What are the items you need to take care of a week or two prior to your big move? Keep reading to unpack seven things that require your attention before you hit the road. If you fail to address these seven items, you may increase your moving-related headaches, as well as incur a few unexpected expenses.
1. Contact Local Utility Companies
Don’t neglect to contact your current utility companies to inform them of your upcoming move, including the last date you’ll need service at your current residence. Likewise, you need to contact the utility companies you’ll be needing after you move to ensure uninterrupted service. Utilities include items you need for your home, such as electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, and trash services. Be aware that some utility companies require a monetary deposit for new customers. In addition, your current utility companies will need to know where to send your final bill if you use paper billing.
2. Cancel Miscellaneous Contracted Services
Make a list of the companies with whom you currently have contracted services. For example, lawn mowing, yard maintenance, newspaper delivery, cable television, internet, house cleaning, dog walking, babysitting, and TV satellite are a few services that you might have. You’ll need to make your current contracted service providers aware of your upcoming move and cancel your subscription to them. If you fail to terminate your services, you might end up with a few unexpected bills.
3. Make Small Home Repairs
Even if your current home is in great shape, there will still be small repairs to take care of. For example, be sure to fill the nail holes in your walls that remain after you take down wall decor. A spackling compound works well to fill small holes. You may also need to use touch-up paint that matches your wall color to finish the repair. If you’ve sold your home and the buyer has hired a home inspector, don’t delay in completing the repairs to your home that you’ve mutually agreed upon. Likewise, if you’re renting your current residence, take care of carpet stains and any other damage you’re responsible for to ensure you get your deposit returned to you.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance company that you’re moving to a new location. Cancel your current homeowner’s policy on a specific date and start up a new policy on the residence you’re moving to. You may even be entitled to a prorated refund on your current policy. If you’re financing a new home, the mortgage company will require your insurance company to provide them with proof of a new homeowner’s policy that meets their requirements. You’ll also need to contact your insurance company if you’re renting a new residence so they can make appropriate adjustments to your renter’s policy.
5. Inform Your Kids’ Schools
Don’t forget to visit each of your kids’ schools to inform them of your upcoming move. Speak to the school secretary or another appropriate school representative to let them know the last day your kids will attend their current schools. You may pick up current academic and medical records the schools have on each of your children so they can take them to their new school. Or, sometimes the schools might fax or send the records by mail if you already know the new schools that your children are planning to attend.
6. Begin Your Final Cleaning
Whether you’re selling your home or renting, you’re typically responsible for leaving the residence clean and in good repair. A good time to begin your final cleaning is one to two weeks before your anticipated moving date. You can start by wiping down empty kitchen and bathroom cabinets, scrubbing the inside of your refrigerator and oven, and sweeping your garage, patios, and decks. Wait until everything is moved out of your house before tackling the floors and carpets. The more cleaning you can get done before moving day, the less you’ll have to worry about later.
7. Finish Packing
Unless you’ve hired a company to pack your personal belongings, you should have most of the items in your home packed when you’re down to one to two weeks before moving day. Now is the time to purchase disposable dinnerware to use until you move. This allows you to finish packing your dishes, silverware and other kitchen-related items. Microwavable foods, fresh fruits, sandwiches, and other quick meals can make your lives easier during this busy time. You can also budget to eat out more often the last few days before moving day arrives.
When you plan, you’re doing yourself a big favor by taking care of important moving-related items in advance of your actual moving day. Not only does this take some of the mental stress off your shoulders, but it also allows you to reserve your energy and time for moving day issues. Take care of the seven items you read in this article a week or two before your actual moving date. You’ll be glad you did.
No comments found.