Whether you’re packing to move on your own or having the moving company do it for you, it’s a good idea to create a pre-move inventory. It can make packing and unpacking more efficient and help you understand what you have and what you might need.
If you’re using a moving company, a pre-move inventory can also help you estimate moving costs. One of the most important reasons to create a pre-move inventory is for insurance purposes if something happens to your belongings during packing or moving locations.
There are several ways to create a pre-move inventory. One may work best, or you might find that a combination of these methods works better.
Pen and Paper
Sometimes, the old-fashioned way of doing things is still the best way. You can make one master list, divide the list up by room or packed box, or use another method that works for you. Whether you use a clipboard or a notebook, create categories for items and write a simple description you can use later.
Excel Spreadsheet
If you’d rather have the computer do some of the work, you can use Excel or another type of spreadsheet for your pre-move inventory. Using a spreadsheet, you can filter items, categorize them, and move things around easier than using pen and paper.
Inventory Apps
Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, there’s an app to help you capture your pre-move inventory. An app can categorize your belongings easier, and some will even estimate the weight and size of items to help with estimating moving costs.
Some home inventory apps to consider:
- HouseBook
- Nest Egg
- Sortly
- Magic Home Inventory
- Memento Database
- My Stuff Organizer
- Itemtopia
Picture and Video Inventory
Taking pictures and videos to inventory your furniture and belongings is another option. Some moving companies require a photo or video inventory. It can be easier if you have to claim damages or lost items.
Instead of writing down or capturing your inventory, take pictures or videos of each room and your belongings. If you are taking video, you can use the audio to make voice memos as needed. This can also help with unpacking when you reach your destination.
Tips for Creating Your Pre-Move Inventory
Moving can be overwhelming, whether you’re moving across town or the country. Creating a checklist of tasks leading up to moving day is a great way to ensure you don’t forget something, like notifying a company about your move.
Before your move, creating a home inventory list can help you decide what items you plan to keep and which can be sold, donated, given away, or thrown out. One method you can use is to start in the least used room. Begin with the largest items, usually furniture, and then continue until you’ve reached the smallest things in drawers and on shelves. Continue working until you’ve tackled all the rooms and created a pre-move inventory using your preferred method.
Once items are packed, you can track them using your home inventory list. This will make it easier to know where items go once you get to your new location, and you can check things off as they get unpacked and put away.
Hiring the Pros for Packing and Moving
Freedom Moving in Pasadena, Maryland, can help you with the entire moving process, from creating an inventory to packing to moving to your new home or office space. You can get a free estimate online that walks you through creating a home inventory to use pre-and post-move. We can also come to your home or office to give you a free estimate in person.
At Freedom Moving, our goal is to make your move as stress-free as possible. Call us today to learn about our promise to all our clients and why you should choose Freedom Moving for your packing and moving needs.
