Tips For A Successful Moving Day
Moving is never easy, whether you're going across town or across the country. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the big day go a little more smoothly. These suggestions can ease your stress and help you get into your new place with fewer obstacles.
1. Take the Time to Hire Professional Movers
While hiring professionals brings an added expense to your move, the money you spend on experienced and licensed movers will be well worth it. You can enlist their help in packing, or simply hire them to handle the actual move. This leaves you to worry about other details that do need your personal attention.
2. Consider Sitters for the Day
If you have children, consider leaving them with your babysitter for the big day. Even if you're moving out of town, sending the kids off with a sitter while the moving van is being packed can keep them from getting underfoot and will create less stress for them. Similarly, boarding your pet for the day can reduce the risks of the dog or cat running off at the worst possible moment.
3. Create a Master Inventory List
You can never be too meticulous when it comes to packing up your belongings. You can use colored markers, assigning one color to each room in the house. This will help movers get everything where it needs to go more efficiently while marking the contents of each box on an outer flap will help you locate important items. A master inventory list can help you ensure nothing gets lost or forgotten as well.
4. Contact Utility Companies in Advance
It may be wise to arrange your changes of utility services a month in advance. This gives the utility companies and cable or internet service providers time to arrange the transfer or start of service in your new home. If you're relocating to a new city, this may be especially wise, because arrangements will need to be made for the initial start of your service. Just make sure you'll be on site when they arrive to turn on services.
5. Inspect Your New Home
When you arrive at your new home, the first thing you should do is conduct a walk-through to ensure everything looks right. This is especially important if you're renting. Take pictures to verify the condition of the home, as well. If this is a home you bought, photos or video can help you document areas that will need work or may need updating for the purposes of energy efficiency.
While moving into a new home can be stressful, planning ahead can help you eliminate some of the more common challenges. By taking steps to ensure a better move, you can take the time to enjoy the prospect of getting a fresh start in your new home.