Shifting homes this time of year can be tricky, especially when you live in the North-West. Sure, we know most moving-related activity occurs during winter, but it just makes things slightly harder. The bitter Washington cold can make sifting and sorting in an empty house an uncomfortable chore. Therefore, to ensure you have the smoothest move into your new place, we are here to give you a few pointers. Let’s begin, shall we?
Call in the movers
Avoid moving your stuff by yourself, especially when you can hire a moving company that can do it for you. Imagine coming home after a grueling day at work, packing up stuff, and transporting boxes when you’re exhausted. It’s situations like these that make moving so stressful. Moreover, you don’t know whether fragile items will make it in one piece or not inside the back of a U-Haul.
So it would be best to look up some quality movers who operate in your neighborhood. A quick search on Google can help you out with that. For example, if you live somewhere on the Puget Sound in the pacific northwest, type the string ‘moving companies Seattle‘ in the search bar for some options to hire. Be sure to shortlist a service provider who can pack, load, unload, and unpack for you. It’ll make the task less exhausting. Check the company’s license and discuss insurance beforehand. Hiring a mover will also help you save costs you would incur by running multiple trips in a small car by yourself.
Sort out the heating, plumbing, and gas
If you are moving into an older home, you may want to get the utilities sorted out in advance. As the New Year begins, it’s going to get cold in the coming few months. Get a technician in before you move in and have them check the heating system as soon as possible. Moreover, older houses often have issues with plumbing and electricity. You don’t want to be stranded without these essentials when you move in.
It would be wise to call in respective service providers to ensure all the utilities are up and running. Getting things done after you have shifted with your belongings can complicate matters. The free space makes it easier for the maintenance workers to do their job and get out of your hair as soon as possible.
Do deep cleaning
Before you move in, you have the perfect chance to clean the place thoroughly. If you have signed a contract and made the deal for the home, consider taking a weekend out, gathering a few partners, and scrubbing the place clean. Again, the absence of furniture makes cleaning more manageable.
Wash out areas that have tiled floors and clean the wood till it shines. If you are moving into a used home, we would advise you spend extra time cleaning the bathrooms for your satisfaction. Cleaning detergents and liquids are generally bad for the environment. Still, we advise you to use them once, get a deep clean and then opt for more natural long-term alternatives after you settle in.
If you clean the house thoroughly once, it will likely remain cleaner for longer, and you can touch up the place as you go. It’s always a good idea to get one solid scrubbing session every few months.
Fumigation and pest control
If you’re moving close to the woods, get the house fumigated before you move in. Roaches, termites, and ants are the least of your worries. Spiders, centipedes, and other nasty creatures can make your life miserable if you aren’t careful. Moreover, if you have children running and playing around the house, it can be dangerous.
It’s always a good idea to leave the house during this time. Some people relegate themselves to one section of the house. That may not be safe. Getting it done before you move in solves several issues. The family members won’t breathe in the fumes, all the pests will come out and die before you move in, and it’s easier to clean up the mess afterward.
Update your address
Inform your bank, insurance provider, healthcare provider, and other service providers that you’re moving. You may want to have your postal address updated as soon as possible to avoid missing out on important mail. If you’re moving with kids, you’ll also have to look for new schools and kids’ clinics in the new neighborhood.
Check the local records
It would be wise to learn a thing or two about the neighborhood and its people. Besides helping your general knowledge, it might help you remain safe in your area. Especially if you have children, Do a background check by investing in local records, and stay wary of criminals in the area. Doing so will protect minors and you from bad people on holidays like Halloween, where they end up knocking on the wrong doors. If the location seems too shady, you may even want to reconsider moving. Safety and security should always be of paramount importance. If the alarm bells start going off before you shift in, you need to find an alternative place to stay.
Infographic Provided By Moving Leads Company, USA Home ListingsConclusion
This article mentions a few things you should do before moving into a new home. These include finding the best moving company, getting the utilities up, deep cleaning the place, calling in pest control, and checking the area for safety. Planning can help you make moving a less stressful process. By getting everything done beforehand, you’ll enjoy settling into your new place even more. So if you’re moving in the next few weeks, get up and start working already!