Don’t Forget To Do These 10 Things Before You Move
Preparing for a move can get really overwhelming, and there are all sorts of things that we need to keep track of. Where are things going? Who is going to be involved in the move? And how can we be sure that it all goes the way that it should?
Before you start loading up those moving boxes, here’s a list of some of the things that many people end up forgetting as they get ready for moving day.
1. Deal with utilities at both locations
Many people think about utilities at the last minute, which can make it difficult for you to move in or move out. Schedule your utilities to turn off the day after you move out, and turn the utilities on at your new home for the day before you move in.
2. Start getting rid of items while packing
Don’t just pack everything that you have in your house. Now is the time to sort out what you want to keep, what you want to give away, and what you want to throw away. It’ll save you a lot of headaches and you could end up saving cash on your move because you are moving fewer items.
3. Compare mover costs
Don’t just settle on the first moving company that you come across. Your best bet is to take a little bit of extra time to go online and see what you’ve got available. When all is said and done, you’ll save some cash because you actually compared costs.
4. Make an inventory list
Do you even know what you’re packing? Be sure that you put together as complete of an inventory list as you are able to while you’re picking up items. You can even write on the outside of the boxes (or the labels) so that you can keep track of where things ended up.
5. Change your address at the post office
Put in a change of address form as soon as you know your new home address. You can put a date when it goes into effect (list it as 2-3 days before your move-in date is scheduled). That way, the post office will start forwarding your mail, and they will do so for up to a year.
6. Call your doctor and change your contact info
Your doctor (and your dentist, and other specialists) should be kept in the loop when it comes to where you’re headed. If you are staying semi-locally, you may just need to provide them with info, like your new address and any changes in the phone number. If you’re going further away, you may need to put together info related to transferring your records.
7. Have essential paperwork on hand
While you’re packing things up, put together a folder of every bit of paperwork you may need. Any identification that you may need to have on hand, any paperwork for the real estate you’re buying and any health insurance cards should all be in that folder. Put that folder safely with other essentials that you’ve packed to go with you.
8. Take donations where they need to go
Don’t get stuck taking a bunch of donation stuff with you when you start moving! A day or two before your move-out date, take some time to go over to wherever you plan to take your donated items. If you do a garage sale of some sort beforehand, just do it the day after – you can load up your vehicle with the unsold items and items you were donating, and then take it over.
9. Start packing sooner than later
The minute you know that you’re going somewhere, you want to be certain that you start packing ASAP. You always have more stuff than you think you do, so it’s important for you to get the packing process started as soon as you are able to. Even if you’re just sorting stuff, you want to make some sort of progress related to moving day.
10. Clean both houses (if possible)
You want to have both spaces as clean as possible. Not only will it make it easier for you to get things settled, but it will prevent you from having problems with landlords, new homeowners, and whoever else may be involved in the process. On top of that, you’ll feel like the home you’re moving into is actually yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reduce stress while moving?
Take your time. Too many people try to rush things, and it just makes it all so much more stressful than it should be. Also, put together a moving checklist (which should include what we’ve listed here), and be sure to let other people help you if they offer to do so.
What should you do if your new home is too far away to clean ahead of time?
Then it’s going to be one of the first things that you do when you arrive. Have a bag of cleaning supplies with you in your vehicle, and take some time to wipe down counters, clean out the sinks, and clean the toilet. Then, after the movers leave, you can sweep the floors and take care of other tasks that may need to be done.
What do I need to do regarding my job?
It depends on what’s going on with it. Is your job going with you? Then you just need to take some time off and make sure that your taxes show the changes that occurred with your address. If you’re moving to start a job, take some time between your move-in date and your starting date. If you’re leaving a job, give plenty of notice.
Ready With Your Checklist?
If you keep a list of these 10 things with you, or you add them to your overall moving checklist, you’ll be much better off. Overall, you’ll find that it’s that much easier to keep track of what you need to do and how long it could take to get it all accomplished.
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