Moving is exciting. However, it is demanding and can be incredibly stressful. One of the most stressful aspects of moving to a new home is packing. Prepare a moving essentials checklist to make this rather daunting task successful.
Whether you plan to handle everything yourself or hire a moving company in Colorado Springs, adequate preparation is essential. This guide aims at making moving painless, less troublesome, and more successful. It contains a checklist of things to do to avoid forgetting any vital steps.
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The Ultimate Checklist for Moving Into a New Home
8 Weeks before Moving
Unless it is an emergency, the planning phase of your moving will take weeks or months— 2 months should be good enough. Get things started. You will begin by creating a moving binder. You will also need to update and back up all the files on your computer.
The following steps are essential;
- Create a Binder- A Google Doc or a moving will help your track your progress and also help you save time.
- Add Your Moving Checklists to Your Binder- You will need to print out your checklists and put them in your binder. If you are using a Google Doc, do the same by putting all lists in a single doc. Separating your tasks into chunks will make moving more coordinated and results-oriented. We divide your checklists into eight categories, starting two months before the moving day and ending two weeks after the D-day.
- Organize All Your Documents- Apart from checklists, you can also include contact info, relevant documentation, and receipts in the binder. Other documents you may want to keep track of include moving estimates, quotes, and final bills.
- Note All Your Appointments- Moving to a new home comes with several meetings. Expect and note arrangements for school admissions, inspections, or organizing utility bills.
- Know Your Furniture Measurements- If your mission to declutter will not include your furniture, expect them to take much of your transportation space. Again, it would not be delightful to get to your new home with a couch that cannot fit through the doors.
- Pack Your First Box and Back up Your Files- You still have two months. So, your first box won’t contain your utensils or sanitary. Instead, it will consist of your valuables, academic or professional certificates, and other vital documents. Please take note of fragile or special items that will need special care and pack them appropriately. And if you have photos or documents on your phone, hard drive, or computer that you cannot afford to lose, cloud backup for such files will help.
- Choose Whether to Hire a Mover or Not- It is at this point that you will decide whether to do things by yourself or hire a moving company. Find options, and if you choose to go with a professional mover, begin your research. While you may not decide which company to use now, you must have options.
- Make a Room-by-Room Inventory as You Declutter- Keep track of all your belonging by creating a room-by-room inventory. It is easier to file claims for missing, lost, or stolen items. Also, decluttering before you move saves you time, energy, and space. Donate, sell, or dispose of things you no longer use. You can also take pictures of your valuable assets.
- Take Time off From Work- Don’t rely only on your free time. Request some time off to concentrate on planning your move. You can do a deep clean or repairs during this time if you are a renter and expecting a refund of your rent deposit. Cleaning your old home also increases your odds of getting a new buyer.
6 Weeks before Moving
The last two weeks were about organizing your spaces. The following two weeks will involve getting more detailed by determining the moving supplies and services you will need. More importantly, ensure that you do not make moving more expensive.
- Shortlist Prospective Movers You Would Use- You should narrow your list of movers to about three options. You may consider price, discounts, deals, and proximity to your locality or your new home.
- Collect Free Boxes, Pack, and Label Them- You will need packing boxes. Why not call your grocery, furniture, or garment stores for any free boxes? Doing this will ensure that you will not need to buy everything. And to know if you still need boxes, pack in what you can and label them appropriately.
- Reserve a Storage Space- You can organize all the packed boxes into a storage unit and keep it under lock and key.
4 Weeks before Moving
Since you have just one month to move into your new home, prioritize booking your ideal mover and gather what is left.
- Choose Your Most Ideal Mover and Get Coverage- Choose one moving company from your list and call them for a booking. Ensure that you keep all the relevant documentation and receipts. You can also get coverage to protect your belonging.
- Make Travel Arrangements- Plan your actual route if you will be driving by yourself. Also, this is when you need to book your rental car, hotel, or flight. If you are using your vehicle, consider oil changes, new car registration, driver’s license, and insurance.
- Buy Packing Supplies- If you didn’t get enough free boxes from your local stores, you could buy the rest. Pack and label them as you did with the free boxes.
- Contact Your Utility, Phone, and Security Providers- You do not want to stay in a ghost house for weeks before fixing your TV, phone, internet, and security. Call your utility providers to set up services for your new home.
- Order Your Prescriptions- This is one aspect that many people forget while moving. Organize refills since it could take you days or weeks to find a new doctor around your new home.
2 Weeks before Moving
Your goal during this duration is to finalize all moving logistics and update your address and contact information.
- Change Your Address- Of course, not everyone knows that you are moving. Contact friends, relatives, and businesses, and inform them of your change of address.
- Change Your Memberships- If you intend to move several miles away, gym and other memberships may not be necessary. Cancel them.
- Complete Your Packing- You have been packing in bits. However, it is now time to complete everything on your packing list. You can also fill your suitcases.
- Confirm Your Moving Dates- Contact your designated mover to confirm if all plans are scheduled. Once verified, you can plan your final meals and probably a moving party.
1 Week before Moving
This week marks the homestretch. Aim at getting everything ready before your big day.
- Disassemble Your Furniture- This is the time if you have anything that will need disassembly. Break down couches, tables, beds, and bookshelves to save time on moving day.
- Collect Keys and Door Openers- You need all these as you will hand them over to the new owner or realtor.
- Clean Your New and Old Home- Leave your old home clean. Again, it will save you time to clean your new home before moving. Take pictures of empty rooms in both houses.
- Pack a Moving Kit- Organize healthy snacks, chargers, and flashlights. You may also need some cash for emergencies.
On Your Moving Day
You only have one mission—moving safely to your new home.
- Wake Up Early- You do not want to be late.
- Be Available- You should be at the center of it all to facilitate everything. Clear a path for your movers, check the paperwork, conduct a walkthrough to check if you forgot anything, and sign the inventory book for your movers.
After Moving Day
You must still be feeling tired. But one thing you need is to try and settle into your new home.
- Do Your Grocery Shopping- You probably survived on snacks the previous day. Get yourself some proper food today.
- Set up Your Home- You can begin by setting up your bedroom and bathrooms before moving to other spaces.
- Change Your Locks- You do not know how many people have the keys to the locks and who they are. You can also make spare keys.
- Confirm Your Utilities- Confirm if everything is working fine. Again, you can inquire about the local pet policies, lawn care, and other dues.
2 Weeks after Moving
You should be comfortably settled in your new home within two weeks.
- Finish Unpacking- You can focus on other rooms once you are through with bedrooms and bathrooms. Break down everything until you reach your final box.
- Plan and Host a House Warming Party- You can plan and host a party before beginning your routine. Reward yourself for the hard work and get to know your neighbors. You can also send appreciation notes to those who helped.
- Save Your Moving Binder- Do not throw away your moving binder. It will help you when you need to move again.
Moving can be hectic. However, these tips should help you move safely and successfully.
