After a long and arduous home-buying process, the anticipation of moving into your new home after you’ve made your purchase can be unbearable. You’ve spent months picturing your new life in a new space, and you want to do everything you can to ensure your move-in process is catastrophe-free.
Whether you’re a seasoned relocator or a first-time homebuyer, you may have already compiled a comprehensive checklist for moving into a new home. However, your laundry list of moving to-dos may not be enough to avert relocation-related disasters. Remember, being prepared for every possible hiccup will make the process painless, no matter what problems pop up along the way.
After a long day of fending off moving mishaps (i.e., dinged and dented furniture, moving company scams, etc.), you’ll want to curl up in your move-in-ready property. After all, packing, problem-solving, and pre-moving-day preparations can exhaust even veteran movers and shakers.
To maximize your post-move slumber, follow the tips and tricks below. After all, nothing disrupts sweet dreams quite like move-related messes, painfully cold showers, or a nonexistent Wifi connection awaiting you at sunrise.
Ensure your vehicle arrives quickly at your new property
As you’re moving into your new home, you’ll likely find yourself needing to run out to the store for misplaced tools and boxed-away necessities you can’t locate immediately. For short-distance moves, you’ll probably have your car handy, but long-distance moves may not come with that convenience. Luckily, auto shipping services can help deliver your car quickly if you’re transporting a car to another state.
Simply call an auto transport service to arrange a shipment, and they’ll pick your car up and deliver your vehicle to your new home in a safe and timely manner. They’ll conduct pre-and post-delivery inspections to ensure your vehicle hasn’t sustained damage along the way. Additionally, these auto shipping professionals remain in close contact with you throughout the process. Once you reach your final destination, you’ll have your vehicle locked and loaded for mid-day grocery store runs or trips to the local recycling center.
Have a contingency plan
Sometimes, the move-in process is delayed due to events out of your control. Your movers might suffer from vehicle troubles on the way to your home, or maybe the weather makes it challenging to stick to your move-in date. While you can cross your fingers and hope that everything goes according to plan, having a backup plan on standby can come in handy if you face unforeseen problems.
For example, if your move-in date needs to be pushed back a few days, locate a hotel nearby for a post-moving-day snooze. If your move-in date is pushed back even further for more significant issues like water damage or extended construction, have a plan to move into temporary housing, and find a storage facility nearby.
Complete repairs and cleaning before the move-in
If you’re moving into a pre-loved home, chances are you won’t be acquiring it in pristine condition. Though the previous owners may have taken time to clean and renovate before moving out, you should still deep clean your new home and take care of any issues. Use your inspection report to identify urgent repairs, and fix them before you move in. If you’re unable to clean your home yourself, hire a professional cleaning service. Nothing is worse than needing to pack your furniture back up after discovering that your carpets need shampooing or your roof leaks.
Transfer your utilities and internet service
As the sun begins to set after a long day of moving, there’s nothing you’ll want to do more than unwind with a shower, a nice celebratory meal, and maybe a movie. However, if you haven’t transferred your utilities to your new home, you’ll find it a little more challenging to de-stress after your busy day. Make sure you’ve called your water, gas, and electricity providers to begin service to your new home, and ensure your internet service is ready to be activated on your move-in date.
Prepare your current home for the move-out
While it isn’t easy to keep your current home organized as you’re preparing to move out, you can make the moving out process easier on your movers. Keep the floors clear of any clutter, and stack all boxes in the corner furthest away from the door. Your movers will then be able to navigate your space quickly, especially if they’re using a dolly cart or a similar tool. Ensure your children and pets don’t enter any highly trafficked areas so the movers aren’t distracted and can move around freely.
Arrive before your movers
Your movers are there to help, but they won’t know the ins and outs of how you want your home laid out. Arriving at your new home before they do ensures you’ll be there to direct boxes and furniture into the rooms you want them in. You’ll also be able to stake out the area in front of your home to secure it and move any obstacles out of the way. At this stage, it’s essential to make the moving process as efficient as possible so you can begin unpacking and settling into your new home.
The bottom line
Moving can be stressful, so it’s critical to take the time to prepare accordingly for moving-day chaos. Packing and moving boxes aren’t the only essential steps in setting up your new home, so ensure that all pieces are in place for a painless move. The more efficiently you plan, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy your fresh start.
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