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What Is Important To Consider Before Moving Homes: A Checklist

Moving into a new home can be as exciting as it is overwhelming. Here's a checklist to consider before you make the leap.

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What Is Important To Consider Before Moving Homes: A Checklist

In this article:

A Series of Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding to Move

  • What is important to me and my family about the new area we are considering?
  • Do I have the financial resources to move now?
  • Why am I considering moving? What is the true reason behind it?
  • What is important to me in a moving company? Or do I plan to make the move alone?
  • What locations should I start considering for my move?
  • What types of homes are a good fit for my family?
  • What season or timing makes sense both logistically and financially for me to move?
  • How will moving affect me and my family socially?
  • What is the schooling like in the area I am considering moving?
  • Is the timing right for me and my family?
  • Will my kids' schedules be negatively impacted by moving now?
  • How will I best plan out this move to be efficient?

Factors to think about before the move

  • Budget: Choosing and sticking to your moving budget is one of the most critical factors to a successful move. I recommend allocating specific funds for expenses you will incur such as moving company fees, packing supplies, transportation, and other related costs. Don’t forget to include a margin of error.
  • Timeline: Write down an agreed upon timeline for your move, including important dates such as moving day (stay flexible to save), packing schedule, and any deadlines for notifying schools, doctors, utilities and other things.
  • Packing Supplies: Get your packing supplies together ahead of time. Cartons, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, towels, sheets, and markers. Try to be mindful not to waste.
  • Declutter: Declutter your home as much as possible ahead of time and get rid of any items you don't really need. Sort belongings into categories such as keep, donate, sell, or discard. Have a garage sale and online sale to make some money back to put towards the move.
  • Furry Friends: Make arrangements for transporting pets to your new home. This may include scheduling a vet check up, getting all the necessary paperwork, and ensuring that your pet is comfortable during the move. Plan ahead if possible to take your pet to the new home to get them comfortable with the new surroundings.
  • Travel Plans: If you're moving long-distance or cross state, make travel arrangements such as hotels and attractions for your family. Book flights, hotels, rental cars, car transport for your personal car.
  • Change of Address: Update your address with the post office. Let your work office, banks, credit card companies, insurance, family, and any other organizations know so that you won’t miss anything important. This step is critical before moving over the utilities. 
  • Utilities: Once the change of address is complete, contact utility providers to schedule the disconnect at your current home and reconnection at your new home. This goes for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable services bills.
  • Moving Company: Head to the moving marketplace on iMoving. Choose a reputable moving company that fits your budget and meets your needs. You can choose from a variety of extra services and book as you see fit. You will receive a bind quote from our site.
  • Important Paperwork: Get all your important documents such as id, financial records, medical papers, pet vet records, and school records together and keep them in one place. 
  • Insurance: Review your insurance policies and ensure that your belongings are adequately covered during the move. Consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary. Many of the iMoving vendors offer basic and premium insurance offerings.
  • Key Exchange: Coordinate key exchange with the new homeowners or landlords. Ensure that you have access to both your current and new homes during the moving process.
  • Essentials Bag: Pack an essentials kit with all important items such as medications, toiletries, snacks, bedding for the new home, a change of clothes and shoes, water, first aid supplies, and important documents. Keep this kit easily accessible during the move and in the car ready to go.

Things to consider post-move

  • Deep Clean: Make sure to scrub down those walls, windows and nooks and crannies before putting any items into your new home. This is the best shot you will ever have at a deep clean so don’t blow it!
  • Unpacking: Start unpacking and organizing belongings in your new home as soon as you possibly can. Have the big items installed and set up such as closets and electronics in the kitchen so you will be able to really unpack the bigger boxes which are usually clothes and kitchen items. Start with essential items and gradually work your way through each room unpacking what you’ll need first. Room by room have the right boxes waiting in the corner ready to go.
  • Settling In: Take time to explore your new neighborhood and community with your family and pets. Get to know your neighbors, find local fun spots, and familiarize yourself with nearby parks. Go for morning walks to take breaks from packing and try to feel at home. Keep up your usual routine as much as possible.
  • Safety: Make sure that your new home is safe by checking door and window locks, installing smoke detectors and verifying the current ones, and familiarizing yourself with emergency evacuation routes where applicable. Make sure to change the locks on the front door when you first move in.
  • New Services: Set up new services such as internet, cable, and utilities. Compare providers and choose plans that best fit your needs and budget. Ask around what the best vendors are for you area as one phone service might have better coverage in your new area than others and the same goes for strong internet.
  • Healthcare and Doctors: Find the best new healthcare providers such as doctors, dentists, and specialists in your area for your needs. Ask neighbors for their recommendations. Transfer your medical records to their office and schedule a consultation so that when you need their services they already have all your info.
  • Community: Get to know your new neighbors and community options. Try and be involved in meetings to see the new options and opportunities you have in your neighborhood.

FAQ

Start with a personalized inventory list to understand the items you have and their quality stage. From there you should be able to estimate how many drawers of smaller items and similar things will require their own cartons. Your move is able to bring you a first load of movers and you can always request more later or buy them on your own at your local hardware store.

If you are looking to save a buck or two, the winter months especially mid week, and midday are the cheapest time to move. Most people move in the summer in order for their kids to start the academic year off and also prefer not to miss a day or work. You can potentially save hundreds of dollars by changing your schedule.

Every time you finish packing up another box or room, take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments. Acknowledging the small milestones helps you reach the bigger ones. This will keep you motivated and boost family morale. Finishing up packing a room and cleaning it out is a bigger task than usual. Reward yourself and your family.

First things first, you’ll need all the items out and packed up. Don’t even try cleaning room by room as you pack or you’ll end up exhausting yourself and cleaning the same place multiple times. Things get dirty from boxes and tape. Embrace it and once fully packed up, stack your cartons in a central place that allows you to Dyson and mop all the floors. Wipe down common surfaces such as countertops and the insides of drawers. You can always hire a cleaning crew post-move if you don’t have time and energy.

Honesty is the most important quality trait a mover should have. No matter the pricing differences or reviews, nothing is more important than honesty and transparency. Feel confident that iMoving put honesty as first and foremost important. 

Wrapping things up

All in all, moving comes with many benefits and exciting new beginnings. If you follow this checklist and consider all parts you will be moving consciously. If you have asked yourself all the questions, considering the pre and post moving checklist and gone through everything your family needs there should be no room or reason left for stressing out. iMoving wishes you all the best for your upcoming move!

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