Are you excited about moving into your new home, but feel overwhelmed with the amount of planning and preparation that comes with moving in? Settling in requires much more than just unpacking and arranging your belongings. From transferring utilities to ensuring both your family and your new home are move-in ready, there are many important things that need to be done before moving in – the key here is to stay organized! Fortunately, this month’s blog covers the big and important tasks you’ll want to prioritize before moving into your new home. If you knock these tasks off your checklist, then the rest of the moving process will be much more seamless.
1) Do a Complete Walk Through and Deep Clean
The best time to do both a full walk-through and a deep clean of your home is after the previous homeowners have moved out and before you have moved in. You’ll want the house to be completely empty so that you have a clear space to plan and envision where your furniture and belongings will go. This is the perfect time to figure out the layout of your home and decide how you would like to arrange everything, especially when it comes to large furniture pieces. Plus, you’ll save a lot of time on moving day if have an action plan for arranging everything. It’s also a great time to look around and do a final check on the following items:
- All requests and repairs agreed upon with the previous homeowner are complete
- Everything that was to be included in the sale are present in the home
- Everything is functioning properly such as outlets, switches, doors, windows, and fixtures
- The seller has left all warranties and maintenance guides with you
- All of your furniture and belongings will fit
By checking in on these items, you’ll be able to find any issues and work to resolve them before moving in. For instance, if the previous homeowner took the bedroom furniture with them when you agreed that it would be left behind. In terms of cleaning, it’s a good idea to do a deep clean from top to bottom before moving your things in. From the rooms to the nooks and crannies, you’ll want to make sure everything is cleaned to your standard as chances are the previous homeowners did not clean thoroughly before your arrival. If a deep cleaning is too big of a task to take on, consider scheduling a cleaning service. That way, you’ll rest assured knowing you’ll be moving into a fresh, clean space. Besides, with all of the work you’re putting into your new home, you deserve a spotless space!
2) Set Up or Transfer Utilities
There are a few items you’ll need to set up before moving in, including electricity, gas, internet, water, heating, and cooling. If you’re moving close by, you may be able to transfer your existing utilities, but if you’re moving further away like to a new city, you’ll need to set up with new utility providers. After you have determined whether you’ll need to transfer your existing utilities or set up new utility services, you should contact each of the utility providers to set up service at your new home. We recommend contacting your providers as far in advance as possible, at least 2 – 3 weeks before move-in day, and when arriving at your new home, make sure that all of the utilities are set up and running properly. Don’t forget to schedule a disconnect date for the utilities at your current home.
3) Child / Pet Proof If Necessary
Do you have children or pets? If so, you’ll want to do some initial childproofing to make sure everyone and everything is kept safe until you have time to do a full setup. Some initial child and pet proofing include:
- Creating a child and pet-free zone for discarded packing materials
- Blocking off no-go areas
- Spreading out boxes instead of stacking them up high
- Making sure there are no cords or hazardous materials lying around
- Putting breakables, sharp objects, hazardous products, and alcohol in high cabinets
- Moving appliances with electrical cords out of reach
- Installing baby gates on staircases
- Installing locks where necessary
4) Prioritize Repairs and Home Improvements
During your home inspection, you likely discovered a few repairs that need to be done, which you’ll probably want completed before moving in. Repairs such as water damage and retiling should be taken care of before move-in day. In addition to the repairs determined during the buying process, it’s also a good idea to do a walk-through on your own and determine the smaller repairs and home improvements you would like to do as well. Projects such as painting an accent wall or installing built-in shelves can be done prior to move-in day, so that your list of things to do gets smaller rather than larger after you have moved in. Having a general list of repairs and home improvements in terms of priorities will help you put things into perspective and get the ball rolling.
5) Update Your Address
Your address is connected to several aspects of your life, so you’ll want to make sure that you notify the right people and places regarding your new address. Updating your address is critical and it’s better to do so sooner rather than later. You don’t want to face potential mishaps such as missed bills and service lapses. Here’s a checklist of whom to notify when changing your address:
- Postal Service
- Drivers Licence
- Vehicle and Land Registration
- Health Card / OHIP
- Utility Providers (Electricity, Gas, Water, Heating, and Cooling)
- Internet, Phone, and TV Providers
- Financial Institutions (Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Investments)
- Insurance Providers
- Employer
- Canadian Pension Plan (CPP)
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Dental and Medical
- Streaming, Online, and Subscription Services
- Rewards Programs
6) Meet Your Neighours
Meeting your new neighbours is a to-do shortly after you have moved in! Getting to know your neighbours will help you feel at home and welcomed into your new space. Check out your new neighbourhood and note those who have kids and those who seem to click well with your family. You don’t need to go door to door but make an effort to introduce yourself the first time you run into a new neighbour. A friendly introduction can go a long way, and getting off on the right foot will help you get settled into your new community.
7) Get To Know Your New Home
Last but not least, get to know your new home! By this point, you’ll have done everything you need to do to ensure your home is move-in ready. All that’s left is the actual move. So, the last thing you should do before moving in is to take a moment and soak it all in. You’ve made it this far, so take some time to enjoy this new chapter in life. Whether it’s reflecting on your successes or simply taking comfort in your new space, sit back, relax, and get to know your new home.
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Congratulations, you’re almost ready to move into your new home! By following the items listed throughout this blog, you’ll be set for a successful move. If you’re looking for moving services to support your upcoming move, Deluxe Moving Cambridge and Kitchener moving company, can guarantee a seamless move for you and your family. We offer Full Packing, Unpacking, and Moving services that can take care of the entire move for you. Head to our services page for more information about our services or contact our team to get started on a successful and stress-free move. We look forward to working with you!
Want more moving tips and advice? Don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions you may have regarding the moving process. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a brand new city, choosing Deluxe Moving & Storage for your move is the best thing you can do to ensure a safe and successful moving experience for you and your loved ones. Don’t forget to fill out our FREE, no-obligation quote form, and leave the work to us!