Photo by Alex Mecl on Unsplash
Moving home can be exciting and stressful all at the same time, from packing to organising transport, something you need to think about when moving can slip your mind. You have got a lot going on so to help you out we have listed below six things to think about when moving home below.
1. Pack An Essentials Box
Packing is a painstaking task and we tend to just shove everything from that room into boxes without giving it a second thought. If this is your method of packing that’s fine, however we do recommend you do one thing extra and that is to pack an essentials box. Moving can take up the whole day and depending on how far you are moving you might not get to your new home until after dark. After a long day of packing the removal vans and driving the last thing you want to do is search through every box for your toothbrush or phone charger. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a box with all your essential items in that you will need over anything else. We recommend packing in this box the following:
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Toilet roll
- Shampoo & body wash
- Pyjamas
- Phone charger
- Bottled Water and Snacks
- Cleaning Products
Of course you can put whatever you deem as essential in your box, maybe get each member of the family to create their own essentials box and make sure you put it somewhere easy to find when you get to your new home. It’s also a good idea to have a dedicated box for important items such as passports, house documents and valuables etc.
2. Get More Than One Removal Quote
Unless you own a van big enough to transport all your belongings to your new home you might want to think about getting some removal quotes. You should make this one of your main priorities when organising your move. When looking for a removal company ensure you don’t just settle for the first one you come across. Do some research and get a few quotes before making your decision. Ask around for recommendations as you will then know they come from a happy customer.
When using a removal service there are a few different packages they tend to offer, establish what you think you require for the day. A basic package normally includes just the transport, where as a more premium one might include loading and unloading your belongings. You should also think about how you are going to transport your cars to your new house. If you are opting to drive your own removal truck to keep costs down, you might then have to sacrifice leaving your car and picking it up at a later date. That sounds like a lot of unnecessary trouble, there are ways that you can have your car transported for you. Companies like CarsRelo are great for helping take the stress away of you figuring out how to get your car from one location to another.
3. Tell People You Have Moved
When we are organising our move you might have a list in your mind of who you need to tell. However sometimes our brains can get a little foggy and we end up missing people on the list. We hope that friends and family are not forgotten on your list of people to tell, unless that’s intentional of course. Besides you loved ones there are alot of companies you need to let know your new address, these include:
- Health care professionals – Doctors, dentists, Obstetrician etc
- DMV and car insurance company
- Utility company
- Banks
It is also a good idea to have your post redirected, this way when correspondence comes through the post it will prompt you to contact them and change the address.
4. Arrange Babysitter For Moving Day
Moving day is always busy, with trying to organize people and timings of everything it will require your full attention. If you have young children it’s a good idea to arrange someone to watch them whilst you move. Children require a lot of attention whether it’s keeping an eye on them running around, feeding them or changing diapers, there’s not a minute you can take your eye off of them. If you are travelling a long distance then think about asking a family member or friend to join you on moving day. This way they can keep an eye on the children whilst you focus on organizing your move smoothly.
5. Use Up Food In Fridge And Freezer
Once you know your moving date take a look in your fridge and freezer and see what you need to consume before moving day. It’s good practice to try and use up your food, especially the food in your freezer. This is so you don’t have to transport frozen food and the risk of it all defrosting before you get it into your new home. You also don’t want to be wasteful with food and end up throwing most of it away. If you think there will be too much food that you can’t transport then offer it to family, friends or even your local food bank.
6. Change Your Locks
When you move into a new house you should always have your locks changed just to stay on the side of caution. Organize a locksmith to meet you on moving day to change all the locks on the house that lead from exterior to interior, make sure you include all windows too. It can be a little pricey to do this but will give you peace of mind knowing your house is secure. If you are confident enough, give it a go yourself to save a little money.
We hope this guide has helped you feel a little more organized with what you need to think about when moving home. Remember moving home is an exciting adventure so don’t forget to enjoy the experience. While you are here take a look at our tips on How To Choose The Best Home Insurance.
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