So you have a moving date – great! What comes next can feel overwhelming, but there’s no need to fret. This checklist will help you take the right steps before the big move. Take a day to tackle these tasks and you’ll be well on your way to settling comfortably into your new home.
Turn On/Off All Utilities: Utilities like electricity, water, gas, internet, trash, phone, and any other services your house uses should be canceled at your current location and turned on at your new location. Subscriptions and memberships like gyms, magazines, and meal plans should be canceled or transferred. Some services may take time and/or require a fee to initiate or transfer, so make this a top priority.
Set Up Your New Mailing Address: A crucial step! Go to USPS.com/move or visit your local post office to change your address and set up mail forwarding. Mail forwarding lasts 6 months and costs just $1.10.
Find all Important Documents: Have copies of documents that should travel with you. Birth certificates, social security cards, passports, power of attorney documents, living wills, military documents, school records, financial information, and medical records. Keep these in an organized binder and in a safe, memorable place.
Downsize: Cutting out needless items from your move will save you time, energy, and money. Removing heavy items from your inventory – like unnecessary books and papers – are just one way to cut down the total weight of your freight. Read more about how to save money on your move by decluttering in our blog.
Prepare Items that the Movers Can’t Take: First, read up on items the movers can’t take, like cleaning supplies and food. Then donate, donate, donate! Consider scheduling a pickup for your local donation center to give your unused items a new home. We partner with Move For Hunger – a service that can deliver boxes of food items to a local food pantry for free. Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they are interested in taking any other items off your hands.
Taking these few steps will help your move go much more smoothly. We’re here to help! If you have any questions about your move or would like a FREE quote, you can give us a call at 410-729-1729.
