Four tasks to carry out before you move home

Moving to a new home is an exciting and transformative chapter in life. Whether relocating to a different city, upgrading to a larger space, or downsizing for a simpler lifestyle, the prospect of a new beginning is always thrilling. However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial not to overlook the essential tasks that can make your move smooth and stress-free. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through four tasks you should tackle before packing up and heading to your new abode. From organizing your belongings to ensuring a seamless transition, these pre-move tasks will help you navigate the journey of moving home confidently and efficiently. So, let’s dive in and confirm your upcoming move is seamless and successful!

Decide how you’re going to move.

This is one of the most essential things to do before moving. Your choice between hiring a professional moving company or orchestrating a DIY move will significantly impact the success and ease of your transition. Both options have their merits, but it is essential to select the right one for your specific circumstances.

Self-Moving Considerations:

Opting for a self-move is a viable choice if you meet specific criteria:

  1. Previous Moving Experience: If you’ve successfully managed previous home moves and understand the logistics involved, self-moving might be a feasible option.
  2. Access to a Vehicle: Owning a truck, having access to one, or feeling confident about driving a rental van in unfamiliar areas is crucial. This is especially true if you transport a moderate amount of items.
  3. Short-Distance Move: Self-moving is often more practical for shorter distances, where you can make multiple trips without excessive time or cost.
  4. Limited Valuables: Self-moving can be more cost-effective if you don’t possess many high-value or fragile items that require special care and protection.

Professional Mover Considerations:

On the other hand, hiring a professional moving company is a wise choice under specific circumstances:

  1. First-Time Move: If this is your first home move and you’re not experienced in handling the complexities of moving logistics, professional movers can offer expertise and peace of mind.
  2. Long-Distance Relocation: Moving across a considerable distance presents unique challenges, including potential logistical hurdles and the need for specialized equipment. Professional movers are equipped to handle long-distance moves efficiently.
  3. Large or Fragile Items: When you have valuable, large, or delicate possessions that require careful handling and protection during the move, hiring professionals is often the safest choice.

How you move should align with your specific needs and circumstances. It’s essential to assess your level of experience, the distance of your move, the nature of your belongings, and your comfort with logistics to make an informed choice. Doing so will set the stage for a successful and stress-free move, ensuring your prized possessions arrive at your new home safely and securely.

Change the locks

One of the most important tasks before settling into your new home is to change the locks. Ensuring the safety and security of your property and your loved ones should be a top priority during the transition. While it might seem like an extra step or an unnecessary precaution, changing the locks can give you peace of mind and control over your new living space.

Why Change the Locks Before Moving In?

Changing the locks before moving into your new home is a strategic decision that offers several advantages. Here’s why it’s beneficial:

  1. Immediate Security: By changing the locks before moving in, you ensure no one else can access your home. It eliminates the risk of previous occupants or anyone else having a copy of your keys. This immediate security measure helps you sleep soundly during those crucial first nights in your new home.
  2. Prevent Exposure: Changing the locks before your belongings arrive is also a proactive step to prevent exposure of your possessions. If you wait until after you move in, you may inadvertently expose your valuable items to potential threats before you’ve had a chance to secure the property.
  3. Convenience: Changing locks when your home is empty is far more convenient than doing it later when you’re surrounded by furniture and personal items. A locksmith can work more efficiently in a space, ensuring the job is done correctly and without hindrances.
  4. Personalization: It’s also an opportunity to customize the security of your new home according to your preferences. You can choose the type of locks and security systems that best suit your needs and ensure they are correctly installed.
  5. Cost-Efficiency: Preemptive lock replacement can save you money in the long run. If you encounter any issues with the locks or keys while moving in, it may result in additional expenses and inconveniences. Avoiding these complications by changing the locks beforehand is an intelligent financial choice.

Update your address

This doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. Updating your address is a straightforward but crucial task when moving to a new home. It may sound daunting, but it mustn’t be a complicated process. For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a convenient solution: mail forwarding for movers. For just a dollar and 15 minutes of your time, you can ensure that all your mail reaches your new address. While you will eventually need to update your address with subscriptions, credit cards, and other services, setting up mail forwarding ensures you won’t miss any important documents during the transition. It’s a small effort that can save you from the hassle of tracking down misplaced mail and ensure a smooth transition to your new home.

