These days many things can stress us out and moving is right up there with the rest of them! When getting ready to move, it’s best to make a checklist of all the things you need to care of. It can be a lot to deal with, and exhausting at the same time, too. Just when you think you've thought of everything, something else come to mind!
The list in your head just gets longer and longer - this is why you need a real checklist to follow. It’ll keep some of your sanity, and hopefully the move will go a lot smoother for you and this checklist will help.
One - Two weeks before you move:
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- Call your utility companies – electric, oil/gas, phone/television/computer
- Change your address on your driver’s license
- auto registration
- voter’s registration
- credit cards
- doctors
- vet
- magazine subscriptions
- newspaper subscriptions
- submit a postal change of address form (online or by mail)
- Fill needed prescriptions for a few weeks (if necessary)
One - Five days before the move:
- Defrost the freezer and empty the ice maker and ice cube trays
- Clean refrigerator, stove-top, and oven
- Disconnect and drain all appliances
- Drain fuel from power equipment
- Have payment ready for movers
- Confirm travel arrangements
- Confirm arrival time of movers – OR – the pick-up of rental truck
- Clean and gather outdoor furniture
- Return cable box(es), modems, DSL modem, etc.
- Organize keys
- Close safe deposit box -personal papers in order
- Clean house (vacuum, sweep)
- Finish packing and prepare food/snacks/bottled water for move day
Moving Day:
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- Disassemble beds
- Check all cupboards, closets, see that the dishwasher and appliances are all empty
- Give movers a tour and instructions.
When it comes to actually packing your belongings, try to do one room at a time.
More importantly, getting the right packing material is crucial, also. Sturdy boxes, big wide tip markers and the thin brown tape works best. If you can get a tape gun it’ll make things go even faster. You can find these items at your local home center such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, or perhaps, a local moving company.
When it comes to pictures with glass in frames, vases, dishes, etc., bubble wrap is great to use. Make sure to properly mark the box “fragile,” and more importantly, make sure to point it out to the handler.
You can rent one of those large rental storage box units (or more) and have them delivered right to your house. They can be loaded at your convenience and then once it’s filled, the trucking company will truck it to your new home. (Pack the more valuable items with you in the car such as jewelry, personal papers, food, urns, etc).
If it’s convenient, have the boxes stacked in backwards making the first box needed up front (and the least important boxes in the back). Each family member may want a ‘must-have’ box on the first day, too, so label them with their “NAME” and “First Day.” Also, include a special box with some plastic cups, paper towels, paper plates, toilet paper, (maybe some plastic eating utensils)…. although, moving makes a good excuse to eat out at the fast food restaurants! Plus, don’t forget your pet’s food, water and eating bowls, too, (and leashes, cages, if necessary).
Try to make it an adventure and try to have patience. When you feel overwhelmed, try to take a 10 minute break, and just remember it’ll be over soon enough and be a memory. Everything will fall into place, (literally)…Good luck on your new home!
Any other great tips or comments, I welcome your input!
