Buying and moving into a new home can be stressful. Here is a checklist with the essential tasks and tools you’ll need to make the transition easier.
Moving Day
❑ Give your employer two weeks’ notice of your move, and take the day off to supervise the process.
❑ Arrange for movers: Start shopping moving companies two months before your move. If you’re not hiring a moving company, ask your friends and family for help well in advance.
❑ Moving supplies: Six weeks before your move, purchase boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other packing materials and begin packing your belongings.
❑ Change the locks and keys: You can visit your local hardware store or call a locksmith to re-key your locks.
Cleaning
❑ Before move-in day, clean the walls and flooring so you don’t have to worry about cleaning around furniture and furnishing when you’re unpacked.
Change your address
❑ File a change of address with the post office about a month before you move for each person in your household. Notify banks, utilities, the IRS, your employer and family and friends of your new address.
Utilities
❑ Contact your new provider two weeks in advance of your move to ensure the utilities are turned on by the time you move in.
Buy your appliances
❑ Do some comparison shopping to ensure you get the best deal. You could also ask people you know if they have one to spare.
Essentials box
❑ You want to pack this box last and open it first. Essentials include extra change of clothes for each family member, paper plates and napkins, snacks, toilet paper, all-purpose cleaner, bedding, toys and blankets. You wouldn’t need to search for these items when you need them most.
