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An early and appropriate preparation often makes moving a home easier. But what if you have four weeks left to your moving date and you’re yet to start preparing for your move?
I guess there are so many things to be done including deciding on what to move or not, buying packing supplies, packing, disconnecting utilities and so many more. You wouldn’t want the moving company you hire to show up and you wouldn’t be prepared for moving out.
But don’t freak out! Four weeks is enough time to plan and move your home successfully. Here is a simple guide you can use for planning your move.
10 Things to do 4 weeks before Moving Out
1. Call your utility services company
Before moving out, you should consider contacting your utility services company to schedule when your utilities should be disconnected. Also, you can make up your mind on the date you want your utilities to be connected at your new home. Some of such utilities may include heating, water, electricity, and the Internet.
Arrange for your services to be disconnected a day after your move. You may need some of the services like electricity and water during the move. These services disconnection should be done to your advantage and not to make your moving out more difficult.
2. Find Moving Help
One of the best ways to make sure your move goes smoothly is to hire professional help. Today there are many options available for you to take advantage of in this space. Full service movers that’ll take full responsibility of every aspect of your move is one of the most popular option. But each move is different and the requirements are different. You might decide that hiring a full service moving company might be an overkill, in such a case you can hire moving labor and rent a truck and move that way. Whatever moving service option you choose, make sure you give yourself enough time to decide, research and book. Start by comparing some moving options.
3. Reserve a moving truck
If you’re moving out all by yourself, or with the help of moving labor, you’ll need to rent a truck yourself. Rent one as early as possible. Make sure you rent the appropriate truck size. It’s better to pick a truck size that is a bit larger and has more space than you need for your items. The rule of thumb is to hire a moving truck with a 10 to 15% more space than you need. See all necessary things to consider before renting a moving truck.
4. Make your entire travel plans
Before moving out, make up your mind on all your traveling plans and plan each route from start to finish. Your plans may include hotels to spend the night with your family or calls to colleagues or family members along your moving route. If you intend to fly your pets, ensure you have all the necessary and required documents and carrier.
If you’re making a long-distance move, consider giving your road map to a family member, friend or colleague who will not be traveling with you. Also, consider giving your road map to your moving company. Plan all aspects of moving your home from start to finish.
5. Make up your mind on what you need to move personally
Some of your items shouldn’t be left to the moving company, you’ll have to move them yourself. Decide on what items you’ll have to move personally. Such items could be clothing, games for kids, toiletries, books, jewelries, important documents etc.
6. Disassemble necessary items
Start disassembling items that can’t be moved in one piece. Check outdoor and disassemble any piece of furniture or children play areas, as well as swings and slides. Walk through the storage areas and garage and make up your mind on what you need to pack or not and what will be moving out with you or not.
7. Plan for your plants
Plants are one of the most common casualties of moving a home. If you have plants and you don’t intend to move them, find a new home for such plants.
However, if you intend to move your plants, get all the necessary papers and documents especially for an interstate move. Ensure you have a good and safe plan on how your plants will be transported.
8. Terminate all home delivery subscription
Terminate subscriptions to any home delivery service you have subscribed to. Some of such services may include subscriptions to bottled water, magazine, newspaper etc. Set the termination date to the day you’re moving out. Chances are some of those subscriptions could be useful on the moving day.
9. Change your address
To change your address, you should consider completing an IRS change of address form. Here are ways you can change your address according to USA.gov:
Change Your Address with the Post Office
- Fill out Form 3575 at your local post office.
- Change your address online ($1.05 online verification fee). Or, fill out and print the online form, then mail it in or take it to your local post office.
- Call the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and request Form 3575.
You can also ask the USPS to temporarily change your address or hold your mail.
Change Your Address with Other Government Agencies
Other federal and state agencies to contact when changing your address include:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Contact the IRS to change your address if you are expecting a tax refund or other mail. You can also change your address with the IRS by writing your new address in the appropriate boxes on your tax return when you file.
- Social Security Administration (SSA) – Change your address online using your my Social Security account if you receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or are enrolled in Medicare. If you don’t receive Social Security benefits or Medicare, contact the SSA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Contact the VA if you are a veteran who receives benefit payments or you wish to update your records.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Contact USCIS if you are a non-U.S. citizen who is required to register your address.
- State Motor Vehicle Agencies – Contact your state to change your address on your driver’s license or motor vehicle registration.
- State Election Offices – Contact your state election office to change your address on your voter registration record.
10. Never stop packing
The packing process shouldn’t be a one-time thing. Start by packing items you use less frequently. Get as many supplies as possible to make your packing easier. Packing supplies such as tapes, marker, labels, bubble wraps, boxes, unprinted papers etc. are very useful for packing and wrapping items safely.
All these can be done within the two to three weeks, leaving you with at least an extra one week to plan for any other thing you need for your move. But just before you leave, here are 8 things you should do before moving out of your home.
