The big move is around corner. Your old house is almost empty and your new home is waiting to welcome you. But before you pack your furniture into the moving van and squeeze the rest of your prized possessions into your car, there are a few things you need to do to make sure the move happens without a hitch. To best prepare for settling into your new abode, read our guide of things to do before (or as soon as) you move.
Change/update your address
To ensure that your bills, subscriptions and other mail are re-directed to your new home. You don’t want to miss a month or two of statements or your favourite magazine. Also remember to inform your bank, car insurance company and any other financial companies you deal with so they can update their records.
Make sure your new home is insured
And if you have an existing home insurance policy reassess it and make sure that it covers you during the move. Also contact your insurance company to update your address, and to find out how you’ll be covered in the case of loss or damage of your items during and after the move.
Pest-proof your new home
Inspect your new home again a few days before moving in to check whether any pests are living there. Even if you can’t see any bugs on the surface, it’s best to fumigate your home before moving in.
Take meter readings
The day before moving in to ensure that you will not be paying for water, electricity and gas that you didn’t use. Also find out who your utilities company is so you can inform them and send them the reading.
Change the locks
This is not a must, but better safe than sorry, right? If you’re moving into a pre-owned home there might be spare keys that match your locks that weren’t returned to the previous owners.
Identify emergency exists in your new home and get an emergency kit together
Make sure that once you and the rest of your family move in, everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. The kit should be stored in an accessible place that is known to everyone and have emergency numbers attached. A lot of little mishaps take place during the moving process so the first-aid kit might come in handy.
Find a child minder for moving day
The moving process is tiring and stressful so you’ll have very little time to watch or entertain the kids. Organise for the baby sitters to take them out on the day or drop them off at a friend’s or family member’s house until the chaos is over.
Draw up an inventory
Make a list of everything that you are moving – label boxes according to rooms so that unpacking will be easy; also an inventory will help you keep track of everything that you have so that you do not misplace anything.
Bonus tips:
Moving house is also a great time to get organised, update and renovate. Take advantage of your empty home by spring-cleaning; painting the walls and ceilings; installing new window treatments, switch plates and devices or getting the mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced.
Are you or have you moved house? What is/was on your to-do list? Please share your experiences with us in the comments section below.
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