21 Things To Do Before Moving In Or Out

1. The Move Is Over, It's All Downhill From Here!
2. Checking Your Inventory: Post Delivery
3. Set Up Utilities to Make Your Home Habitable
4. Setting Up Your Essentials
5. Getting Organized After a Move: This Can Be Fun!
6. Home Inspection
7. Locate the Fuses and Water Valves
8. Security: Safety Should Always Be A Priority
9. Child Safety Is Number One
10. Get Out Your Major Appliances
11. Keep Getting Boxes Out of the Way
12. Recycle What You Don't Need
13. Cleaning the Home: A Fresh Start
14. Take Care of Any Pets You Have
15. Be Sure to Inform Everyone/Post Office of Your Address Change
16. Schools for Children: This Should Be Done Before the Move...
17. Get You & Your Family Set Up With a Health Care Plan
18. Register All Your Vehicles
19. Sit Down & Take a Look at Your Financial Status: Post Move
20. Getting Your Home to Look Nice: Don't Forget to Have a Good Time!
21. Establish Yourself in the Neighborhood & Meet Folks
22. When All Is Said and Done, Leave a Review to Share Your Experience

1. The Move Is Over, It's All Downhill From Here!

So, you have completed a successful move. Congratulations! After the move is complete, things will begin to get much easier. You can begin to focus on starting up your new life in your new home. You should take the time after the move is over to treat yourself for a job well done. After all, everybody knows how hard it is to successfully execute a move.

Even though celebration may be in order, there is some more business to take care of before popping the cork on a bottle of champagne. The things that still need doing will require immediate attention and should not be put off. A housewarming party will be the perfect time to celebrate your new home, but schedule it for a few weeks after the move. You need time to settle down and take care of business first. With the moving checklist provided by Moving Authority, you will be more than ready to get settled in your home.

2. Checking Your Inventory: Post Delivery

Of course, you have an inventory of all the items you moved. You created it before the movers even got there. Right? Well, let's assume that you did because that is the smart thing to do after all. Open each box after they are unloaded from the truck and confirm that all items are there. If you find that an item from your inventory is missing, let the crew know immediately. Make sure it was not left in the truck by mistake. This also goes for a damaged item.

If the movers leave and you discover that there is damage, take note on it. You should be looking for clear signs of physical damage or poor treatment. As soon as you find something, contact the moving company. Doing this will make things go a lot smoother. Make sure you choose a good and reliable moving company from the beginning. This will make it much easier to solve issues like this when they arise. If the moving company is not being compliant, then you should file a complaint against them.

3. Set Up Utilities to Make Your Home Habitable

Write down the readings for all outdoor water and power meters. These can be used in the event of a dispute later on. Before you move, you should set up an appointment for utilities at the new location. If this has not been done, then do it immediately. You should do essentials such as water and power first. Then you can move on to cable, phone, the internet, and other providers.

4. Setting Up Your Essentials

If you cannot put your bed back together, get help from the movers. They are trained in the assembly of furniture like this.

Unpack the essential boxes that you prepared in your old home. These should include necessary items for your bed and bathroom. The day of the move will surely wear you out, so you will need a place to rest at the end of the day. You will also need to clean up. If you get a few essential boxes ready, things will be much easier. Nobody wants to dig through boxes and boxes looking for toothpaste. The essentials boxes should be clearly marked. It may be smart to put these boxes in your car to ensure that they don't get lost. The kitchen is also an essential room. But you can live on paper products for a few days until you get your bearings.

5. Getting Organized After a Move: This Can Be Fun!

If you like making checklists and reminders, now is your time to shine. Buy a notebook specifically for the purpose of organizing your move. Place priority lists first, and put less important things later. Making to-do lists will help you get things done as efficiently as possible.

6. Home Inspection

Make sure that your home is move-in ready by doing a good inspection before move in day. Check the outside of the home for signs of a pest. You should also do this inside. Look under the sink in bathrooms and the kitchen for cockroaches or silverfish. You should also be looking for flood or fire signs. Check pipes for leaks by comparing water pressure before and after not using water for a few hours. If there is a difference in the readings, you probably have a leak. You should get the issue fixed before you complete the move in process.

7. Locate Fuses and Water Valves

Enlist the help of a friend or family member to find these important home controls. In the event of an emergency, you will need to know how to shut off water and power. You should label which fuse corresponds to each part of the home. Check the main water valve by turning it to the off position. Then, go around the house and try all water taps. If one is still running, then there is a problem with your main valve.

