When moving day is around the corner, you probably feel like your to-do list is a mile long. As you plan, schedule, pack and organize for hours each day, it’s easy to let something important things slip through the cracks. That’s why it’s essential to have a complete checklist to work from.
Here are five things to ensure you have on your list to complete before your residential move day.
1. Shut-Off and Connect Utilities
Imagine arriving in your new home, only to realize that there’s no power or hot water or that you’ll have to wait a few weeks for the cable company to set up service. Avoid this scenario by setting up utilities before you move.
Start by contacting your current utility providers about a month before moving day. Let them know when you’ll be out of the house and cease service on that day.
Next, contact the utility providers at your new address. Arrange for services to start the day before you move in. Consider setting up appointments for cable, phone, or internet hook-ups well in advance, as these may require some lead time.
Utilities to consider might include:
- Electricity
- Natural gas
- Water
- Sewer
- Trash
- Recycling
- Cable television
- Internet
2. Request School and Medical Records
Before you leave town, request school records. Often, such documents must be picked up or signed for in person. This is much easier to do before you’re in a different part of town— or another state.
The same applies to medical documents. Contact your healthcare provider directly to find out how to obtain records for yourself and your children or to transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new location.
3. Transfer or Close Financial Accounts
Before you move, contact your bank, credit card providers, and other financial institutions that hold your accounts and let them know about your change of address. If you bank with a large institution with multiple branches, you might not need to close your accounts.
However, if your bank doesn’t have a branch in your new locale, you may want to close your account and transfer your business to a bank in your new hometown. Give yourself plenty of time to set up new accounts, so you don’t find yourself unable to access your funds during the move.
4. Set Up Mail Forwarding
A few weeks before moving day, change your address and set up mail forwarding through the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS’s website makes the process easy; simply fill out the necessary forms.
You’ll be able to choose a date to start having mail forwarded. You may need to pay a small fee to take care of this task online.
5. Empty Your Fridge (And Eat From the Pantry)
Unless you’re just moving across town, you can’t take perishable food with you. So before moving day, make a plan and start eating the food from your fridge and freezer. You may also want to use up any opened food items in your pantry.
Moving Help
Moving has many moving parts, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking care of these essential tasks before the big day will help smooth the process. We can help ease your moving stress. Contact us today for a free quote.