Whether you are moving around the block or out of state, it can become stressful. With so many tasks ahead, you may have trouble focusing on one item at a time. With a little bit of planning, you can take that element off the table and look forward to your new home.
Utilities and other services for your new residence
After you have signed contracts and have a firm date of closing, the first thing to do is to get mail forwarding in place. This is easy to do and one of the things many people forget. Once you have that in place you can contact the local township where you are moving and find out what electric company, gas, water, and cable services are available. This will give you time to review each one before making a blind decision that may end up costing more than it should. Some companies like Epcor Calgary offer both gas and electric services. This can sometimes save you even more by bundling the two with the same provider.
This is also true with cable companies that also offer phone and internet. With the luxury of time on your side, you can make educated decisions that will benefit you in the end. If you are able to visit before you move in, then you can schedule them for the same day so that all utilities for your new home are on before you move in.
Preparing to move
Moving is not easy, especially if you’ve been a pack rat for a number of years. The first thing you need to do is decide whether you want to rent a truck or hire movers. If it’s a local move, renting a truck can be cost effective. The mileage won’t play into the cost and you can rent a smaller truck and make a few trips instead of one. The transfer of utilities is also easy. You shouldn’t need any deposits since you are already an existing customer. On the other hand, if this is a long-distance move you’ll only have one chance to move everything. The best thing to do is write down on a sheet of paper the pros and cons and costs involved for a rental vs a moving company. One you have that worked out then you can plan the process of decluttering and packing.
Travel light
With moving, every object carries a price tag. The more space you use the bigger the truck you need and the more expensive the move becomes. In order to save money and reduce the cost of moving, a room by room assessment is a necessary step in discovering what you actually need and want to keep. For instance, if your dining room table has seen better days or is outdated and you may replace it, then taking it along will just fill space that you can use for more important items. Once you comprise a list of the things to will take, it’s time to decide what to do with the rest.
Host a Moving sale
If you find that you have a lot of items that are in good condition, hosting a moving sale is a smart way to go. It not only removes those items without any additional cost to you, but it also puts a few dollars back in your pocket, offsetting the moving expenses. You can hang flyers, list it in the paper or use an online service. Anything that doesn’t sell you can give away to family and friends, or make a deal for a one-time pick-up from your local garbage company. The rates are usually fair.
With the extra merchandise out of your home, you now have the space to begin the process of packing everything up. If you don’t want to part with a few hundred dollars for boxes, local retailers are usually pretty good about letting you take theirs. While they won’t be new, they will serve the purpose for the short term. Newspapers, coffee filters, and sheets also provide a great way to pack up delicate items without the need for additional packing supplies. Label each box with a list of the general items and the room it belongs to, this will make it easy to place boxes in the proper room on the receiving end.
By making a list and addressing all areas of interest ahead of time, you can look forward to starting your next chapter in your new home.
