Moving can be an exciting time, but it’s also a lot of work. Beyond the obvious jobs like packing and cleaning your entire house, lots of additional tasks must be accomplished to ensure a smooth transition to your new address. Here’s a guide.
Get organized. One of the best ways to stay on top of the monumental task of moving is to have a plan and stay organized. Experts suggest using a binder to keep all important moving documents, such as inventories, receipts, and checklists, in one place.
Kids first. If your children will be changing schools, make sure to register them at the new school as soon as possible. Visit the current school and doctor’s offices to arrange to have records transferred. It’s also a good idea to make your own copies of important records, just in case.
Address notifications. Go to the local post office or visit https://moversguide.usps.com to file a change of address form. The post office will take care of forwarding your mail to your new address. Once that’s done, take care of other official notifications. The department of motor vehicles and voter registration are two examples. Don’t forget to notify other important entities such as your employer, bank, and credit card companies. Most of these notifications can be done online via account settings, but for some you’ll need to call or visit an office. Alert friends and family members via email or postcard.
Switch services. If you plan on having the same service providers for phone, internet, and television, you may be able to transfer your service to your new address. Call your providers about a month before your move date.
Turn off utilities. Make sure that water, sewer, electric, and gas services are either turned off or transferred to the new owner before you vacate the property. If possible, arrange for these services at your new address at the same time. Do this about a month in advance.
Reroute deliveries. Though the post office will forward your mail, you’ll need to arrange to have any regular deliveries sent to your new address. If you receive newspapers and magazines or deliveries of subscription items, such as Amazon Pantry or Blue Apron, it’s best to update the address with the company to avoid problems or lost shipments. For magazines especially, you’ll want to do this early — at least six weeks before your move.
Leave your home in great shape. Thoroughly clean and inspect your house before you leave to ensure it’s in great condition. Make any repairs before you go. If necessary, defrost the freezer and clean the oven a few days before the move.
Last-minute tasks. Confirm the arrangements with your moving company, including your method of payment. It’s also helpful to make sure your car is prepped for the trip and has a full tank of gas. Before you go, stop by the pharmacy and refill any prescriptions you might need. If you’re changing banks, don’t forget to take items out of a safe-deposit box.
