If you think renovations are stressful, try moving houses! Moving into a new home can prove to be a challenging task. It requires a lot of preparation, money, and planning. Without either of these things, moving houses is, without a doubt, impossible. Especially if you have never moved houses before, the process can be ten times more stressful for you.
However, you do not have to freak out! This article will help you figure out everything you need to do before moving houses. So, let’s start!
Hiring Professional Movers
Yes, self-sufficiency is great and everything, but you can’t always be the one taking up the responsibility. Although hiring a professional is always preferable, you can choose not to when moving houses within the city. When you own a truck and the distance is short, self-sufficiency makes complete sense. But what do you do when moving from one city to another? Or when your new house is across the continent? The best solution is to hire professional movers for the job! You can sit back and relax because your belongings will be in safe hands. Many companies also offer insurance and liability coverage if anything is damaged during the move.
For residents of the United States, there are multiple options. If you’re looking for a trusted and reliable moving company, consider Coleman Worldwide Moving. They cover the majority of the Western and Southern regions of the States. With their expertise, you can make the transition to your new home easy and stress-free.
Pack It Up!
Last-minute supply runs can be stressful and time-consuming. You must have all the packing supplies, from tape to cardboard boxes and bubble wrap, beforehand. Make sure that you pack your items carefully, especially the fragile ones.
Remember to make an inventory list of everything you would need in your new home. The key to successful packing is to declutter. You don’t need that mirror? Sell it online! Books you do not read and are currently gathering dust on the shelf? Donate them to charity! The more you get rid of things you do not need, the simpler the packing process will be.
Last but not least, remember to gather all your important documents before you move. All the documents must be carefully packed, from birth certificates to marriage licenses to health insurance and financial records.
Setting Up The Utilities
When moving to a different city, you would need a utility provider company to visit your house. You must book in advance to ensure your utilities are set up before moving in. Imagine spending your first night in your new home without electricity. Or worse, no Wi-Fi! Sounds like a nightmare, right?
And unless you don’t mind paying double bills, you must also ensure your current utilities are disconnected.
Update Your Address
Your home address is on everything from your driver’s license to loyalty cards and insurance. Make sure that you contact United States postal services and request an address change before you move. Not just that, but you would also need to contact your bank and the Internal Revenue Services, etc.
Not updating your address means all the important mail arriving at your old house. You would not want your monthly subscription to Vogue magazine arriving at the wrong doorstep, would you?
Deep Cleaning
Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to deep clean the house before moving in. A family of pests can hang out under the windows or safely hide under the kitchen sink. You never know what’s lurking around!
Although you can gather a few family members to clean the house together, hiring professionals is always preferable. They can reach and clean every nook and cranny of the house missing no spots.
Child & Pet-Proofing
Want to make sure that the new house is safe for your furry friend? Here are a few safety steps that you can take to avoid an emergency visit to the vet.
Pets love sniffing around and chewing anything that looks mildly interesting. You should cover electrical cords to stop your four-legged friend from chewing your only charger. Add anti-scratch tape to the couch to protect your new sofas from being a victim of those tiny paws. Also, if you have a cat who loves to explore the outside, you should minimize any potential escape routes.
Funnily enough, child-proofing is not much different from pet-proofing, minus the anti-scratching tape, of course! You must cover the electric outlets and stash all the breakables above their reach.
Repairing And Renovating
Finding out that the old carpet does not blend in with the house’s theme? Is the paint slightly chipping off? Making repairs and minor tweaking is an ideal thing to do before moving in. Make sure that the drainage works fine and the pipes do not leak. Also, ensure that your house has the electrical capacity to operate modern appliances, especially if the house was built in the 90s!
Remember to do all the small renovations beforehand. Finding out that your new house still needs renovations after you move in can be a bummer.
Check Out The Smoke Detectors
How do you figure out if the old smoke detectors work? You do not wait for the accident to happen to check if they work! Before moving in, make sure that you replace the previous smoke detectors with newer ones. Not only are they easy to install, but they are also cost-effective. Put the safety of your family before anything else.
Ensuring Easy Access and Security
As you settle into your new home, one aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked is the management of keys for all family members. In light of effective access management and home safety, bringing in a device that duplicates keys could be worthwhile. This could allow you to create enough copies for every family member, and even keep a spare in a secure location for emergencies. By having this autonomy over your property’s access, you can better manage home security while also assuring you’ll never be locked out.
Conclusion
Moving houses can be exhausting and stressful. But if you plan and follow all the tips and tricks, the process will likely go smoother. You don’t have to go out of your way to do most of these things – as they are pretty basic. But, if you move without checking these things off your chore list, your first month in the new house might not be as enjoyable as you want it to be.
So, good luck and plan your move smartly so you can enjoy your new place with your family!