Moving Tips

Whether it’s your first time moving into a new house or your seventh, there are a few things you should keep in mind and consider doing before settling in and calling it your new home.

• Handle the basics
  -Get your mail forwarded with USPS, make sure to contact all your current service providers and have the utilities in your old home disconnected the day after you move.
  -Cancel your home phone, cable, internet, and newspaper service (there could be cancellation fees) as well as membership in local clubs or organizations that you can no longer be a part of.
  -Arrange for the water, electricity, and gas at your new home to be running on move-in day. There may be installation charges or deposits in order to get the utilities turned on.
• Get an inspection
  -This step is super important to do after you sign a contract (look at the inspection period for how much time you have) as you can negotiate terms based on what comes up during the inspection. Stay for the inspection and have a list of things you want to be checked. For example, if there is mold in the bathroom, you may be able to negotiate seller assistance or even cancel the contract.
• Set a moving budget

-Create a realistic budget for moving expenses. You can hire professional movers but maybe you could spend that money to buy furniture you’ve been wanting, prioritize.

• Choose a move date

-Consider what time in your life would be the best to move (some factors could be the end of a lease, the start of a new job, etc.). If you can avoid moving during moving in peak season, it may save you some money with moving companies. Peak season is considered May-September, but unpredictable weather could make it riskier to move from October-April. Once a date is decided you can create a moving calendar to schedule some of the other tasks on this list.

• Find a moving company and help

-Decide whether you would like to do the move yourself or hire a moving company. Moving yourself can be risky, be sure to calculate the costs and that the friends/family you ask to help you are reliable! You should also consider the time, safety, efficiency, insurance, etc.
-If you decide to go with a moving company, make sure to get different quotes and read reviews. Getting the best rate is good but dealing with unprofessionalism could be a headache! You could create a spreadsheet to be able to remember all the info you are given from each company as the prices will vary depending on the number of boxes as well.
-You may have some special items such as a piano or firearms that need to be moved by special movers, make sure to take that in to account.
-Learn about the documents you will be receiving from your movers beforehand. Then read the documents from them before signing anything.
-Confirm that your moving company is licensed and insured by verifying their Department of Transportation number (DOT number).

• Take measurements of rooms and furnish your home with items that grow with you

-You want to make sure that your furniture items fit your new home and you can pre plan the way your items will fit. If you need to buy new furniture, you can decide before hand if they will fit the space or if you need to change the items you plan on getting. Don’t purchase items because they are cheaper that don’t match the space, or you aren’t happy with. You want furniture that you will be able to take with you if you plan on moving again or will still suit your family a few years down the line. Spending a little more on these items at first could save you more money in the long run.

• Pack a first day/overnight box

-Anything that you would need for the first 24 hours should go in this box. Toiletries (and towels!), bed sheets, and a change of clothes should be included. It might also be a good idea to include a bed sheet or curtain that you can put up on your bedroom window so you can sleep better your first night.

• Get your self-storage unit

-If you need one, you want to make sure they have one available for you to put your items in!

• Get cash before your move

-Tip your movers!

• Register your vehicle
  -If you are moving out of state you need to get your vehicle registered. Also remember to get your address changed on your license!
• Inspect boxes delivered
• Have lots of water bottles on-hand on moving day!
• Make sure the moving truck has a parking spot
• Bring a door stop on moving day to keep the door open

PACKING

• Purge your possessions
  -This would be a great time to have a garage sale and minimize the number of things you own! We all have those items we have been talking about getting rid of for ages and this would be a good time. Anything that you don’t sell at the garage sale you can rehome to someone who needs it or donate it!
• Make sure to have the right packing materials
  -You may be able to get boxes from your local bookstores, grocery stores, recycling drop-off points, etc. that would otherwise be thrown away! Provide maximum protection to your items – reinforce the boxes, wrap items individually, use packing paper, and don’t leave any empty spaces so the items don’t shift in transit! Use plastic wrap to avoid leaks and vacuum seal your clothing to save space. You can also use towels, linens, and such to provide cushioning for other items.
• Get organized
  -Make sure you know what you have before you put them in boxes. You don’t want to have kitchen items mixed in with the bathroom items since that will prolong the unpacking process.
  -Know what you cannot pack due to the regulations of moving companies
• Label all boxes
  -This makes it easy for the movers to place the boxes in their respective rooms without having to ask you. Try to put it on all sides of the box so they can see it from any angle. Make sure to label any fragile boxes as such. You don’t want a box of books to be crushing your fine china.
  -You can also assign a color to each room and use different colored masking tape to label where it needs to go. On the day of the move, use the colored tape to mark the entrances of each room.
• Place heavy objects in small boxes
  -You don’t want to make a box too heavy to carry or have the box break from the weight!
• Take pictures of electronics before unplugging
  -It may be hard to remember what cables belong to which input when you go to set it up again. By taking a picture you will have a visual to go by that will make it a breeze!
• Make note of valuable items (and what box you packed them in)
  -Try to keep valuable items with you, but there are many reasons why you would need to have the movers take it. Make a note of those items and keep a note to yourself with what box they are in so you can check for them afterwards.
• Pack a little every day
  -Don’t wait until the last minute! You might be more hasty packing boxes and will misplace items along the way. Pack the items you don’t frequently use first. Maybe set a timer and pack for an hour a day so you are not overwhelmed.

AFTER THE MOVE:

• Set up the most essential rooms first
  -A good place to start would be the kitchen. It is usually one of the most complicated rooms to unpack and can become more stressful the more it’s put off.
• Change the locks
  -You don’t know who the previous owners gave copies of the keys to and no one unknown should have access to your home
• Set up a timeframe to be done unpacking
  -It’s easy to procrastinate since there is no real deadline but give yourself maybe two weeks to get it done (depending on your schedule) so you don’t drag it out! Schedule a little time each day just like packing so it does not become overwhelming.
• Check fire protection
• Locate fuse box and main water valve
• Replace air filters
• Set up all the other utilities that were not set up for move-in day
• Connect major appliances
  -Whether you are replacing them or bringing in the ones from your previous home, you don’t want to be left without a fridge for a few days.
• Grocery shop!
  -You should try to eat everything before moving as moving all that food can be a hassle. Now it’s time to restock on food items which can save you some money from eating out!
• Meet your neighbors
  -Now would be a good time to introduce yourself and get to know the neighborhood
• Let people know you moved
  -Tell your friends where you moved so they can come visit or send mail. You can also set up a housewarming part which gives you more of an incentive to unpack!

IF YOU HAVE PETS

• Find somewhere safe for them to go during the move

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN

• Child proof the house
• Find the best school for your child
• Line up a babysitter or set up a play date to keep them safe on moving day

Moving can be overwhelming and there are a lot of things to consider. Hopefully you can use some of these tips to make your move a little easier! Good luck on your journey.