Imagine waking up on the day of your big move without a care in the world. Everything that you had to do is done, and everything you still need to do is under control. When moving into a new house, most people feel stressed and worried about what things they need to do. But moving can actually be much less hectic than you think.
With careful planning and consistent action, you can stay one step ahead of moving stress. Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you should be enjoying your new place, not worrying about the little things. Divide up your tasks for before, during, and after your move so you can relax more and worry less.
Here are a few things to add to your moving to-do list to keep you on the right track:
Before The Move
Here are a few things you’ll need to check off your list before you can start loading boxes:
Arrange old & new utilities
Contact your current utility companies to cancel your service on the appropriate date. For your new home, make sure you change all service to your name, including gas, electric, water, garbage, and sewer.
After you’ve addressed the fundamental utilities, you can set up other services like internet, phone, or cable. Keep in mind internet service providers are often booked up to weeks in advance for new installations. By making an appointment ahead of time, you can be online in your new home without delay.
Set up forwarding mail to new address
Don’t miss any important pieces of mail because of your move. You can easily change your address at your local post office or online. Just submit your current address, new address, and the date that mail forwarding should begin.
Coordinate Insurance
No matter if you’re moving across town or across the country, transporting your belongings across any distance is a risk. If you aren’t working with experienced professionals, your items could be damaged, lost, or even stolen. Make sure you are covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance during the entire course of your move.
At a minimum, your current insurance policy should end the day after you’ve moved out and your new policy should begin the day before you move. A small overlap in coverage will ensure that you are completely covered throughout the move.
Get Moving Supplies
You will probably need more moving supplies than you think. Stock up on boxes, bubble wrap, tape, permanent markers, and other packing materials. Not all boxes are created equal, however, as many boxes from grocery stores or Craigslist ads are used and worn out.
Make sure you get new boxes and quality packing materials to reduce the risk of damage to your belongings. ANC can provide access to high-quality boxes, tape, and packing paper that can do the job right.
Pack First Day & Night Boxes
After a long day of moving, the last thing you want to do is dig through endless boxes to find your pajamas and a toothbrush. Save yourself from future frustration and exhaustion by packing a couple boxes specifically for your first day and night.
Your first night box should contain all the essentials for your first night in your new home. Be sure to include a change of clothes, toiletries, toilet paper, bed linens, and other essentials such. Your first-day box should contain important unpacking materials like screwdrivers, scissors, garbage bags, and cleaning supplies.
Setting aside these boxes in advance will make it much easier to settle in during your first 24 hours.
Day of the Move
Here are a few things you should do on the big day:
Meet with Your Movers
Your professional movers will arrive at your home at the time you have arranged. ANC movers arrive early ready to get straight to work, so you don’t have to worry about a time crunch at all. Moving day can actually be stress-free if you’re working with qualified professionals like ANC.
Plan for Children and Pets
Moving is a big ordeal for the whole family. If you have children or pets, you should consider what they will be doing on moving day. It might be better for children to spend the day with family or friends away from the action. If they are on-site, make sure they have activities to keep them entertained and out of the way of movers.
Inspect the House
Take a walk through your new home and make sure there are no obvious issues. Now is a great time to do a thorough inspection of every nook and cranny before you move in all your things. Familiarize yourself with the location of the circuit breaker box and main water valve. Check to see if your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Also, don’t forget to replace your air filters in the kitchen, bathroom, and HVAC units to prevent future problems.
After The Move
Phew! Congratulations. Pop the champagne and go meet the new neighbors. You deserve a break after all the hard work of moving, but you’re not quite done yet. Most people focus on the move itself and forget about what needs to happen afterwards. Here are a few things you should do after you move into a new place:
Inspect Items for Damage
You should inspect your belongings for any damages right away, especially your most valuable items. It’s possible your possessions may have been damaged in the move due to incorrect packing techniques, faulty packing materials, or inexperienced movers.
If you hire professionals like ANC Movers, we bring our expertise in packing techniques that greatly reduce the risk of damage. We also have access to the best quality boxes and other packing tools and equipment. That means no more weak, used boxes from the grocery store.
Unpack the Essentials
Unpacking after a move can be very overwhelming. It feels like you just packed everything up; the last thing you want to do is unpack it all again! Remember, you don’t have to unpack everything all at once. You can take your time and unpack room by room.
Start with the essentials. You will probably need items for the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom first. From there, you can manage the rest of your unpacking over the next few days, weeks, or even months.
Update Relevant Parties of Your New Address
The post office will only forward mail from your old address for a certain amount of time. Make sure you update friends and family of your new address before your mail forwarding expires. You don’t want to miss those Christmas cards!
Also be sure to update any subscription services, insurance agencies, banks, credit card companies, or other parties of your new contact information. You should also notify the HR department at your job so your records are up to date.
Clean House
An empty house is easy to clean! There’s no furniture in the way, so you can access every corner. You can mop floors, steam-clean carpets, and wash windows without interruption.
Some real estate companies arrange for a professional cleaning before new occupants move in. Other new homeowners choose to hire professional cleaners themselves.
Regardless, moving into a new place can stir up dust and track in mud, so it’s not a bad idea to do some clean-up before you settle in.
Change the Locks
One of the first steps you can take towards securing your home is changing the locks. It’s difficult to say how many keys exist to the current locks, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Arrange to have a locksmith install new locks on every exterior door of your house.
Time To Get Moving
Now that you know what to do, it’s time to get moving! It’s always better to start planning well in advance of your moving day to have more time and less headaches. Start to make lists and map out your game plan over the months and weeks leading up to the big day. As always, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
We’re Here To Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about an upcoming move, ANC Movers is happy to lift the weight off your shoulders (literally!). We’ve been in the moving business for over 15 years, and we’re here to offer our expertise and service to make your life easier.
Even if you only need help with large or fragile items, we offer residential moving packages for any size job. Give us a call today at (360) 992-8702 and we’ll show you how easy moving can be.
Photo credits: z287marc, Anssi Koskinen
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