Moving can be stressful. There are several factors you will need to consider, such as how you will be moving and whether you can do it yourself or whether you will have to hire a moving company. It will be best to carefully list and organize the tasks you need to complete to make the moving process smoother.
To help you, you will see below the necessary tasks before, during and after the move that you can use to help you organize your move.
Tasks: before moving
The preparation starts here. An organized and stress-free relocation is the result of preparation. Check out the following to find out what you need to do weeks in advance before relocation day:
- If you are moving with your family, it is best to discuss the situation with them. You can also start telling your friends and relatives about it.
- Carefully sift through all your devices, tools and equipment. Assess if something is a necessity, or if it will just add space, then create a list based on that.
You can donate or sell things that you think will no longer serve their purpose after you move. Be sure to get rid of any dangerous or harmful items.
- Assess how much you will bring and whether you can move them or hire a more suitable moving company. If your mode of moving is the latter, you will need to research moving services and scour the market to find the ones that are reliable and the ones that fit your budget.
Instead of hiring a moving company or doing it yourself, you can also ask a few friends to help you move your stuff.
- List non-essential and essential things separately, then start packing non-essential things first. Pack your essentials a few days before moving day, such as kitchen items and clothes you’ll still need.
- If you don’t plan to bring food, start consuming items from your fridge and pantry. If you leave them, they could be spoiled.
- Be sure to clean and dry your devices before moving.
- Visit the community you are moving into and familiarize yourself with the location. Know where the nearest facilities are and the mode of transportation.
- Take the time to plan your travel routes, especially if you need to take a boat, plane or train to get there. It is better to book these types of transport earlier in order to avoid high prices.
- Notify utility providers of your move. Utilities include cable, internet, water, gas, electricity, security, garbage, etc.
You will need to research and choose utility providers if you are moving to a new location, make sure they have already hooked up the necessary services when you arrive in the new home.
- If you need new furniture and decor items for the new home, it’s best to pick them out weeks before the move, so they’ll be delivered just in time for you to use them.
- Let a local pest control company visit your home to identify and fix insect problems.
- Clean up the old house and take care of the garbage before moving.
Tasks: day of resettlement
Finally, it’s moving day! But it’s still ongoing; you can’t relax yet and still have to do a few things. Check out the last-minute commitments you’ll need to make below:
- Make sure you have packed the necessary items that you will bring with you. Check all your bags and luggage, making sure you are equipped with essential items such as extra clothes, toiletries, important documents and many more.
- Perform a final cleaning and home assessment, making sure you have taken everything that belongs to you.
- If you are not planning to return, you can already hand over the keys to the owner or new owners.
Tasks: after the move
Here are some more physically demanding jobs, but after these, you can finally enjoy your new home. Check below what you need to do and assess where to start:
- Start by unpacking the packed essentials, then take your time to examine and unload the non-essentials.
- After unpacking, it’s time to give the new home a thorough clean, whether it’s dusting, mopping or vacuuming.
- Update your address details on providers such as financial institutions, doctors, clubs, subscription services, driver’s licenses and online shopping accounts.
- Explore the new neighborhood and nearby amenities you’ll frequent, such as malls, grocery stores, parks, schools, libraries, pharmacies, and restaurants.
- Meet and greet your new neighbors.
- Ask neighbors or the municipality about garbage collection days.
- Go to the local town hall to announce the changes made to your registration on the electoral lists.
- Have an electrician examine your outlets and electrical panel.
Mistakes to avoid
Here are some common missteps people make when moving house. Familiarize yourself with the following and avoid the mess it might create:
- Overspending on packing items when you can get them for free from local stores.
- If you don’t measure your furniture beforehand, you’ll end up with furniture that doesn’t fit in your new home.
- Pack up even unnecessary items that are of no use for the new house when you can sell them and earn some money.
- Packing flammable or dangerous items.
- Pack heavy objects in large boxes,
- Not labeling your boxes after filling them will make later unpacking longer.
- Keep the address on suppliers the same as before.
Conclusion
You have come this far! You now retain an essential understanding of what you can accomplish before, during and after your move.
Although moving from one place to another takes so much time and factors to consider, you can rest assured that only the process and the transition would be hectic. Once you get past that, you can finally enjoy the fruits of your hard work.
