Top Tips for Moving House
For many homeowners, moving day might just be the most dreaded day of the whole experience of buying and selling a home. Moving is generally stressful, but by giving yourself ample time to complete a few things prior to moving, will help reduce some of the stress. Do not wait until the last second to do some of the routine, boring, or sometimes overlooked or not even thought about things. Here are some tips to make your moving day quick, affordable and simple.
As soon as you have a moving date set, you should begin making plans. Though you might not know where to start, it’s important to start making a list of what items you’ll need to move and how many boxes you might need to accomplish the task.
One month before moving or as soon as you know you will be moving, you should fill out an IRS Change of Address form. You can do this by calling 1-800-829-1040. Don’t forget to also fill out the Post Office Change of Address form! You should also begin to gather boxes and other moving supplies needed. Be sure to make your travel arrangements if you are moving far away. Rent a moving truck or hire a moving company. It’s important to shop around for your movers in order to get a company who charges a fair price and has great experience. Look for reviews online and ask your friends for recommendations.
If you have an idea of how many items you need to move, you can also call around to different companies and start getting estimates for price comparison. If you’re planning to have friends and family help you move, enlist them early on and make sure they’ve saved your moving date. Be sure to gather any and all important paperwork and put it in a safe place that is easily located. Notify all doctors, banks, and billing companies of your new address. Keep all receipts from moving because moving expenses are tax deductable!
Two weeks before moving, call the gas, electric, water, cable, and trash removal companies to let them know about your move and sign up for services at your new address. Remind friends and family about your move and so they don’t forget they offered to help! Make sure travel arrangements are in place. Figure out what you need to pack.
Begin to make lists of what you’ll need to move and start throwing out things that you no longer need. You may want to consider holding a garage sale or donating items to charity. Getting rid of things before you move can save you trouble on moving day and will also help you to keep your new home looking clean.
Organize your boxes while you’re packing. Make sure to put like items together. It’s also helpful to label boxes with the room they are supposed to go in. On moving day, you can then put the boxes directly into the rooms they will ultimately belong in, which saves you time later as you unpack.
The day before moving be sure to gather moving materials like boxes, duck tape, scissors, and markers. Get together everything you need for traveling including tickets, credit cards, and ID’s. Pick up the rental truck or plan when the movers will arrive, or schedule a time for friends and family to meet you at your home. You may also want to plan a place for pets and kids to spend the day. With your schedule in place, you’ll be ready to start moving!
