8 Things To Do When Moving To A New Home

Everyone ends up moving at some point. Whether for work or upgrading your living space, moving into a new space can easily drain you. The responsibility of packing your entire life and moving into a new space is tiresome, especially if you have a family to look after or work that can’t be put off. But with some planning and a great moving strategy, you can make moving to a new house less scary.

Things to do when moving to a new home

Here are eight tips to help make your move manageable.

1. Plan and organize

Moving into a new house is an overwhelming process for many. Avoid putting off tasks until the last minute to make them less overwhelming. When you sign the lease for your new house, begin planning and organizing your move. Instead of starting the packing a few days before you move, gradually start putting away and packing stuff, especially things not used regularly. In most cases, you will have a month or two, even more, before you move into your new home. Start by listing every room in the house and its contents. Also, list new purchases and services you may have to discontinue before moving.

2. Plan your storage strategy

After itemizing everything in your house, start looking for storage and moving services. If you are on a time crunch and need to put away some of the stuff before moving into the new space, renting a storage service can help. Google “storage unit Lincoln NE” if you’re in Lincoln, and you’ll come across services like Dillon Self-Storage. It is not always convenient to ask a family member or friend to look after your belongings until your new space is ready. Self-storage units are instrumental in that regard. They are safe and secure and often priced reasonably.

3. Rent a moving service

Unless you have family and friends with huge trucks and great physical strength, consider hiring movers to transport your belongings to the new space. Maybe you don’t need a mover if the route is shorter and you can manage independently. But for more significant moves, like when you’re moving to a new neighborhood or town, hiring a moving service can save a lot of time. Make sure to consider pricing before renting a moving service. When hiring movers, please give them a heads-up on the fragile and heavy stuff. You don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars only to find out half of your items are broken or lost.

4. Do a quick walkthrough before moving in

Before moving into the new space, walk through the new house when it’s empty. If the property was staged when you first visited it, revisit it when it’s empty to get a better idea of how your stuff will fit in.

To make it effective, bring a tape measure with you so that you can assess if your furniture and other belongings will fit the new space. Also, check all terms of sale like repairs, installation of new appliances, fixtures, flooring, and heating before you move in. It is a hassle to figure out later that a certain fixture needs replacement or the basement heating doesn’t work. It’s also a burden on your wallet, especially if it was due for a fair before your move.

5. Pet- and child-proof the new space before moving in

If you have children or live with pets, preparing the new space before moving in is essential. For example, if there are stairs in the new house, you may have to add a small gate to keep the kids away. In addition, take note of sharp edges, open outlets, and any potential hazards that may cause harm to your pets or kids. Also, ensure all windows and doors have safety locks and no cords hanging off the blinds or near electronic appliances. Specifically, during the first few days of moving in, spread out your boxes as there may be a risk of them toppling over and hurting someone or fragile items breaking.

6. Declutter

Move into your new house with a fresh start by purging out anything that is not needed. An old piece of furniture or outdated appliances doesn’t have to move in with you into your new space. Getting rid of old belongings gives a fresher perspective and lifts the weight off your shoulders from hoarding things that don’t make you happy anymore. If something is in a condition, like clothes or furniture, consider selling it to buy something for the new house, or you can donate it to a shelter or organization. Especially get rid of clothes you haven’t worn in a while, books you never read and old documents that aren’t important.

7. Be mindful of plastic usage

It is convenient to use plastic bubble wrap, cardboard, and newspaper to pack stuff when moving into a new house, but it damages the environment. Instead of relying on single-use plastic, opt for reusable plastic bins for moving some of your stuff. After moving, reusable containers can be put to good use for storage, especially if you’re low on space in the new property. To replace bubble wrap, you can use winter clothes to pack fragile items like cookware or décor items.

8. Label everything

Irrespective of whether you hire a moving service or take help from friends and family, label everything. Every box and item should have labeling to help you organize when unpacking in your new house.

Especially for fragile items, consider marking the boxes to avoid any breakages. Labeling is also handy when moving stuff from the vehicle to the property. Put away each box where it belongs. For example, boxes with crockery and kitchen items should be placed in the kitchen to avoid dragging them from the hallway to the kitchen. It would save time and your back from hurting when moving the boxes.

Conclusion

Moving into a new house is slightly overwhelming, especially with all the stuff and packing. However, with the steps mentioned above, you can make your moving phase smooth and less problematic. Given that, don’t avoid asking for help when you need it. Whether packing your belongings, moving them, or setting up the new space, consider asking for help if you cannot do it alone. The more smooth your moving process, the less you dread it.