Moving is one of the most stressful things that you can do in your life. Why add more stress to it? If you are preparing for a move, you should make sure that you have a game plan. Yes, there is a lot to navigate for moving day, but you will want to make sure you also have a game plan for when you arrive at your new space.
So, what should be the first thing on your to-do list? Check your electrical panel and your shut-off valves. If something were to happen in your first couple of days in the home, you will want to know where your access points are. Navigating a sudden power outage in a home you are familiar with is hard enough, let alone a space with new areas to move around and different things to bump into.
To ensure that you are connected to power, you will need to make sure you set up your utilities. There is so much going on in the first days of the move that these small tasks can be hard to remember. However, they are arguably the most important. Ideally, this task should be completed prior to the move to prevent any scrambling for your family to take a shower or make some ramen.
How many friends and family members have you given a spare key to in your previous home? Assume the previous owners of your new home have done the same. Prioritize changing your locks. Although you may be confident in the family that lived there before, you may not feel the same way about their teenage daughter’s band members that she gave each a key to. This is a small expense for huge peace of mind.
Have you been waiting on those coupons from your favorite candle store, and they have yet to arrive? Make sure you changed your address. You can set up a change of address with the post office. You will also need to notify any subscription services, loan providers and any other regular correspondence you receive. If this move is more than across town and you find yourself in a new state, you will need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area.
If you are moving out of your children’s school district, make sure you reach out to the new school to ensure the transfer paperwork made it. This also goes for your doctors. If you are having records transferred, make sure you check with them after you move. Waiting until your first appointment may result in you or your family not being seen as transfers can take a while. In this same vein, you will want to schedule any appointments in advance to ensure your doctor is a provider for your insurance or that they fit your needs. Additionally, some physicians may take longer to get an appointment with. It is better to prepare ahead of time than to cause a bigger headache later down the road.
If you have pets, it is important to register your pet at a new veterinarian’s office. Change is hard for us, but it can also be very confusing for our animals. Should they need to be seen during your transition period, it is best to plan. In any big move, there are a lot of moving pieces. It may be overwhelming, but take the time to handle the important tasks so you can enjoy your home that much sooner.
