Moving into a new home can be exciting and, at the same time, stressful. We’re often exhilarated by the idea of living in a brand new surroundings, yet anxious about all the manual labor that it entails, from packing things to the very physical task of moving them into your new home.
Then there are the obligations you need to address before and after you move because forgetting about them could have extremely inconvenient consequences.
Let’s say you’re moving to another state, and when you and the professional movers you hired get there, you realize that the secure remote controller for your former home’s garage door opener is still in your car’s glove compartment. The hassle of having to return it is something you would not want to go through.
If you want everything about your relocation covered, you have to draw up a checklist of things to do. Here are some of the items your moving into a new home checklist should have.
Turn over all keys, including spare ones
Aside from the garage door opener remote, it would help if you also turned over to your landlord or the new owners all of your keys, including any spare that you usually leave under the rug or with the neighbors.
Once you get to your new home, you have the option to change all locks to the external doors, at least. Even if your new home’s former residents have turned over all keys to you, you have no idea whether or not they’re the only ones that exist. Changing the locks won’t cost you that much, and it will improve your security immensely.
Take measurements of your new home ahead of time
Are you sure that your favorite couch would fit through the doorway of your new home? How about that grand piano of yours? Does your new house have enough space to accommodate it?
Before you move into your new home, you need to know its dimensions. Measure everything that needs to be measured, so you’ll see if you can bring in all of your belongings or will have to leave some of them behind.
Secure all your documents
Have you availed of medical and dental services in your old city, or brought your pet to a vet? If the answer is yes, then make sure you get copies of your records from your doctor, dentist, and veterinarian because you are going to need them in your new city. Get copies of prescriptions from your pharmacist as well.
Disconnect and set up utilities
Ideally, you should notify your current gas, electric, cable, and Internet service providers that you’re relocating a few weeks before the actual move so they can schedule a disconnect date.
At the same time, make arrangements with utility service providers in your new city a few weeks in advance so everything will be up and running by the time you move there.
Forward your mail
If you don’t want your letters, bills, and packages delivered to your old address, then make sure you forward your snail mail before relocating. Just go to the United States Postal Service website to forward your mail to your new address.
Make sure all systems in your new home are working
As soon as you get to your new home, check the cooling and heating units as well as the plumbing to see if they’re all working. You have to test all electrical switches and outlets, too.
A checklist helps with just about anything, so make one for your relocation plans. You can start with the items mentioned above, then add more as you go along.
