Moving Into a New Place? Here's a Checklist Before You Do
Moving in is always exciting. Still, for many, this process comes with a share of anxiety due to all the things that need to be done. But, as long as you have a handy checklist, you can turn this tiring process into something you actually enjoy. And if you still need help, we’ll discuss professional companies that can aid you along the way.
5 Things to Do Before Moving Into a New Place
Before you start the moving process, there are some things you need to get out of the way first.
- Inspect What You Need to Remodel When moving into a new house or apartment, you’ll want your place to reflect your personality. That's why it’s always a good idea to inspect your home before moving in and see whether it needs any renovations. Even older spaces can look brand-new with just a few touchups. Sometimes, a fresh paint can give the place a new vibe, while removing the worn-off floors can make it look fresh. Then comes the kitchen, where homebodies tend to spend a lot of time in. If your new place’s cabinets don’t speak your style, there are many quick fixes that’ll help. Also, it’s always a good idea to inspect the new bathrooms, as they tend to wear off the most. Whatever needs fixing should be addressed before the moving process starts, so you can save yourself from the hassles of living through renovations. And if these DIY projects seem hard to handle, you can always reach out to professional contractors like Home Solid Home. These contractors have the tools and expertise to handle bigger projects, even including room additions and outdoor living space enhancements.
- Set Up Utilities & New Address After you’ve made sure everything at your new home is exactly how you want it, it’s time to set up utilities. Talk to the house’s owner and discuss electricity, gas, water, and internet. Check what needs to be set up and get them ready beforehand.
Cancel or transfer these services from your previous location to your new place. This way, the move will feel like a breeze and you won’t have to deal with paperwork when you move.
As you deal with this red tape, update your new home’s address too. If you fail to do so, you may receive important mail that you won't be able to reach, and that can be problematic. After you change your address, notify your bank, employer, and other important institutions.
- Get Rid of Everything You Don’t Need When you plan on moving to a new home or apartment, the first thing you think about is packing. But, before you pack, you must actually do an inventory of all your belongings. This is a perfect opportunity to declutter and organize everything you own. So, as you go through your items, decide what you want to keep, sell, donate, or throw away. The golden rule is that whatever you didn't use in the past year should be gone, so try to follow that. Decluttering and organizing are crucial because they reduce the amount of things you need to pack. At the same time, they ensure that your new home isn’t cluttered right from the get-go.
- Pack Everything in Labeled Boxes Once you sort out your things, you can begin packing. The best way to go about this is to start with the items you use less frequently. Then, as your moving day approaches, you continue packing the more essential items. After you seal each box, label them appropriately, or you’ll give the future you a nightmare when it is time to unpack at your new place. Place sticky notes outside your boxes explaining what’s in them and the room these things belong to. For fragile items, the best is to use sturdy boxes and protective wrapping. This way, you will ensure those items will not be the prey of the moving process.
- Hire Professional Movers Moving day is always stressful. This is even worse when you have to deal with people that, instead of helping, cause bigger headaches that you had to begin with. One solution is to hire professional movers. Thanks to their resources, they can handle your moving effortlessly, from original planning to the items relocation. To swift through movers you find online, look for reputable companies with good reviews. Get quotes from multiple movers, and compare their prices and services. The cheapest option may not always be the best. So, consider reliability and recommendations above all. Conclusion Moving is a huge life event and milestone, as you have a lot of planning to do. But, with this handy checklist and a little help from professionals, moving day can turn into an effortless process. And, while it may not exactly bring you joy, at least it will be easier to manage.