When you are preparing to move, you may think, “This is easy. I can get all of this done in a couple of weekends.” You might want to get out of that way of thinking. One thing is for sure and that is that moving typically always involves more and takes longer than you estimate (ain’t that the truth?!). It’s best to plan ahead and be smart. There are the typical packing and organizing that you can do before moving, but there is so much more to it than that. For example, if you’re looking at houses for sale in SE Calgary, you’ll want to be sure you’ve got everything squared away and researched before loading up your own truck and starting the haul.
Energy
You will need to have the energy turned on in your new place before you can move in. Now, most places will only give you a single option for our energy provider – such as Mobile, AL, where you have to have Alabama Power or nothing at all.
However, there are deregulated areas. In a deregulated area, such as Illinois, you are able to choose which energy provider you use. You don’t have to stay with the provider that will automatically be assigned to you, be it Comed Energy or another company. Compare rates and go with your best choice.
Bedding
One of the best tips for moving is to make sure that you know where the bedding that you will need immediately is. Put your sheets and towels that you will be needing your first night in a single dresser drawer so that they will be easy to locate. There is no sense in having to look through countless boxes and bags looking for them when you are already exhausted from the move.
Renovations and Repairs
Another great tip for moving is to check out the new place and make sure that any repairs or renovations are completed before you move in. You can do this yourself if you have the time or you might hire someone to do it for you if you can afford the additional expense. Before the move is also a good time to do any repainting if you are looking for freshly painted walls when you move in.
Change of Address
Remember that you will have to let businesses you deal with have your new address (including your bank and credit card companies). You can do this easily by visiting IamMoving.com. This is a free service online that will allow you to make sure that all of your address details are changed at one time. This site will also allow for stopping services at the address that you are leaving and starting it at the new one. This is ideal for things like utilities.
Reserve Elevators
If you happen to be moving to an apartment or condominium or moving out of one, you might want to schedule a day to move with the building management. Typically, large condos and apartment complexes will require that an elevator is reserved for people who are moving in or out. It is best to do this well ahead of time because you might not be the only person moving in or out on that particular day. There might also be a fee that will have to be paid for having maintenance men from the building to oversee the move.
Delivery Services
A couple of weeks before you move, you might want to set the date that you will discontinue any delivery services that you have. Think things like milk, newspapers, laundry and or dry cleaning here. If you happen to be making a move to an entirely new state, your real estate broker might be able to give you a bit of advice on finding these services if you will require them in your new town. Keep in mind that it might save you a bit of money if you stop and then restart your newspaper service rather than canceling it and then re-subscribing when you get to the new place.
Some other things to consider are what you will need to do if you happen to be moving with your pets and your plants. Both of them will require a few special precautions.
Moving can be a time of intense stress. If you follow these tips before your move, you can make it as stress-free as possible.
