Moving Tips

Every move is a difference, but here are some of my favorite tips and suggestions for making a smooth move.

Should it Stay or Should it Go Now?

• Consider donating or disposing of any items that you have not used within a year or that you no longer need. Moving can be a great time to assess your ever-expanding collection of “stuff and things” and figure out what you actually need in your life.
• If you will be downsizing to a smaller home, it might be time to rethink your furniture and determine what you can accommodate in your new space. It can be difficult to let go of your favorite sectional or the set up you have used to host holiday meals for the past twenty years. I can refer you to specialists who can help you strategize about how to scale back.
• Try to use up as many of your frozen and perishable food items as possible to avoid having to waste them or figure out how to take them with you. Shrimp and waffles, anyone?

Clean Slate

Moving is a great opportunity to have your furniture, rugs, and window treatments professionally cleaned before moving them to your new abode.
Don’t forget to defrost the refrigerator and freezer before your move date, and be sure to disconnect all major appliances.
Give everything a quick clean yourself or hire a service to clean for you. You will need to remove all of your personal items and leave things “broom clean” for the new occupants.

Dear Mr. Postman

• Contact the post office to complete an official mail forwarding request.
• Notify your employer, creditors, banks, health care professionals, schools, the IRS, Department of Motor Vehicles, subscription services, and others of your new address.
• Pick up dry cleaning, return library books, and settle any accounts with local retailers.
  Arrange for final meter readings on all of your present utility accounts and confirm the date you need services to be discontinued at your current address and reinstituted at your new address.
• Contact your insurance companies to set up coverage for your new home.
• Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and request records that you can keep handy during the move.
• Pick up at least two weeks’ worth of any prescription medications that you need, and transfer your prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home.

Packing and Moving

• If you plan to hire a moving company, get quotes from a few before making your decision. If your move is related to a change in employment, it is also worth checking to see if your new employer will cover any of your moving expenses.
• Plan out which boxes will go to each room of your new home and label or color-code them for an easier time on moving day.
• Pack any important records and valuables yourself and take them with you during the move rather than having the moving company transport them. Keep an inventory of these items to ensure that nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
• Pack a first night bag and mover’s survival kit to ensure that you have what you need without having to dig through ten boxes to find it. You will definitely be tired on moving day, so knowing where your jammies are located is essential. Some items to include are sleepwear, a change of clothes, first aid supplies, toiletries, medications, phone charger, flashlight, sheets and towels, snacks, water, disposable tableware, trash bags, and duct tape.
• Make sure that you confirm the details of your move a week out and that you are available to give directions and answer questions on the day of the move. Be sure that all of your items arrive and assess their condition as they are unloaded, accounting for each on your inventory sheet.
• Break out that bottle of wine (you packed that in your survival kit, right?) and toast to your new home sweet home!