8. Security: Safety Should Always Be A Priority

Ensuring that the new home is safe for everyone is one of the keys to being happy in your home. After setting up utilities, take proper steps in ensuring security from unwanted visitors and nature. Change all locks to be sure that only people you approve of have access to the home. Make sure all windows and doors close properly. Put smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. This is especially important around sleeping areas. Get first aid kits and fire extinguishers to have around the home as well. Consider installing a security system as well.

9. Child Safety Is Number One

This is not a one step process as much as it is an ongoing one. It does not apply to everyone, but for most it does. Make sure that all hazard areas are properly protected from a baby. Buy earthquake straps for heavy items or furniture. Place bump protectors on corners. Secure electrical outlets with child-safe locks.

10. Get Out Your Major Appliances

Set up major appliances so you can be ready to cook and clean when the time comes. If one of the appliances is not working properly, talk to your moving professional, or someone else who may know how to fix it. Fridges require the most attention when moving. You run the risk of damaging the appliance if you plug it in too soon after moving. Wait at least three hours after moving it before plugging it in. This allows time for oil to run back into the central cooling mechanisms.

11. Keep Getting Boxes Out of the Way

Unpacking is a great thing to do with a friend. Get the help of a few friends and family members. Unpack smaller boxes at this point. These are things that you don't need but have. You can begin to hang photos, mount televisions, put up window covers, and other things. If you don't have time to unpack, then you can get professional companies to assist you. However, these cost money. If you want to make getting your home ready memorable and fun, get the help of some friends. Repay them with many thanks, And maybe some food too.

12. Recycle What You Don't Need

It's a good thing to do. Once you begin to unpack, you will probably realize that you do not need a good chunk of the things that were not in your essentials boxes. Get rid of things you don't need by donating them to charities, or just throwing them away. You can recycle most wood, metal, plastic, and paper products. This is a good way to help the environment.

As for the moving materials, most of them will probably be too damaged to use again. These can be recycled or repurposed. If there are some that survived the stresses of moving, then you can save them or give them to a friend in need.

13. Cleaning the Home: A Fresh Start

Even though this is not the most enjoyable thing to do among the excitement of moving, it must be done nonetheless. When you are moving into a home, things get dirty. That's just how it works. You will have piles of trash and dirt that need immediate attention. Get cleaning products that cut through all of the grease and dirt that accumulates in the home. You will also need to get rid of all the scum left behind from previous tenants. You can also get professional cleaning services if you don't have the time to deal with it yourself.

14. Take Care of Any Pets You May Have

Pets also get a lot of stress and anxiety from moving. Keep an eye on them in days and weeks following the move. If they act strangely or are not eating and drinking, they need attention. Consider taking them to a vet if it is something you cannot handle on your own. Make sure you have as much as you can get to keep them comfortable. Being surrounded by familiar sights and smells will make their adjusting process much easier.

15. Be Sure to Inform Everyone/Post Office of YourAddress Changes

Changing your address with the post office is among one of the most important things you should do after moving. Many people forget to do it, which creates a very messy situation. You can now change your address online in addition to in-person. This should make it much easier to get your mailing address set up.

16. Schools for Your Children: Should Be Done Before the Move...

Looking for a school is something that should begin way before the move. Some people forget to do this. Paperwork needs to be filled out and things must be in order before your child can attend. You can search for schools like you search for moving companies. Look for the best reviews and go from there.

17. Get You & Your Family Set Up With a Health Care Plan

When moving from one home to another, it is important that you address your health coverage. You can ask your current doctor for recommendations. Or you can speak to your health insurance agency for local clinics that accept your coverage.

18. Register All of Your Vehicles

If you are moving out of state, then you will need to re-register your vehicle in the new state. You will also have to transfer your license to the new DMV in the area. There is a time frame for this to be done, so be sure to address it as a priority.

19. Sit Down & Take a Look at Your Financial Status: Post Move

Relocating is a very costly endeavor. There are a lot of things involved that make this true. For the first few months after the move, it is important that you keep excess spending low until you recover from this financial blow. Establishing a moving budget is a good way to go as well. This will ensure that you are not spending more than you are able to on the move.

20. Making Your Home Look Nice: Have a Good Time!

If you are not ready to part with certain items of furniture, you can always repurpose them and make them look new for your new home. Moving opens up the opportunity for you to arrange your home any way you like. Take advantage of this.

21. Establish Yourself in the Neighborhood & Meet Folks

Neighbors can be just the crutch you need in this moving challenge. They will be the guide to your new neighborhood. They can also offer help if there is any kind of emergency. It may behoove you to get to know them the right way.

22. When All Is Said & Done, Leave a Review to Share Your Experience

Moving Authority is proud to help you move from one home to another in the easiest way possible. However, we understand that it can sometimes be hard to move without something going wrong. If you are not pleased with services of any moving company, then let another know. Use the MA comments section to alert other movers to your displeasure.