How To Save Money On Your Move By Mapping Our Your Floor Plan
One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving is assuming everything will seamlessly make the transition from old abode to new. We can’t tell you the number of times customers have given our movers pieces of furniture that will simply not fit in their floor plan. While our movers appreciate the freebies, it’s far better to know ahead of time, and plan. Here are some tips for mapping out your new living areas, so you can save money by not moving furniture that won’t fit.
What You Need
If you have children, or if you work in the design field, you may already have everything you need. If it’s been a while since anyone in your household has taken geometry, though, you might need to take a trip to the office supply store. Be sure you have:
- A tape measure
- A notepad
- A ruler
- Graph paper
- A pencil (or two)
- A protractor
- Cellophane tape
Measure
Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to measure. It’s easiest with two people. Measure your furniture and the floor space of your new home. Measure from wall to wall, both length and width. Jot down the measurements in your notepad.
Figure Out Your Scale
Next, you’ll need to figure out the scale. At minimum, we recommend a foot per square on your graph paper, but it’s best to adjust it to room size, with maybe an inch in each of the margins. The bigger the scale, the more detail you can add. If, for example, one inch on your paper equals one foot, you can include things like wall outlets and floor vents.
Draw the Room
Now that you know the scale, draw the room (or even your entire home), including permanent fixtures, doors, and windows. Here is an example:
Add Your Furniture
Now, it’s time to add your furniture. It’s easiest, if on another piece of paper, you separately draw each piece of furniture to the same scale, and cut them out. Move them around on your new home’s floor plan to ensure everything fits. Think about your lifestyle. Do you need seating in front of the TV, or the fireplace, or do you need a reading nook? Will that chaise lounge fit in your master bedroom?
Not only will drawing a floor plan prevent you from having to pay to move that giant sectional, just to find out it won’t fit in your new home, but, you’ll also know exactly where to tell the movers to put things. You’d be amazed at how much money you can save.
If you don’t have the time or desire to do it by hand, here’s a list of apps that will help you out.