Time To Move? 4 Steps That Will Make The Process Go Smoother

Moving is stressful enough without having to deal with unforeseen problems. It's those little issues that pop up and cause extra stress that you just don't need. Now that the big day is looming closer, make sure you're prepared. Here are four steps you should take to make sure your next move goes off without a hitch.

Confirm the Movers

The last thing you need is to have a miscommunication with the moving company. The best way to avoid that is to touch bases with them for confirmation. A few days before your scheduled move, call the company you've hired and confirm the time and location for the moving crew. This will ensure that you and the moving service are on the same page. It's also a good idea to make sure they're going to have all the supplies they'll need for the move, especially if you have large pieces – such as a piano, which will require special moving equipment.

Install New Locks

Once you have the keys to your new home, the first thing you should do is change the locks. You might trust the previous owners, but you have no way of knowing who else has a spare key to your new home. Don't take chances with your family's safety, or the security of your belongings. Before you move anything into your new home, make sure you change all the locks. It's also a good idea to change the code on your garage door opener, if possible. That will ensure that any spare openers floating around are no longer able to open your garage door.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Crew

Your new home might have looked clean when you walked through, but that doesn't mean that it's move-in clean. Those little hidden nooks and crannies, cupboards, and closets could be hiding dirt, dust, dead bugs, and even animal feces. Once the previous owners have moved out, hire a professional cleaner to come in and do a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning of your new home. Once they're done, your home will be clean and ready for you to move in.

Contact the Utility Companies

When it's time to move, you should also place one final call to each of your utility companies – for both homes. Confirm the dates that your utilities will be disconnected at your old home, and connected at your new home. Be sure to ask for the name of the person you're speaking to when discussing the disconnection of your old service. This will ensure that you have a paper trail in case the service stays on longer than it should have. You don't want to be responsible for services that you didn't use.

Don't let moving get more stressful than it needs to be. Use the simple suggestions provided here to make your move go smoothly.

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