Moving house can be stressful, no matter how excited you are to move. To help make your move less stressful, try these tips from the ultimate guide to moving house.
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Six Weeks Before
When you’re six weeks out, make sure you’re getting everything ready. If you’re moving out of town, you will need to arrange things like time with friends and family. Start organizing your belongings. There are lots of things that need to be done during this time, but don’t worry. You still have plenty of time to get it all done. If you haven’t already booked your movers, get online to search for a ‘moving company near me’, and get them booked.
- Make some time to see your family and friends before moving day. You could throw a simple dinner party to see everyone and say goodbye to your current home.
- Get free boxes from restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, or local bookstores. Most stores are happy to give you empty boxes if you ask them politely. If you can’t get enough free boxes, you can buy them cheaply online.
- Research some packing tips to make packing up easier.
- Label all your moving boxes clearly with what’s in them and what room they should go in. This will make unpacking a lot easier at the other end.
- Make an inventory list of your valuables before they go onto the moving truck. Keep a private note of which box has valuables packed into it.
- Make any boxes that contain fragile items. You don’t want the movers to use the box with your wedding china in for the bottom of the pile.
- Take photos of your electronics, like your TV and stereo, before you unplug them so you know how to connect any wires back up at the other end.
- When you disassemble furniture, put all the hardware in a labelled baggy so you can find it easily to reassemble the furniture when you arrive.
- Gather socks, towels, linens, and t-shirts to use as free packing materials.
- If you’re moving into an apartment, check if there are any moving day requirements.
- Sort out any minor home repairs in your current home before you move out. If you’re a renter, this could help you to get your deposit back.
- If you’re moving a long distance, have your vehicle serviced. The last thing you want is to break down on the way.
- If you need to ship your car, take everything out of it first.
- Measure your doorways, stairways, and elevators at both houses to make sure your furniture will fit through.
- Do some research into your new community to find some interesting places to hang out, like bars and restaurants.
- Start packing. Pack a little bit every day to save you from trying to pack everything at the last minute.
4 Weeks Before
You have one month to go! Start getting all the important documents that you’ll need to bring to the new house. Now is also a good time to start selling or donating any unwanted items.
- Get moving insurance so your belongings are protected during the move.
- Confirm where your moving truck will be able to park. You might need a parking permit. If you’re moving yourself, arrange to rent a moving truck.
- Use up or donate anything that you can’t pack or sell, like frozen foods or aerosol cans.
- Get all your important financial, legal, and medical records in one place.
- Gather together all the passports and birth certificates for everyone in the house. Keep these with you during the move.
- Tell your home or renter’s insurance company of your upcoming move. Before you move, contact your insurance agent to talk about your moving date, coverage, and insurance plan.
- Find internet and cable providers for your new home. Get these services ordered and schedule your installation appointment. Get this done, so you’re not without them after the move.
- If you’re moving to a new town, find a new doctor, dentist, and vet.
- Update your voter registration.
- If you’re moving a long way, plan the route, and book a hotel if you’ll need somewhere to stay.
- Make sure your pets have ID tags for their collars.
- Get copies of vet records and make sure you have any medication your pets need. If you’re moving out of the country, check what vaccinations your pets will need.
- Make a moving day playlist to keep you going during moving and unpacking.
One Week Before
It’s moving week! Make sure you organize all your belongings (a declutter can help with this), finish your packing, and get your old home clean. Get these tasks done as early as you can to make the process as stress-free as you can.
- Donate any unopened food from your cupboards.
- Make sure you have cancelled or redirected any deliveries, whether you have things on backorder or get a regular subscription delivered.
- Clean your home for the next people.
- The night before you move, unplug your fridge and freezer to defrost them. Remember to put out some old towels to absorb any leaks.
- Drain the water hose to your washing machine and ice maker.
- Empty oil and gas from your grills, heaters, and lawnmowers.
- Double-check that you’ve got everything from the back of shelves and closet corners.
- Prep for your final walkthrough with your landlord if you’re a renter.
- Check the weather forecast for moving day so you can be prepared for bad weather.
- Pack an essentials box with everything that you will need for your first day in your new house.
- Make a plan for problems, such as the movers running late.
- Take photographs of your house while it’s empty to show that you left it in a good condition for moving out.
- Withdraw cash to tip your movers.
- Clean your new house.
Moving Day
All your preparation has come to this day. On the day of your move, it’s a good idea to get an early start. The earlier that you move into your new home, the more time you will have to unpack and get settled into your own home.
- Set an alarm and get up early on moving day.
- Protect your floors and carpets during the move.
- Tip your movers,
- As soon as the movers leave, make your bed, and unpack your toiletries. If you get no further, you can at least sleep and shower.
- Go grocery shopping. Having food in the house saves you from buying more takeout.
- Cover your windows with sheets or blankets for privacy on your first night if you don’t have curtains or blinds yet.
- Thank your real estate agent or broker.
One Week Post-Move
You’re all moved in! You might you’ve done everything, but you’re not quite done yet. Now is the time to start making your new home yours. Unpack, decorate, and start personalizing your new home.
- Leave a review of your experience with your moving company. Google Reviews is a good place to do this, so other people can find them.
- List any leftover moving boxes or unwanted furniture you still have on selling sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You could give your boxes to a friend you know is planning a move.
- Clean the carpets in your new home.
- Get the chimney swept before you use it.
- Check that your home’s address is clearly visible from the street.
- Have a new home security system fitted.
- Start exploring your new neighborhood. Start visiting local shops, libraries, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and grocery stores. Start finding your nearest options for these things yous.