How To Plan And Prepare For Moving Home

By March 21, 2014October 28th, 2018News & Articles
Moving Home Checklist

MOVING! The very thought of it can send chills down our spines and cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that any kind of “change” creates “stress”. Moving, and especially if we are relocating to a new city or country, represents a huge change and naturally brings a great amount of stress along with it. This can be a double whammy, because stress can lead to a lack of energy and motivation. This is one time, though, when we must rise above that.

When preparing for a move we need to put the pedal to the metal and get a lot of things done. This checklist contains many suggestions that may seem like “no-brainers”. However, the very act of printing out these simple suggestions and reminders can become a significant security blanket as the dreaded time approaches. Moving and relocating calls for being proactive, grabbing the bull by the horns and actually completing certain chores well in advance of their deadlines.

In this particular article we are leaving out the “big things” such as finding the best moving company, researching your new area’s transport, parking, employment, etc. Those are for other articles on another day. Today we are concentrating on the basics of planning and preparation.

1. Get rid of what you don’t need.

Many of us are “pack rats”. One thing that we can accomplish immediately is going through all of our “stuff” and getting rid of what we don’t need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and bric-a-brac from one house to another is a great waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in control we feel once we start narrowing down our “inventory” to what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items can be done by having a car boot sale, or advertising items on Gumtree, long before moving time and then donating the leftovers to a charity shop.

2. Get all of your important papers and documents together and secure them.

Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we absolutely must not lose or misplace should be hand carried, not put in a box for the movers:

Address Books, Birth Certificates, Bank Statements, Check Books, Credit Cards and Statements, Home Movies, Irreplaceable Memorabilia, Insurance Policies, Marriage Records, Medical and Dental Records, Military Records, Passports, Photos and Photo Albums, Resumes, School Records, Stock Certificates, Tax Returns, Telephone Numbers, Valuables, Vehicle Documents, Wills.

3. Prepare well in advance for living at your new location.

There are many things that we can do at our new location well in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs:

Open new bank accounts. Contact the utility companies and arrange for your new services. These can include your TV subscriptions, gas, electric, oil, telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical providers. Contact your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.

4. As the time approaches, get a nice new notebook.

As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually begins, you don’t want to be hunting for phone numbers in wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new notepad ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and legibly for both your old and new contacts: Banks, Doctors, Emergency contacts, Family members, Friends, Landlords or Estate Agents, Moving Companies, Chemists, Schools, Storage Facilities, Utilities.

With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though never fun, can at least be sane. With proper planning and preparation the utilities at your present address can be disconnected the day after you move and the utilities at your new address can be connected the day prior to your arrival. With proper planning and preparation you will not be frantically searching for a new doctor or chemist, if that unfortunate need arises. With proper planning and preparation you will have all of your important documents at the tip of your fingers at all times. With proper planning and preparation your mail will start arriving the day after you move in and your life will endure a minimum of chaos and clutter.

Good luck with your move and good luck in your new home!

CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

To arrange a free initial consultation with Morgans, please contact us on telephone number 01383 620222, or alternatively complete the short form below and a member of our staff will get back to you as quickly as possible…

Error: Contact form not found.