10 Tips for an Easier Move
As exciting as it is to move into a new home, not many people look forward to the actual moving day. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving can be stressful. Here are some helpful hints from expert movers to make the big day a little more bearable.
1. Schedule your move well ahead of time. Moving companies get booked up weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. Make sure they know ahead of time if you have any very large or heavy items to move. The last thing you want is for the movers to show up with a truck that isn’t big enough or without enough people to move your belongings safely.
2. Schedule services. Don’t forget to have services transferred or started at your new home. Some services you can set up well in advance, but others may be required to take care only days out from closing on your new home. These may include:
Power
Water
Trash service
Internet/TV/Phone
Gas
Lawn service
Pool service
Security system monitoring
3. Have your new home professionally cleaned. If your seller is not arranging for cleaning to be done prior to closing, arrange to have it done before you move in so that you won’t arrive to a dirty house. Technically, sellers only have to have the home “broom swept clean” - so if you think your standards of “clean” may vary, do yourself the favor and book a deep cleaning to save yourself the headache!
4. Hire a Sitter. If you have little ones, they will be very excited about their new home, new rooms, and yard. They will want to be with you, but they will not be interested in unpacking boxes! Make plans for someone to be available just for them, so you can concentrate. A family member, friend or hired sitter can help them explore their new surroundings, build a box fort, or organize their toys in their new rooms without you worrying about where they are.
5. Make Plans for your furry friends. The last thing you need on moving day is a stressed-out pup or kitty, or worse, one that escapes in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Make plans for your pets to spend the day with family or friends, a pet sitter, or boarding facility until you are ready to introduce them to their new home.
6. Hire someone to hang your art. Unless you love to hang things yourself, you might consider having a handyman scheduled to come in and hand your wall art, window treatments and light fixtures for you. This can save you a great deal of time getting settled. Who has bought a new light fixture before and it sat in the box for weeks, or maybe even months, until you finally got around to hanging it? Take the jump and hire a handyman to help with these items while you are still unpacking and getting the boxes out of the house. The home will start feeling more like YOURS before you know it
7. Pack a moving supply box. Your moving supply box should contain items you may need while you are unpacking and getting settled in your new home, such as:
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Sponge
All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner
Scissors
Furniture moving pads
Tape measure
Tools such as a hammer, screwdriver and drill
Picture hanging kit
Bottled water, snacks, pet food
Paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils
Dish Soap and Hand Soap
8. Pack an overnight bag with your families’ essentials. Having a fresh change of clothes, toiletries, a towel and pajamas will be a huge sense of relief after a long day of moving. So make sure to have one bag set aside that has something for everyone in the family.
9. Make Your Bed. As soon as your bed frames and mattresses come off the truck, put them together or have the movers put them together, and make them up. Pack your sheets, blankets, and pillows together in well-marked boxes so you can find them easily. When you are ready to collapse at the end of moving day, you’ll be thankful the beds are made up and ready to fall int
10. Check out of the old house. Prior to closing, you should have submitted a change of address form with the post office. You’ll also need to remember to leave all keys and garage door or gate openers, and make sure the movers don’t pack up things like ceiling fan remote controls or other loose items that stay with the house. Don’t forget to clean out spaces like the attic, backyard sheds, crawl spaces, or any other hideaway spaces you might have stored items. It’s always nice to have the home professionally cleaned for the new owners, and, if you feel inclined, leave a list of recommended local vendors for household services.
We hope these tips can help make your next move as smooth and stress-free as possible! Send us a message for our full moving checklist!