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Phinnie Zahareas is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She works as a project manager and professional organizer for a moving company in Louisiana. She’s managed dozens of moving jobs — from tiny houses to sprawling office buildings — and aims to make relocations easier for everyone. In addition to her work in the moving industry, she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans, where she walks her two spotted dogs along the Mississippi River every evening.
Make a checklist for pre-move and post-move tasks — these will range from hiring a cleaner to enrolling kids in a new school.
Find your new home’s safety features including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and circuit breakers.
Unpack room by room, starting with essentials and then adding personal touches.
Moving into a new home is a thrilling milestone. But let’s face it, amid the excitement, the whirlwind of tasks and decisions can weigh down on you.
Hiring movers, changing your address and remembering to buy toilet paper for the bathroom is a lot. “It can be hard to remember everything on your mental to-do list in the least stressful circumstances,” said Elisa Cool Murphy, a Realtor in New Orleans. Add the stress of moving, and the chances of you ticking off all the tasks drop dramatically.
That’s why making a moving checklist that breaks down everything from calling for mover quotes to setting up utilities in your new house can make move-in day a breeze.
Start your moving process by researching and getting quotes from moving companies.
Preparing to move into a new house can be overwhelming. A detailed checklist will help you accomplish your goals.
Here are the most important items to include on a new home checklist.
Getting your moving plans in order should be the first thing on your to-do list, regardless of whether you’re driving the moving truck or hiring professionals. We recommend getting quotes from at least three of the best moving companies to compare costs and find the best fit for your needs. By booking professional movers early, you can secure a good deal, reserve your preferred moving dates and avoid last-minute hassles.
Do your homework and find out if you need to make special arrangements for your move. “Most buildings have restrictions on moving times and procedures you must follow,” said Cool Murphy. “For example, weekend moves are prohibited in a lot of buildings and parking permits may be required.”
Start sourcing packing supplies to cut down on moving expenses. Many businesses, such as grocery stores and liquor stores, give away cardboard boxes. You can also explore social media for tips. People often offer free packing supplies on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace right after they’ve moved to a new house. You can snag everything from moving boxes to bubble wrap.
Giving notice to your job or landlord should be a top priority. Generally, two weeks’ notice is standard when leaving a job. Speaking to your employer early on helps with a smooth transition, maintains professionalism and secures a positive reference for future opportunities.
When it comes to landlords, you are legally obligated to disclose if you’re breaking a lease agreement. Doing so will help with preparations prior to move-out day. It will also give you a chance to deal with any outstanding issues, such as repainting walls back to white if you got carried away with a DIY accent wall. Most leases require at least a 30-day notice. Review your lease agreement for an exact timeline.
Part ways with unnecessary items as soon as possible. Disposing or donating unwanted items saves time and energy when you start packing, as you’ll only be dealing with items you genuinely need or cherish.
Toss anything broken and donate clothes that no longer fit. A good rule to follow: If you haven’t used it in six months to a year — let it go. Selling items and furnishings can reduce the volume of belongings you need to transport, potentially lowering moving costs, especially if you plan on hiring a cross country mover.
A couple of weeks before the move, complete a change of address form with the United States Postal Service (USPS). You can complete the form online, by phone or in person at your local post office. Choose the starting date for mail forwarding to align with when you take possession of your new home or rental.
In addition to changing your address with the USPS, update your billing addresses for your bank, credit cards and utility providers. “Don’t forget to change your address on subscription services,” Cool Murphy added. Otherwise, the new residents might be getting free groceries or dog treats on your account.
Schedule the transfer of utilities three weeks before your move to ensure uninterrupted service upon arrival at your new home. Contact utility companies such as electricity, water, gas, internet, cable and phone services.
Schedule transfers to coincide with your move-in date or a day or two before so that services are active when you arrive. Keep documentation of these arrangements for your records. If you’re moving from a current residence, remember to schedule disconnection of services to avoid unnecessary billing.
