You’re counting down the days until your family gets to move into your new home or townhouse. Everyone’s excited and ready to go, but before you can walk right in the front door, you have to take a step back and make sure you check off all of the details. Here are some of Ryan Homes at Brunswick Crossing’s guide to moving into a new home:
Label your boxes. You should begin sorting through all of your belongings about two months before your move. A good rule of thumb is that for every room in the house, you should have 3 boxes: one for items you wish to keep, another for items you would like to sell and a third box for items you want to give away or donate.
For the items you’re selling, consider an old-fashioned garage sale. If that’s too time-consuming with your move, try selling your items on Craigslist, eBay or Amazon.
For the items you’d like to give away, consider who needs them. Animal and rescue shelters could always use blankets, sheets and towels. Hospitals and daycares may take your old books and magazines. Donate your canned goods to homeless shelters or place a “curb alert” advertisement on Craigslist. This lets others know that you have free items at your curb. You can also give your children’s old or unfitted clothes to friends, neighbors or a non-profit like Goodwill.
Hire a moving company or do it on your own. Moving all of those boxes and furniture is a big task. For a less expensive solution, you can reserve a truck, dollies, protective wrapping, boxes, and tape. Ask your friends, family and neighbors to help you get everything together. Teamwork allows for some quality time spent together, too. However, if you’d rather hire a moving company, there are a few tips you should know:
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Choose a local company that’s been in business for at least 10 years and has positive references online, such as on Yelp or Angie’s List.
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Go with a company that’ll give an in-person estimate that’s not based on cubic feet.
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Don’t hire a moving company that will sub-contract your job to other movers.
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Avoid a moving company that doesn’t supply you with the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” pamphlet.
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Schedule your move on the weekend. Thursday through Monday moves, especially between June 15 and July 31, are typically more expensive.
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Double-check the moving company’s license and insurance at SaferSys.org.
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Don’t pay in full until you have received and checked all of your belongings for any damage.
Pay attention to the small details. One month before your move, you should consider the little tasks that have to be done around the house.
- Begin using up perishable food and adjust your grocery list for the next month.
- File an official change of address with the post office.
- If your family is changing health care providers, ask your physician for copies of all medical records. Do the same for your children’s school records and your pet’s vet papers.
- Call all of your current utility companies (cable, newspaper delivery, gardening services, home security, pool cleaning, gas, water) to have the services shut off the day after you move. Call all of your new utility companies to turn their respective services on before your family arrives.
- Gather the necessary tools for disassembling furniture.
Prepare your family. Pack suitcases with clothing for the first few days in your new home. Don’t forget electronics, chargers, toiletries, and any other necessary items.
Moving into a new home is exciting and full of new opportunities. Eliminate the stress by planning ahead: organize and label your boxes, schedule your day and time with the moving company, and prepare your home and family for the big moving day!
