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Relocation Advice - Including Long Distance Moving Tips
OPH Good Housekeeping & HomemakingOur relocation advice aim to provide you with all the advice you’ll need when that day comes, and you decide to relocate. Our tips will be split into 4 distinct categories: Prior to the movePacking tipsDay of the movePost relocation Prior to the move Why don’t you sell off any unwanted items in a car boot or garage sale; this will provide you with some funds which can be used to give yourself a treat as well as lightening your load.Purchase items which will help you with your move, you should think about getting such things as bubble wrap, old newspapers, boxes, tape, scissors, etcA few weeks in advance hire a reputable removal company to transport your belongings to your new home. This will have to be done in advance as you may find if you do it too late your chosen removal men might well be booked for your specific date(s).When you move house you will have to phone the utility companies (gas, water, electricity) to let them know you are moving, thus giving them a specific date to turn off the relevant utility.Also you should contact the utility company responsible for supplying your new home, giving them a specific date to switch things on. Another good piece of relocation advice is, before you pack your belongings into boxes allocate a colour or number to the different rooms of your new house. If you do this you will be able to pack items into boxes which correspond to a specific room in your new home by marking each box with the relevant number or color. This will make things easier when it comes to unpacking your belongings.When it comes to packing make sure you start it early, things will be stressful enough without having to worry about not having enough time to pack your belongings.Another piece of relocation advice is to phone whoever supplies you with your telephone system and let them know about your move, perhaps you can keep the same phone number or ask them to allot you a new number.You will also have to contact your doctor and dentist to let them know you are moving so that medical and dental records can be transferred.It might also be a good idea to check out different doctors or dentists in your new location to verify which ones have the best reputations. Before you move it will be a good idea check out the local schools in the area to verify which ones are the best and then register your children with them. Try and do this a good few weeks before you move, because if anything it’ll be one less thing to worry about when you get towards the “business end” of moving.Notify your post office as well as any publications you have subscribed to of your change of address, as you don’t want important documents going to the wrong address.Changing insurance policies is another important piece relocation advice. You’ll have to call your household insurance provider and update your records.Another important relocation tip is, if you are renting your current abode make sure you give your landlord at least 4 weeks notice, or what ever time period is stated in the original tenant agreement.If you are provided with satellite or cable television, make sure you contact your provider to tell them you are moving and perhaps get the system installed at your new premises.If you are a member of a church or any clubs, gyms etc, you’ll have to inform them you are moving and if possible update your details or give them sufficient notice to terminate your membership agreement, perhaps if you pay for your membership in advance you can ask for some sort of refund.Another good relocation tip is to back up your computer files before you start to dismantle it and pack it away, you need to do this incase your computer is damaged in anywayBefore you move you’ll have to contact your bank to tell them you are moving, and perhaps update your details or close your account. If you close your current bank account, you’ll have contact a new bank account to open an accountPrior to the move Another piece of relocation advice is; when packing your belongings it’s very important to take a couple of things into account. Firstly, make sure you keep items which are of value to you – whether it be sentimental or monetary value – this will help give you piece of mind.Secondly, perhaps you can consider packing a box or bag with important items you’ll need when first arriving at your new home, these may include toiletries, medicines, champagne (well, you may want to celebrate your arrival at your new home in style!!). You may want to pack a bag to open first for your children, this perhaps can contain items such as toys, teddies, dolls, CDs, video games etc. As you pack your items (especially the expensive ones), it may be a good idea to note the condition of them, and get the removal company to sign something if you can so if your belongings are severely damaged the removal company can be held accountable.When moving house if you are packing your belongings into boxes make sure you put heavy items into small boxes as larger ones are less stable, thus being less likely to hold the weight of the item, also it limits the amount of heavy items that you can fit in one box.. Conversely lighter items should be placed in larger boxes.When packing boxes on top of each other a good relocation tip is place any boxes with fragile items within them on top of non fragile items. Also it is a good idea to write “fragile” in big letters on relevant boxes so that you and the removal company can take care when moving them.Wrap any fragile items, such as crockery and glassware individually in old newspaper or bubble wrap, if they aren’t wrapped individually there is a chance they will bang together and break.If you still have the original packaging for appliances such as DVD players, then pack them in these, as they will fit perfectly into their original boxes.When dealing with tables or desks, take them apart and tie panels and legs together securely with rope and any nuts and bolts should be tape securely to the corresponding piece of furniture.When dealing with chairs try and protect the arms and legs by using bubble wrap.Another good piece of relocation advice is to use your drawers to full advantage, why not pack them with clothes, CDs or other items? This will allow you to free up space. Day of the move You need to make sure your freezer has fully defrosted, because if it hasn’t then water will start to leak from it in transit and could end up ruining the rest of your belongings.Water your plants and then cover them with a plastic bag with holes in to allow them to breathe properly and not dry out during transit. When you have watered and covered your plants place them in boxes.Make sure all your pets are accounted for, as you don’t want to leave your little companions behind. Place your pets into carriers. Make sure you don’t put your pets into the back of removal vans as this action could seriously stress them out. This is an important relocation tip to take into consideration.Before you set off give the utility companies a quick call to check that they have switched everything on, as you don’t want to spend your first night in your new home in darkness.Before you finally leave your home check every room, cupboard, summerhouses, garages and sheds to make sure you have not left anything behind.Make sure that you have the money, along with tips, to hand over to the removal men at the end of the day. This will save you the embarrassment of searching through boxes to find your purse/wallet. Post relocation When you get to your new home test the smoke detectors and if necessary change the batteries in them, you don’t want any nasty surprises during the night.If people have helped you during the move, say, friends, family or neighbors a friendly thing to could be to send them a thank you memento for helping you.If you are unsure about the level of security at your new home you may want to think about changing the locks to put your mind at ease.Finally you’ll need to write a note to family and friends you want to keep in contact with to tell them your new telephone number – if you have to – and your new address. Thanks for checking out our OPH Good Housekeeping Relocation tips. If you are having trouble digesting mortgage jargon check out our mortgage jargon buster. Related Links
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