Before you move to a new house

The excitement and chaos of moving to a new house! Here's a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for a smooth transition:

8-12 weeks before moving:

  1. Notify important parties:
    • Update your address with the US Postal Service, banks, credit cards, loan providers, and other relevant institutions.
    • Inform your employer, school, or university about your address change.
  2. Start decluttering:
    • Begin sorting through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
    • Consider hosting a garage sale or selling items online.
  3. Measure your furniture:
    • Measure your furniture and the new home's rooms to ensure everything fits comfortably.

6-8 weeks before moving:

  1. Choose a moving company (if needed):
    • Research and compare moving companies, and book one that fits your needs and budget.
    • Make sure to read reviews and check their licenses and insurance.
  2. Pack non-essential items:
    • Start packing items you don't use frequently, such as seasonal decorations, off-season clothing, or books.
    • Use sturdy boxes, packing paper, and labels to protect your belongings.

4-6 weeks before moving:

  1. Pack most items:
    • Continue packing most of your belongings, leaving only essentials like clothing, toiletries, and important documents.
    • Label boxes by room and priority to make unpacking easier.
  2. Arrange for utilities:
    • Schedule disconnections for your current utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.) and connections for your new home.
    • Set up new accounts or transfer existing ones to your new address.

2-4 weeks before moving:

  1. Pack a "first night" box:
    • Prepare a box with essentials like toiletries, towels, bedding, and a change of clothes for each person.
    • This will come in handy on moving day when you might not have time to unpack everything.
  2. Confirm moving details:
    • Reconfirm the moving date, time, and details with your moving company (if applicable).
    • Make sure you have all necessary documents, such as receipts and inventory lists.

1-2 weeks before moving:

  1. Pack a "tool kit":
    • Prepare a small box with tools like a screwdriver, pliers, and a wrench to help with assembly and disassembly of furniture.
  2. Defrost and clean appliances:
    • Defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer, and oven to ensure they're in good condition for the move.

Moving day:

  1. Double-check everything:
    • Verify that all utilities are disconnected and reconnected at your new home.
    • Check that all boxes are loaded and accounted for.
  2. Take final meter readings:
    • Record the final meter readings for your old home to avoid any disputes when you move out.

After moving:

  1. Unpack essentials:
    • Unpack the "first night" box and essentials like toiletries, towels, and bedding.
  2. Update your address:
    • Notify your friends, family, and online services about your new address.
    • Update your address with your bank, credit card company, and other relevant institutions.

Remember to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and take breaks to avoid burnout. Good luck with your move!