Scheduling the locksmith for closing day at your new home is a prudent step that supports security and peace of mind from the moment you take possession. “You might end up with a drawer full of unidentified keys from the previous owners and you will feel more secure if you change the locks,” Cool Murphy said.
Gather medical and school records before you move, ideally several weeks in advance, to facilitate a seamless transition and continuity of care for your family.
Medical records contain information about your health history, medications, allergies and treatments, which healthcare providers need for ongoing care. By collecting medical records before you move, you can avoid delays or disruptions in accessing medical services. To facilitate the process, ask if your new healthcare provider can request access to electronic records.
Similarly, obtaining education records for your children allows for a smooth transition into a new school system, providing educators with important information about your child’s academic progress, special needs and educational requirements.
Packing a first-night bag is a good idea because it will take some time to unpack everything once you arrive at your new home.
Cool Murphy recommends adding these items:
You know to do a final walkthrough before you close on a new home, but you’ll also want to do one for your own house before you move out.
Conduct a thorough inspection inside and outside the property. Here are some spots to focus on:
Once you make it to your new home, you’ll probably do little more than crash in the living room and order pizza. Don’t expect to do anything of real value on your first day. Ease into the new space by tackling these tasks during the first week at your new residence.
Knowing the location of shut-off valves for water and gas allows you to quickly respond to emergencies such as leaks and gas odors. You should know where circus breakers are and how they work so that you’ll be more comfortable if any electrical issues arise. Consider labeling your circuit breaker at this time, too, Cool Murphy recommended. Note that some older homes that were built before the 1950s may still have knob and tube wiring.
Whether you hire professionals, get help from family or move all your belongings, make sure that boxes are placed in the room where they will be unpacked. For instance, the boxes with pots and pans should be in the kitchen, boxes with pillows should be in the bedroom and so on. You’ll save a lot of time when you start unpacking.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors serve as early warning systems for potentially life-threatening situations. Smoke alarms alert you to smoke, indicating a fire, while carbon monoxide detectors sense the presence of odorless, colorless gas, which can be deadly if undetected. Check these devices right away. This is also the time to purchase a fire extinguisher if you don’t already have one.
Within the first couple of days in your new home, you should create an emergency escape plan for unexpected events such as fires, natural disasters or other emergencies that may require evacuation. This plan should include designated escape routes, meeting points outside the home and procedures for alerting emergency services.
Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration with your new address to ensure that your records are up to date for legal and administrative purposes. Some states may have specific deadlines for updating this information and failure to do so may result in fines.
Walk the exterior of your property and take a closer look at the landscaping. “Check on any small maintenance issues like overgrown vines, chipped paint, or cracked siding,” Cool Murphy said. “You’re looking for small issues that don’t need immediate attention but could become problems down the line.” Keep this list in a small notebook, recheck every three to six months and schedule maintenance as needed.
There’s no need to run out and buy everything you need all at once. However, the following essentials will make your transition easier.
Unpack and stock your kitchen with the basics to start cooking meals sooner rather than later. This will help you cut down on take-out costs. Here’s what you should have in stock:
You don’t need to have a candlelit bath just yet, but a well-stocked bathroom will make the space functional and comfortable. Here’s what you should start with:
You’re going to need quality rest after the move. Be sure to have the following essentials to create a peaceful sleeping space:
A basic tool kit will prepare you to handle various tasks after the move and ongoing maintenance of your living space. The following items will help you be ready:
Now that you’ve settled into your new space by unpacking the basics, add personal touches to make it truly yours. Perhaps you’ll want to repaint a room or add peel-and-stick wallpaper to the inside of a coat closet for a pop of color. Hang up and display photos. Allocate decorating time to make steady progress without overwhelming yourself.
Don’t forget to focus on your new neighborhood. Join community groups on Facebook or Nextdoor. Find a place to work out and get your hair done. “If you need recommendations, ask your real estate agent,” Cool Murphy added. “The relationship doesn’t have to end at closing.”
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
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