Know the measurements of your new home and your furniture
While this may seem like a fairly obvious thing, you would be shocked as to how many people try to “eye” measurements rather than actually taking the time to measure their large furniture AND their new home. The last thing you want to do is carry in a heavy and fragile grand piano and then realize there is no space for it.
Change the locks
Changing the locks at your new home is necessary for safety reasons. While it is highly unlikely that the old owners or tenants of your home will be returning, won’t you sleep a little better at night knowing that you know exactly who has keys to your home?
Forward mail
You can either go to your local post office or online and submit a form to have your mail forwarded to your new address. It is a safety measure to make sure that your mail does not fall into a strangers hands and to ensure you do not miss any information in between the time you move, and the time it takes to change your address on all of your accounts.
Change address on accounts
You will want to go online or call all of the accounts you have, whether it be bank accounts, credit cards, DMV, IRS, healthcare or prescriptions, and update your address so that you do not miss any vital information.
Locate circuit breaker box and water and gas shutoff valves
On the first day you are in your new home, you should locate your circuit breaker box and make sure that it is labelled, and familiarize yourself with the location of the water and gas shut off valves. The last thing you want to be doing during an emergency is trying to locate any of these items.
Change toilet seats
Surely, the last owners or tenants of your new home have kept things clean, but somehow, changing the toilet seat will make your new home feel like YOUR home.
Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Typically, before you rent or buy a home, there will be some sort of inspection and the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors will have to have been in working order. That being said, things can fall through the cracks, and you will want to make sure that both items are in good working condition. If they need new batteries, do not just remove the batteries to stop either detector from chirping, but replace them immediately.
Clean cabinets and closets before unloading
When you move into your new home, you will want to wipe down any counter surface areas and cabinets before you start to unpack all of your items. You will also want to make sure to vacuum your new closets and make sure there is no lingering dust, as these are areas that we already do not clean very often. You will want to start with a clean slate so that the next time you clean these areas, at least you know the dust is your own.
Childproof
Anyone who has been around kids knows that not only do they get into everything, but they are quick! If you have an infant or toddler, you will want to make sure that you have outlet covers and safety gates where applicable, as well as safety door knob locks so that your child can not make an escape in a new neighborhood while you are busy unpacking. You should also be sure not to leave boxes stacked in any areas that children will be in, as they will gravitate towards them and potentially hurt themselves.
Inspect Boxes to make sure everything is there
It’s time to break out the inventory list that you gave to your local or long distance movers in Tucson and double check that everything is there and accounted for! Moving companies are experts at packing and if you can not locate something, they will be able to aid you in your search.
Make sure utilities are on
The last thing you will want to do on your moving day is be contacting utility companies. You should have planned to have service turned on at your new home prior to moving, because let’s face it, after a full day of moving, you will definitely want a shower!
Check the water meter
It is better to know you have a leak before you get hit with a huge bill. On your move in day, check the water meter, and then dedicate two hours of the day to not using any water, then check the water meter again to see if it’s changed. If it has not, you are good, but if it has, you will need to contact the water company to have someone come out and find the leak.
Unpack the essentials
The first day moving into a new home is stressful! Do yourself a favor and make sure that each family member has a suitcase full of their “essentials”. The essentials would be anything they can’t live without such as a phone charger, toiletries, clean pajamas and a towel.
Set up a safe room for kids and pets
In all of the chaos of moving to a new home, your pets and kids may feel overwhelmed and anxious. If you have the opportunity to set up a safe space for them, do it as soon as possible so that they have an area to hang out in where they will stay safe from all of the moving day activities.
Connect major appliances before there are obstacles in the way
This one is pretty self explanatory. You won’t want to be kicking boxes out of your way to make room for the major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers. If you have opted out of hiring local movers in Tucson, it is certainly worth finding out what equipment they use when moving major appliances. Work smarter, not harder!
July 19, 2019
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