving Company
Chances are, you’re going to need professional help for your estate move. If you’re only moving a couple of boxes then you can probably get by without professional help. Don’t wait until the last minute to contact the movers. Most moving companies are booked several weeks in advance, which means they’re not going to be able to fit your estate move into their busy schedules.
If possible, try to skip the busy moving times. These are typically weekends and during the summer. If you can move during the week or any season other than summer, you can reduce your stress levels and survive the process with your sanity still intact.
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