While moving homes can be exciting, it can also be a hectic time in your life.
Given the number of logistics involved in moving, it’s no surprise that many people find the possibility of doing so frightening. However, if you’re organised, it’s completely possible to have an easy, painless moving experience.
You will first need to create a moving house checklist. This will help you stay organised and will ensure that you don’t forget anything essential during the move.Aside from that, you should also look into hiring a moving service. They handle transporting your belongings for you, so you don’t have to figure out how to transport everything you own.
Other steps you should consider taking include:
Disconnecting all utilities in your previous residence and connecting them in your new house.
Redirecting your mail and other regular deliveries.
Ensuring you have all your necessary documents with you, including your passport, birth certificate, drivers license, pet medical records, car registration, and so on.
Organising cleaners for both homes if necessary.
Ensuring your new address and new contact number is updated on all important paperwork.
Ensuring you have the appropriate moving transit insurance.
To ensure a stress-free move, you must start preparing some time before the big day. This will give you enough time to get all the details sorted out, as well as to go over everything and make sure you’ve not forgotten an important step. The first step to starting the move is to create a moving house checklist. The checklist makes the moving process easier, faster, and more efficient as you have a reference point you can constantly check back with. Other steps you should take before you move out include:
Take the opportunity to downsize on the number of things you have. Cutting back can make the move easier and more affordable since you have fewer items to move and can also help you get rid of items you haven’t used in years. This step is especially essential if you will have lesser space after you move because you are moving to a smaller home.
A moving house calendar will help ensure that you’re on schedule for your move. It will also help you set time frames for when each task should be completed by, helping you organise your time better.
The final two weeks before your move are a key part of the process. You’ll have to make sure all the logistics are in place. Some things that you will need to get in place a few weeks before the move include:
Give them time to adjust to the move. Also, get a babysitter in place for the moving day, so you don’t need to worry about your little ones being underfoot while you try to co-ordinate the move.
Double-check that your movers have got the right time, as well as the locations for both your current and new homes. This is especially important if you’re your new home is far away and not just down the road.
This includes making sure you’ve got travel sorted for your pets, as well as for your car if you’re not driving to your new home.
Make sure you’ve got all the little things sorted including returning pending library books, transferring your prescriptions to your new pharmacy and cancelling or transferring your current homeowners' insurance.
When the day of your move arrives, make sure you’re fully prepared. Additionally, ensure that you’re ready to meet any emergency and unexpected situations that may arise. Some things to keep in mind include:
Moving day means comfortable, durable clothes. You should be able to move boxes in them comfortably and be able to spend hours in them without issue.
It’s crucial to check that you have all your valuables and essential items with you. This includes important documents, any jewellery that you may be carrying with you, personal electronics such as your phone and laptop, house keys for your new home, and so on.
Get plenty of photographs of your belongings before your move. This will help you ensure that you have everything when you reach your new home and can also come in handy if you need to submit an insurance claim due to damage caused during the move. Additionally, they can also help serve as visual aids for reassembling furniture, connecting appliances, and even recreating a setup that you prefer.
Create a detailed moving checklist that to refer back to and follow.
Create an inventory list that includes all of your belongings, especially valuables like art and electronics. Detail the condition of each item, and note down any relevant serial numbers.
Make sure you have enough supplies, especially moving boxes for all your items.
Label your packing boxes with either a short description of the contents (books, photo albums, etc.) or by the room they represent (bedroom, kitchen, and so on). Count how many boxes you have for each category so you don’t misplace any.
Mark boxes that contain fragile items with a sticker or other label so that your movers (or you, if you aren’t hiring professional help) will know to be careful with that box.
While moving is undoubtedly time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be challenging and complicated. With careful planning and a moving checklist to refer to, you’ll find that making a successful move is easier than you thought possible.