Moving homes is an eventful affair that requires quite a bit of your time and attention. It’s quite exhausting because you have to look over a lot of things. It can be challenging to find out what your priorities are and what you shouldn’t forget.
If you forget anything, it can be quite a hassle for you moving forward. When you’re moving to a new home, you want to be able to get everything over with and settle into your new home as soon as possible.
On that note, this article can help you by keeping a handle of all of the things you need to check when you’re moving between homes. Check out the list and make sure you cross these tasks off so that you have a smooth transition.
Hire a good mover
The first thing that you need to do when you’re planning on moving is research on great moving companies in your area. You’re going to be working closely with your moving company, so you must get real professionals on the job.
At the same time, your moving company will be dealing with your private items so you want to hire a great moving company that you can trust with your things. You want to be able to have your belongings complete and safe at the end of the moving process.
Make sure that you check that your moving company has insurance as well as the required licenses to operate a moving company. Also, if you can, try and see reviews of previous customers to know how their services are.
Get rid of unwanted items
If you want to reduce the costs of a move, then you might want to consider getting rid of things before you move to a new home. Try and sell your items off that you don’t need or donate some of them so that you bring fewer items with you to the move.
By selling your unwanted items before moving, you can start with a fresh canvas, so try and get rid of everything you don’t need. Another reason why you should consider getting rid of your other unnecessary items is that it will reduce the time you need to devote to packing since you’re getting rid of things anyway.
Pack as early as you can
Speaking of packing, the best course of action for you is to pack as soon as possible. Don’t try and wait until the moving date is closer because you don’t want boxes lying around. Instead, once you’re set on the move, it’s time to start packing.
The day of the move is going to be incredibly hectic and tiring, so you wouldn’t want to spend most of that day packing. Packing your items and packing them well so that they aren’t damaged during the move, takes up a lot of your time.
You won’t regret packing early, and it will make the day of the move a lot less strenuous for you.
Transfer the utilities
Once you’re set on moving to a new home, make sure that your utilities are also aware of the move. That way, you don’t end up without electricity, running water, or access to the Internet in the first week of your move to the new house.
If you’re moving for the first time, then you might forget to do this for yourself, so make sure that you get this settled with your utility providers. Notify them of the new location and make sure that they cut off the utilities at your old home.
Update your address
On that note, you should also remember to update your address everywhere that needs your address. First and foremost though, you should try and get it set up with the USPS so that you’re sure you aren’t missing critical documents or aren’t receiving important mail.
Changing your address with USPS won’t even take up that much time. There’s a Change of Address option on the USPS website, so all you need is to pay a small fee and accomplish whatever instructions or steps are on there.
Of course, you also have to update your address for other things like your credit cards and such, but USPS is an excellent start.
Change the locks
Once you’re finally set up at home, there are a few things you have to start doing first before you rest up and finish everything. First, you need to make sure that you change the locks everywhere. Otherwise, previous tenants may have access to your home.
You want to be able to feel safe in your home, so do make the right arrangements and preparations beforehand so that you can change the locks immediately after the move.
Ideally, you should have finished doing this even before the day of the move. That way, everything is up and running and you won’t have to leave home vulnerable while you’re setting the locks up.
Check the plumbing for leaks
In your new home, you have to check up the house on a lot of things. One of them is any plumbing leaks. A decent home inspector should have taken note of this beforehand, but it’s better to be safe than sorry and check everything yourself anyway.
All you need to do is check the water meter while no one is using any water. Wait a couple of hours before checking again. If there are any changes, then you know you’ve got a leak in your hands.
Setup security
Changing your locks is one part of keeping a safe and private home. The next step is to set up your security measures in place. Contact any reliable security companies to help you set everything up.
It will take longer if the home doesn’t have the right equipment pre-installed. Otherwise, it should be a faster process to set everything up.
Deep clean your new home
Last but not least, before you move into a new home, ideally you should get every room in the house deep cleaned. If the home you bought had tenants before, then the chances are that they left behind some of their dirt.
To indeed start anew, consider getting it deep cleaned before settling in ultimately.
Conclusion
Having a smooth move to your new home requires a bit of effort and extra preparation on your part, but you’ll thank yourself in the end. By doing these must-do things listed above, your move won’t be as much of a hassle as it could have been had you not done the tasks mentioned.
Good luck and may you make plenty of great memories in your new home!
