18 Things To Remember When You Move House

Last time I moved I basically swore I would never do it again lol A move is just SO MUCH more work than usually anticipated. Last time my mom moved she rented a Uhaul even though she was only moving 1/4 of a mile down the road. What would have been dozens of trips with pickups was just ONE TRIP. It was so worth it. Regardless though a move is exciting and always a fun adventure!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Moving house is one of the most stressful experiences any of us can go through. There’s so much to do, and it can feel overwhelming. Don’t let the excitement of moving into your dream home get lost in the hustle and bustle. Check out our handy list of 18 things to remember when you move house.

1. Boxes: whether you’re buying sets of packing boxes or using boxes you’ve found or been given, start stocking up a long time before moving day. It may help the moving process if you pack things as you get a few boxes. Pack up your non-essentials first and find somewhere to keep the boxes. That way, packing doesn’t pile up, and you can see exactly how many boxes you’re likely to need. It may be worth the expense of paying for storage so that you can keep your living space box-free. This helps with stress.

1. Give notice: if you’re renting, you’ll need to ensure you’ve given your landlord the right amount of notice before you move. Make sure you know exactly how much rent you have to pay. 

1. Letting everyone know: you’ll need to update your address details with absolutely everyone — the doctor, schools, the veterinarian, insurance policies, and more. Make a list and call them in order. Check them off when you’ve done them to keep track. For things like online shopping, it can be easier to do them the next time you order from them, but if you’re likely to forget, go through every store you use and update your account. 

1. Take photographs: taking photographs is essential for renters, but it can be useful for homeowners too. When you move, you should always take pictures of your old home as you left it and your new home as it was when you arrived. This can be crucial in any disputes. 

1. Insurance: if your moving truck is full of valuables, you’re going to need insurance. Don’t assume your removal company will have insurance in place. Find out before you use them. You will also want to consider insuring your new home and all the contents. Insurance for renters is available too.

1. Schools and healthcare: you need to provide any educational or healthcare establishments with your up-to-date address and contact details as quickly as possible. You’ll also need to check where everything is in relation to your new home, especially if you’re moving into a new area. You don’t want to wait until someone needs the E.R to figure out where the hospital is.

1. Phoneline and internet: your new home may or may not have a landline installed, so you may have to arrange this yourself. Getting the phone and internet wired up can sometimes take a while, so it’s best to do this as far in advance as you can. If you work from home or have kids who love the internet, this should be something you do as soon as you have the keys (or before, if you can arrange that). Moving house is a great time to reconsider your internet provider, as well. If you’re not sure about providers, like viasat vs. hughesnet, now is the perfect time to figure it out. Most providers make it easy for you during moving, so if you’re keeping the same one, give them a call and see what they offer.

1. Learning the new route: in all the bustle of moving, it’s easy to overlook things like learning your new route to work, or the kids’ school or your mum’s house. Driving or walking these a couple of times beforehand can be beneficial, especially for children. It helps to ease the unsettled feeling children get when everything is different. It’s far too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of moving and allow yourself to get distracted, but this simply cannot happen when you’re on the road with your kids. Drive slowly in your new neighborhood until you’ve been able to learn your essential routes confidently, otherwise you’ll have to add the extra cost of a car accident lawyer onto your moving expenses when you get into trouble after taking the wrong turn or making some other simple mistake!

1. Getting extra keys cut: work out how many keys you need and remember to get any missing ones cut. Don’t forget the back door or gate keys. It’s helpful to get one extra key than you need, so you always have a spare handy. You never know when you might need it.

1. Repairs: are there any repairs that need doing on your old house, or your new one, that you’ve agreed to take responsibility for? Ensure these are done adequately before moving, to avoid disputes and extra expense. You won’t want to have to deal with these things when you’ve already moved in, especially if they’re messy or time consuming tasks that take away certain functional aspects of your new home (such as bathroom or kitchen renovations). Plan your repairs well in advance so that you can move in smoothly and have full use of your new home, while enjoying the most beautiful surroundings!

1. Neighbors: take a quiet few moments to relax from the stress and busywork, and go and say hello (and farewell) to your neighbors. If you’ve known each a while, this is even more important. If you have elderly neighbors, make a point of letting them know you’re moving out and someone else is moving in, or vice versa.

1. Children and pets: preparing children and pets for moving home is vital. Give children lots of reminders well in advance, so they get used to the idea. For your pets, keep their routines as similar as possible throughout the whole process. You also need to make sure you have appropriate crates or carriers to move them. Ensure they’re secure when boxes are being loaded and unloaded. Keep them enclosed until the hubbub has died down, and then restrict how much freedom they get until they are more settled. Don’t overwhelm them with a whole house at once — one room will do. Also, call your vet and get your details updated ASAP, including on their microchips. Keep cats in for a few weeks, so they get used to their new home. This helps the new house imprint on them, so they know where to come back to. 

1. Making sure your furniture will fit: measure your new home as soon as you get the chance. Double-check your measurements, and then compare them with the measurements of your existing furniture. Is the sofa going to fit through your new door, or are you going to have to pay extra to have it cut down and put back together? You need to know this before the removal truck turns up! You should also get all your new windows and floor measurements at a viewing of your new house, so you can get on with ordering carpets and curtains. You might get lucky and have a pair of curtains that will still fit.

1. Decorating: are you planning on repainting any rooms? New paint needs at least a day to air out before you can use the room, so plan your painting carefully. 

1. Moving day: start planning your moving day early. If you’re easily stressed, write a list or schedule incorporating everything you need to do and remember. Keep it handy and refer to it whenever you need to. Don’t forget to delegate tasks to your spouse and kids if necessary.

1. Family and friends: send out some pretty “We’ve Moved!” cards to your loved ones so that they won’t lose track of you. It’s a nice way to reach out, and you can make email notices if you’re more digitally inclined.

1. Cellphone service: give your cellphone provider a call and make sure they cover your new area. You’ll also want to take your phone around the new house and check for any spots with little or no signal. Get everyone in the household to do this, especially if you have teenagers.

1. Find new outdoor spaces: if you have a dog, enjoy walking, running, or cycling, you’ll want to explore your new neighborhood and experiment with new routes and locations. Is there a park? Does it allow dogs or bikes? How far away is it? 

With all your bases covered, your move will go as smoothly as possible. Enjoy your new home!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)