Moving day is an exciting yet extremely stressful time for homeowners, especially when you’re unprepared. From forgetting to change your address to not packing an essentials bag, a few careless mistakes can lead to a load of problems. So if you’ve recently scored yourself a new home and are getting ready to make a move, here are a few things you should avoid to make moving day more exciting and less of a hassle.
Doing It Yourself
While it may be tempting to move all your boxes yourself to save money on hiring a moving company, doing this is the least efficient, safe, and cost-friendly way to get your things into your new home. Not only do they help you get all your furniture and belongings from one place to another, but they also help properly disassemble furniture and pack them in a way that protects your things in a more organized matter. With professional moving companies, the benefits are worth the costs. Not only that, but you’ll be glad that you didn’t do everything yourself. The back and forth trips to and from your new house to fully move all your belongings into the house alone will cost you way more on gas and physical energy than hiring movers.
Last-minute Scheduling
Don’t hire a moving van last minute- this will be a pain for both you and your movers. Instead, book as early as you can. Moving into a new home is a complex process that requires advanced preparations to make sure that you experience a smooth and stress-free move. Of course, this depends on many factors, such as how far your new home is, which part of the year you plan on moving, and many boxes of belongings you have. For instance, if you’re planning to move during peak moving season- between April and September, you may want to consider booking your mover one to two months in advance.
Not Labeling Your Boxes
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of other people packing your belongings, remember to at least label your boxes before handing them to the movers. Label all your breakable items as fragile, and remember to also add labels according to the room they’re supposed to go in. Not only will this help movers avoid breaking any of your precious belongings, but it will also make it easier for you to unpack and place everything where they need to be.
Forgetting to Separate Your Essentials
The first night in your new home will undoubtedly be a stressful one if you forget to pack your essentials separately. Pack a “first-night essentials” box for when you first settle into your new home. This should include items like your toothbrush, pajamas, towels, a change of clothes, snacks, and other items you might need in case of an emergency. Having this handy will prepare you for any emergencies and help you make your first night easier by not having to rummage through your boxes to find what you need.
Forgetting to Transfer Utilities
You don’t want to arrive in your new home and realize that you have no power. At the same time, you also want to disconnect any utilities connected to your old home. Weeks before your big move, get in touch with your utility provider and let them know that you’ll be moving to a new place and schedule the disconnection of your gas and electricity. You also want to contact your utility, electric, cable, and internet companies to ensure that everything’s installed when you move in.
Leaving Your Home Unprotected
Your home should be your safe space, so you need to take the proper precautionary measures to avoid any unpleasant events such as burglaries. Keep your home secure by doing the following things as soon as you move into your new home:
- Change your locks and install security fixtures like alarms and cameras inside and outside your home.
- Protect your house from fires by installing a fire alarm and smoke detector in each room. It’s also important to have a fire extinguisher ready on each floor.
- Have a safety kit on hand to prepare you for emergencies.
- If you have children, make sure your home is child-proof by covering sharp edges, keeping toxic items out of reach, etc.
- Protect your home from the weather by installing gutters, making sure your roof shingles are in peak condition, and your home is insulated so you won’t have to worry about experiencing leaks and other weather conditions.
Not Changing Your Address
While it’s not an obligation for you to inform everyone you know about your new address, there are a few companies that you may need to fill in, such as the post office, tax agencies, your employer, your bank, and the like.
Moving into a new home is an experience full of challenges and hurdles, but it doesn’t have to outweigh your excitement. If you take the time to plan out your move and take the proper precautions, moving day will be a breeze.