Declutter your home

Decluttering is one of the most beneficial tasks you can undertake before moving to a new home. This process involves closely examining all your possessions, evaluating their importance, and deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. While it may seem like a daunting task, decluttering can have a profoundly positive impact on your moving experience and your life in general.

The Benefits of Decluttering:

  1. Streamlined Inventory: Decluttering forces you to stock everything you own, which is incredibly valuable in moving. It allows you to make conscious decisions about what items genuinely matter to you and are worth bringing to your new home. This streamlined inventory can reduce your moving costs and make the transition smoother.
  2. Less Stress: Moving can be a stressful endeavor, and having fewer items to pack, load, and unpack can significantly reduce that stress. You’ll find that a clutter-free home makes for a more peaceful and organized move.
  3. Increased Efficiency: With fewer possessions to manage, you can pack and unpack more efficiently. This can save you time and energy during the moving process, allowing you to settle into your new home more quickly.
  4. A Fresh Start: Moving to a new home is an opportunity for a fresh start, and decluttering is the first step toward creating a space that truly reflects your preferences and lifestyle. It’s a chance to let go of items that no longer serve you and make room for new possibilities.

Considerations for Large Items:

Don’t forget to consider large and heavy items like furniture when decluttering. While some may hold sentimental value, weighing the cost and effort of moving them against their significance in your new home is essential. Selling or donating furniture that no longer fits your needs can help you save money on moving expenses and create space for new furniture that suits your new space better.

You may consider using temporary storage services, such as those provided by StorageArea.com. You could place items here briefly while moving and transport them yourself.

Additional Tasks

  1. Create a Moving Budget: Determine how much you will spend on your move. Consider expenses such as hiring movers, purchasing packing supplies, and any unexpected costs that may arise during the move.
  2. Notify Service Providers: Inform utility companies, internet and cable providers, and other providers of your upcoming move. Schedule disconnect and reconnection dates to ensure a seamless transition of services.
  3. Transfer Medical Records: If you have ongoing medical treatments, make arrangements to transfer your medical records to your new healthcare provider. This ensures continuity of care in your new location.
  4. School Records: If you have children, notify their current school of your move and request copies of their academic records to provide to their new school.
  5. Change of Address: Update your address with essential entities, including the post office, banks, insurance companies, the Department of Motor Vehicles (for your driver’s license and vehicle registration), and any relevant government agencies.
  6. Update Subscriptions and Memberships: Notify your address change in magazines, newspapers, and subscription services. Also, update your address with any clubs or organizations you’re a part of.
  7. Forward Your Mail: Aside from setting up mail forwarding with the postal service, inform friends, family, and important contacts of your new address. Send out change-of-address cards or emails to ensure everyone knows about your move.
  8. Packing and Labeling: Start packing well before your move. Label boxes with their contents and the room they belong to, making the unpacking process much more organized.
  9. Arrange for Child or Pet Care: If you have young children or pets, consider arranging for someone to look after them on moving day to keep them safe and reduce stress.
  10. Research Your New Area: Familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. Locate essential services such as hospitals, schools, grocery stores, and public transportation options.
  11. Prepare an Essentials Box: Pack a box with essential items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and basic kitchen supplies.
  12. Dispose of Hazardous Materials: Safely dispose of or make arrangements for properly disposing of hazardous materials like cleaning supplies, paint, and batteries, as movers typically cannot transport these items.
  13. Inventory Valuables: Create an inventory of valuable items and consider purchasing additional insurance coverage for valuable possessions during the move.
  14. Measure Doorways and Hallways: Measure doorways and hallways at your new home to ensure that your furniture and oversized items will fit through without difficulty.
  15. Final Cleaning: Clean your current home thoroughly before moving out, and schedule a cleaning service for your new home before you move in.

Conclusion

Undertaking these crucial tasks before starting a home move is akin to laying a solid foundation for a stress-free and efficient transition. By conscientiously addressing these different tasks, you mitigate potential pitfalls and maximize the opportunities for a successful and gratifying transition to your new home.

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