Purchasing a home is an exciting time in your life, no matter if it’s your first house or your fifth. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. However, the actual act of moving might not be everyone’s favorite thing to do. There are moments when it can feel stressful, but that’s why Logan Homes has put together a checklist for our homebuyers to ensure your moving experience is as smooth as possible.
#1 Set up your utilities early
Once you have your move-in date set, there’s no better time to set up the utilities you’ll need to use the first day in your new home. Double check your electricity, gas, sewer and water first, and then move on to figuring out your internet and trash.
This is also a great time to think about the services you’ll need to cancel at your current apartment or house so you don’t end up paying extra after you move out.
#2 Walk through your neighborhood
Besides setting up your home utilities, you’ll also want to submit a change of address to the post office to let them know to forward your mail. This is also the perfect time to double check that you have cancelled any gym memberships and that you don’t have any laundry at a local dry cleaners. If you’re moving to a new area and are running low on a prescription or contacts, make an appointment before you leave to get a refill on anything you may need so you don’t have to worry about setting up a handful of appointments right when you get to your new home.
#3 Schedule help for moving day
If you’re moving out of a home and you have a number of beds, couches and tables, you may want to look into hiring a moving company for the big day. It’s never a bad idea to call multiple movers and get different quotes or thoughts from them to decide which direction to go.
On the other hand, if you have friends and family members who are more than capable and willing to help move you into your new home, keep them updated on the schedule so they know when you need them to be there. Moving can be stressful at times, and in the long run, having others along to help will make the move easier.
#4 Pack a moving day bag
Before you turn your music on and start packing up your kitchen, you’ll want to make sure you set aside a few sets of clothes, bathroom towels and any toiletries you use on a daily basis. Digging through boxes to find the toothbrush you accidentally packed too early wouldn’t be a fun way to start the moving process.
#5 Pack important items first
The first items you’ll want to make sure you get together are any birth certificates, passports, insurance papers, housing documents or any other important paperwork you’ll need before you leave your home. If you have everything in one spot right away, you won’t have to scramble to find anything when your home inevitably becomes filled with cardboard boxes. Keep them all together in a folder so when the time comes to move into your new home, you know you have everything you need.
#6 Label everything
Always label your moving boxes. This makes it easy on the movers and on yourself. All of your kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom boxes will make their way to the correct place right away, and you won’t waste any time looking for items that might have ended up on the complete opposite side of your home.
#7 Create a list of items you still need
If you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment to your first home, or simply moving to a larger home, you may find yourself needing additional furniture to fill the space. Once you’re finished going through everything you own, take inventory of what else you think you need.
It’s easier on your mind (and your wallet) if you have a list early on in the process and can buy items gradually instead of all at once. It also gives you more time to see if any family members or friends have some of the items you’re interested in or know someone who may be selling.
#8 Protect your floors
Moving large furniture items into a home can be difficult to say the least. Even with professional movers, some objects might be a bit uncomfortable to maneuver into your home—take this into account and lay down some tarps to protect your floors.
#9 Tip your movers
If you ended up hiring a moving company, it’s always a good gesture to tip and is definitely appreciated. If you’ve convinced your friends and family to help you through the day, celebrate by ordering some pizza for everyone and break in your new home with an impromptu dinner party.
#10 Unpack the essentials
It’ll take longer than one day to get your home set up, so when you first arrive, focus on the essentials. Set up your bed, unpack some towels and toiletries for your bathroom, fill your kitchen cupboards with some supplies you’ll surely need over the coming days and if you have curtains you’d like to hang up, we suggest getting those set up right away for some added privacy.
Even with these tips making your moving day easier, we know that it still isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do—so we’ve come up with an incredible solution for you. Contact us today and find out how your next move could be your last when you move to a home that has been expertly constructed especially for you—and built by our team at Logan Homes.