The hunt is over. You’ve finally found your ideal home, completed the contract exchange and sorted out your mortgage. All that’s left for you to do is to move in but is it truly as simple as it sounds?
There may be a lot of things you have already planned for like your timeline for moving day, arranging for pet care, cleaning the place of debris and dust, getting your new home blessed and more.
On the other hand, there might be things you may not have accounted for like letting your cable supplier know you are moving or changing your address on documents or getting everything ready for the big move; the list goes on.
Don’t let such things catch you off guard. Our ultimate checklist is here to guide you through every step of the moving process.
Let’s take a look!
1. Make Improvements to The New Space Before You Move In
It’d be a dream to move into a new place without having to make a single change. But, that may not be the case as you may have to make some modifications and customisations as per your needs and personal preferences.
Usually, kitchen renovation is the big one so partner with the best kitchen remodelling experts to get the job done fast. If you plan to splurge a bit, take note of all the updates you wish to make and get that sorted before D-Day. If you want to repaint your new home, do it before moving in. It will save you from moving or covering your furniture whilst the painting is on.
Adding an extension, converting the garage and making energy efficient improvements are some common updates you should look into before moving into a new home.
2. Clean The New House In Advance
There will be loads of boxes and furniture lying around your new house as you start unpacking and putting things in place. In this case, it will be difficult for you to clean your new home thoroughly.
Additionally, moving boxes from one place to another, during the cleaning process will be more time-consuming and physically taxing. It would be wise to clean the house well in advance, allowing you to start with the unpacking and organisation as soon as you move in.
Prep well in advance, get all the cleaning items and give the entire space a good scrub. You can also look into hiring professional cleaners to save yourself some time and effort on top of all the things that you need to do.
3. Review Floor Plans and Aesthetics Carefully
Taking the time to review floor plans and aesthetics will allow you to visualise how your furniture and belongings can be arranged in your new home. It will also give you an idea of whether your existing furniture will fit in a certain room.
You also need to consider whether your current fittings furniture decor items and other paraphernalia will complement the aesthetics of the new space Measuring the floor will help you understand the dimensions of each room. Once you get an idea regarding the space available, you can place your items in a way that’s functional and convenient.
Your placements should be such that it does not disrupt the flow of your living space and offer you and your loved ones maximum comfort and convenience.
4. Donate, Sell, or Discard Unwanted Items
We understand that parting ways with some of your cherished belongings is going to be difficult. However, one of the smartest and most cost-effective methods to declutter your new space would be getting rid of all the unwanted items before you move in.
Identify and segregate items that are no longer useful and don’t fit your present lifestyle. Take stock of items that have been sitting in storage for ages collecting dust. Depending on the condition of the items, you can either discard, sell or donate them.
New beginnings call for a deep clean. It is the perfect time to go on an organisational spree as you begin your new life in your new home.
5. Acquire Moving Boxes and Supplies
Before hopping on the packing process, it’s important to have all your packing essentials ready. These supplies will mostly include packing boxes and materials like tape, bubble wrap, packing papers, furniture covers, cutters, scissors, etc.
Keeping these items and tools handy will help you streamline your packing process without wasting time. Additionally, to avoid hoarding unwanted boxes, you can make an estimate of the number and sizes of boxes you will need before purchasing them.
Make a list of things you’ll need and be sure to account for special arrangements for packing fragile items.
6. Arrange Utility Transfers and Installations
Amongst other things, you need to be careful about transferring and setting up your utilities such as electricity, water, gas, internet, cable, phone, security, satellite and trash removal. P
roper transfer and installation of these utilities will help you settle into your new home comfortably. To simplify the process, you can make a list of your existing utility providers.
Also, check if they provide these services at your new location. If not, you can search for new service providers and discuss your needs with them well in advance.
7. Decide How You Are Going To Move
Selecting the right mode of transportation to move your items is an important decision whilst moving homes. Your choice will depend on your budget, the capacity of your belongings and your level of involvement in the moving process.
There are multiple options to choose from such as a full-service moving company, DIY rental truck, moving containers, or labour-only movers. Select the most suitable option depending on your budget, availability of time not to mention, your overall convenience.
If hiring professional movers, be sure to make your bookings in advance.
8. Update Your Address and Set Up Forwarding Mail
Updating your address and setting up a mail forwarding service before moving, will ensure that you continue to receive important documents, bills and correspondence without delay.
Notify your bank, employer and any subscription services you are enrolled in about the address change. Update your address on your driver’s licence and other ID cards to avoid any legal issues.
Additionally, let your utility providers, insurance companies and healthcare providers know about your new address to prevent any disruptions in service or communication.
9. Have Extra Cash on Hand
You may have meticulously planned your budget and accounted for all the possible expenses as you move into your new home. However, shifting to a new place often comes with surprises and situations, bringing with it, the need for extra money.
Having some extra cash readily available can be incredibly beneficial here. Additionally, if you have hired professional movers to assist with the heavy lifting and transportation, you can show appreciation for their hard work with a tip.
To Sum It Up
Moving into a new home is very exciting with the prospect of starting afresh making us happy. At the same time, the experience can be draining and tiring, with so many things to take care of.
Make the process of moving into your new home comfortable and simple with this handy checklist. From the early stages of planning and packing to the final moments of unpacking and settling in, these tips will be your guiding light.
Once you have handled the move efficiently, you can sit back, relax and unwind. Drink in your new surroundings knowing that you have successfully entered a new chapter in your life.