Our Top Tips for a Smooth Moving Day

Purchasing a home is an exciting time in your life, no matter if it’s your first house or your fifth. However, the actual act of moving might not be everyone’s favorite thing to do, but that’s why Wilkinson Homes has put together a checklist for our homebuyers to ensure your moving experience is as smooth as possible.

#1 Set up your utilities early

When the first day in your new home comes around, you’ll want to ensure that all of your utilities are set up and ready to go. Double check the absolute necessary items first, such as electricity, gas, sewer and water—and then move on to figuring out your internet and trash.

This is also the perfect time to put together the list of services you’ll need to cancel at your current apartment or house so you don’t end up paying extra after you move out. 

#2 Make a neighborhood checklist

There are a few other items you’ll want to look into before the big moving day comes. Submit your change of address to the post office to let them know to forward your mail, double check that you have cancelled any gym memberships and ensure you don’t have any laundry at a local dry cleaners. If you’re moving to a completely new area and are running low on a prescription or contacts, make an appointment before you leave to get a refill on anything you may need so you don’t have to worry about setting up a handful of appointments right when you get to your new home.  

#3 Look into moving day help

Sometimes there are tons of little things running through your mind when you are moving to a new home, and to ensure you don’t add even more stress on top of it all—you may want to look into hiring a moving company for the big day. It’s never a bad idea to call multiple movers and get different quotes or thoughts from them to decide which direction to go. 

On the other hand, if you have friends and family members who are more than capable and willing to help move you into your new home, keep them updated on the schedule so they know when you need them to be there. 

#4 Create a moving day bag 

Before you get into a packing grove, make sure you set aside a few sets of clothes, bathroom towels and any toiletries you use on a daily basis. If you’re spending multiple hours unpacking boxes in order to find your toothbrush, you may be adding even more work to your already full plate.

#5 Ensure you have all of your important documents first

Once you get your moving day bag set aside, the first items you’ll want to make sure you get together are any birth certificates, passports, insurance papers, housing documents or any other important paperwork you’ll need before you leave your home. When your home inevitably fills with cardboard boxes, you won’t have to scramble to find any documents you may need. 

#6 Label everything

Labeling every box makes moving easier on yourself and on those helping you move. This will ensure that all of your kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom boxes will make their way to the correct place right away, and you won’t waste any time looking for items that might have been placed on the wrong end of your home. 

#7 Create a shopping list

If you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment to your first home, or simply moving to a larger home, you may find yourself needing additional furniture to fill the space. Once you’re finished going through everything you own, this is the perfect time to make a list of everything you’ll need for your new house. 

If you have a list early in the moving process, you can buy items at a more gradual pace instead of all at once—making it easier on your mind, and your wallet in the process. Planning ahead also gives you more time to see if any family members or friends have some of the items you’re interested in or know someone who may be selling. 

#8 Make sure you protect your floors and walls

Even with professional movers, some large furniture might be a bit uncomfortable to maneuver into your home—take this into account right away and lay down some cardboard or other floor protectant to keep your floors safe before anything makes its way into your home. Also, don’t forget about the corners! Using painters tape, attach carboard, foam, or another similar material to the corners of your drywall, doorways, and the ceiling within the stairwell of a 2-story home.

#9 Don’t forget to tip your movers

Whether it’s a pizza night for all of your friends and family who helped you move or an extra tip to the moving company you hired—it’s always a good gesture and is definitely appreciated by those who put in the time to help make your moving day a little easier. 

#10 Don’t try to unpack everything in one day

Taking a few days to settle into your home will undoubtedly be less stressful for you in the long run. When you first move in—only think about the essentials. Set up your bed, unpack some towels and toiletries for your bathroom, fill your kitchen cupboards with some supplies you’ll surely need over the coming days and if you have curtains you’d like to hang up, get those set up right away for some added privacy.

We know that moving still isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do—even with the above tips making the day a little easier on you. That’s why our team at Wilkinson Homes builds expertly crafted homes that are designed to be the only one you’ll ever need. If you’re ready to find your forever home—contact us today.