Back then when I moved to a new house, I found myself overwhelmed with a bunch of things, from packing up messy rooms, transporting everything, and arranging stuff at the new places. Although I had my husband, and friends, even as well as the moving services help at that time, it was still kind of tired! Now that I have some experience myself, I get moving to a new home checklist in case of any relocation plan in the future.
Happy to share with you here.
Before Moving Out Checklist
#1. Find a new comfortable place
Of course, the very first thing of a moving plan is to find a new place where you and your family can settle down for a long period. It is better to give you and your partner some time to refer to several places before making a final choice.
Then, if the new house is still empty, take measurements of the new rooms to plan the furniture layout. Or is there anything at the place that can be reused?
Also, take a short tour around the neighborhood and local areas to find out where to go for groceries, supermarkets, or restaurants when you come to the new place.
Believe me, planing the layout will save you a lot of time and money when moving day finally comes.
#2. Pare down the old stuff to the new home
Do not try to take every little thing together with you. Otherwise, 100% sure that you will have to handle messy boxes and get rid of some later on.
My advice is to sort out your possessions into different groups, for example: Sell, Donate and Trash!
Only take the things you need in the new places and the things that have special emotional memories, say, the first baby clothing of my sons. Other things, even they are expensive but useless, should be given away to friends or sold. A garage sales or local flea markets are a good place to give your things to those who really need them.
#3. Plan a moving inventory and pack up smartly
Clarifying things – Done!
Then, make a detailed list of things for moving: the statement, the number, types of items (are they fragile or require careful storage?), the destination room, etc.
From the list, you can figure out the cost of moving services. For example, you might need to hire packing and shipment agencies, or even get proper moving insurance.
To save time and money for moving, pre-pack some items. Here are some useful packing tips:
- Start with the least used items. Place all aside in the luggage, boxes, and packages several days or even a week earlier to the moving date.
- Pack rooms, one by one. Complete one area before you move on to another to ensure that you will not miss a thing.
- Hire professional services to haul and pack some heavy things. I do not mean you should have movers do all for you. But with heavy things or hard-to-pack items, you had better leave them for the pro. Better save than sorry.
- Use fewer boxes and plastic bags as possible. For your earth, you should not use too many boxes even though they are very convenient. Instead, try to settle things in the drawers or your own containers.
- Label items with priorities. Mark the box with A – B – C orders based on our inventory.
#4. Determine the moving date and contact the services
When things are almost all ready, save a date and call for the moving agency to help you with wrapping up things, transportations, and relocating items in the new place.
Take your budget, reliability, and convenience in mind when choosing a service. Most of the time, you ought to go for popular services.
During Moving a New Home Checklist
Keep calm and let things be done as your inventory and plan.
First off, do not be afraid to ask your family and friends to help. Even when you well prepared, moving to a new place is still a challenging task that you should never do it alone.
Secondly, when loading boxes and containers onto the truck, identify “last on, first off” items. I mean load what you need to find easily at the new house or label the box with A – B – C priorities based on our inventory.
Thirdly, check the moving checklist once again to ensure you go with all necessities. You should also tidy the rooms before leaving. The next-coming will thank you. Plus, you can recheck whether any item is unpacked and moved!
Finally, get straight to the new place.
After Moving into a New House Checklist
After a successful move following the checklists right above, it is time to unload the containers and start decorating your new sweet home.
This part is really interesting, but do not forget the moving into a new home checklist.
#1. Recheck the delivered boxes
Count the boxes as when you load them onto the truck. And in case there are unfortunately broken, leaked or missing boxes, you must notify the moving crew immediately.
If all are arriving safe and sound, then put a tick onto the new apartment checklist and move to the next step.
#2. Turn on the utilities – Be careful with electric
It is better to connect to the main house utilities several hours before your official move. For instance, you can get the landlord to do it for you. Otherwise, you can contact the power and water providers in advance to make sure those things are available at your arrival.
Then, connect to the gas, the Internet, phone, and other important services. You might also need to call for a UPS letter service to update on your new address.
Above all, look out for electric appliances, especially if the house is left unused for a time.
#3. Unpack items and get organized
If you have a look at the rooms as I recommended above, then it will save time to organize things in the new house.
You already have a new home checklist for furniture and items, don’t you?
It might take one to several days to get things all tidily arranged at the place. But do not worry, unpack the containers based on the priority labels and complete with those essential first.
#4. Secure your new house – better safe than sorry
That you connect the major utilities and organize most of the things does not mean you can rest assured. At a new place where you are not familiar with yet, you must always inspect for any suspicious and unauthorized access.
Change the old locks. Double-check the windows and backdoors. Install the security camera, burglar alarm, and smoke detectors. Even more, invest in fire-extinguisher, first-aid kits, and escape plans in case of emergencies.
If you have babies, some common securities as above are not enough. You also need to improve childproofing. Accordingly, you must identify all household hazards, if any, and try to get rid of or minimize accidentally dangerous sources. More importantly, secure tables and sharp edges against tip-overs and with cordless blinds and electric outlet protectors.
“Many things to do,” I might add.
#5. Say hello to your neighbors and start a small party
You are almost done with moving to a new home checklist!
The very next is to share a warm time with your family and friends to cheer for the new place and new experiences!
But, do not forget to drop over on your neighbors’ doors and invite them to join with you. A BBQ party is a good idea. But, if you do not have time, some snacks and beverages will also do.
CHEERS for Your New Home!
Recheck the moving to a new home checklist again and have you get all done. Then, congrats! It is time for you and your family to relax and I hope you will have a good time at the new place.
If you happen to have any tips on moving house, also share it with me. I’m glad to put it down into my moving checklist.
Thanks!
