If you are planning to move, how to prepare for it
You have bought the home of your dreams and have the move-in date. You have sold the home and know the date you have to vacate the home.
It is time to start planning to move to your new house.
8 Weeks Before Your Move
If you are planning to move Hire a Moving company
The first thing we did was to hire a moving company. We were moving end of June which is the busiest time to move. We decided to hire movers because we were moving from one city to another and none of us were in the mood to lift and shift or get injured. A professional mover takes a lot of stress and challenges out of the move.
I did my due diligence and got quotes from four movers. For me, it was important to see how long the company has been in business, the reviews, any complaints against them, and license and liability coverage. I also wanted an accurate estimate, any hidden charges, and all moving supplies to be provided.
I was very impressed with Travis Bedwell, from Bedwell Moving Systems. Travis did an online survey with me and took an inventory of all my belonging and gave me an exact quote. He asked me the right questions about my present and future home. Travis did not ask for a deposit until the day of the move, did not make me sign any blank contract, and offered storage if there was an issue with moving. Finally, Bedwell had been in business for 75 yrs and was family-owned.
If you are moving to another city, contact the visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce in the city for information on schools, transportation, and any other important information that you need. Finally, call your accountant, Revenue Canada/IRS for what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
This is the time to go through all the extra stuff that you have in your attic, storage shed, and basement and see if you need any of it. Use up cleaning supplies and frozen foods that you cannot move.
6 Weeks Before Your Move
Create an inventory of everything you have. We were moving from a fully detached 2400 square foot to a semi 1750 square foot. We had to decide what we wanted to move and what we wanted to stay for the new owner and what items we were going to give to charity.
Make arrangements for your trip and the route on GPS.
Plan a date for the garage sale and give everything else to charity.
Do your own packing and mark all the boxes as to which room the movers should put where or arrange for the movers to pack.
In a special file gather all your family records of marriage, baptism, birth, school, dental and medical.
Call all utilities (water, hydro, gas) to discontinue (current home) and commence (future home) services. Call the city and pay your realty taxes in full.
Call your bank, insurance, credit cards, Revenue Canada/IRS, friends, and family, and give them your new address.
3 Weeks Before Your Move
Get all your prescriptions filled by the local Walmart.
Dispose of any gas cylinders for BBQ and all flammables safely.
1 week before you move
It is crunch time. Start with defrosting the refrigerator, and freezer and allow air-drying to prevent mildew.
Make sure all appliances are in working order. Check the central heating and air conditioning systems are working.
Drain oil from the lawnmower and snowblower.
Drain the garden hose.
Pack personal, sensitive, crystal, valuables, jewelry, and personal information items to be carried in your car.
If you are leaving the curtains and the mounted tv for the new owner make sure it is clean. Otherwise, take it down and pack it.
Finally, have your car serviced for the trip and also find out if there is a dealership in the new city.
The moving day has finally arrived
Pack suitcases for personal clothes.
Put all bed linen and towels in a special box and put it in the car.
In one box, pack basics like toothpaste, toothbrush, and cleaners and have it loaded last.
Have the inventory sheet ready.
Do a final last-minute walk-through around your home. Make sure all lights are switched out, doors locked, closets empty and windows are closed.
You could be moving a few blocks, across cities or even countries. Be ready when the delivery van arrives and match it with an inventory. When the unloading is happening, be there so you can direct the placement of furniture and various other items. Keep track of anything that is damaged.
The professional movers from Bedwell arrived on time at 8 am. They were professional and within an hour everything was loaded on the truck. The drive took three hours and by 3 pm, all the furniture was set up.
If you are planning a move, make sure you follow the above procedure and let me know how it went.
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