It’s easy to fail to plan for a short-distance move, but these tips can help thwart headaches down the road.
Don’t Kid Yourself
Don’t lull yourself into believing that the move isn’t going to require effort. To the contrary, a short move is just as labor intensive as a cross county relocation. It’s not uncommon for the moving truck to arrive only to find the client in a state of panic, with expensive décor thrown in plastic bags in a last minute packing effort. The only difference between a short move and a long move is the road in between.
Pack For Vacation
No, moving isn’t going to be a vacation but pack for a short trip anyway. Bags should contain enough personal items to sustain a few days “away” from home during the transition phase of the move. Items to include are toothbrushes, medications, personal hygiene necessities, and clothing.
Sell It And Forget It
If you’ve been holding on to those ugly Christmas sweaters since 1992, now’s a good time to share the Yuletide love with someone else. There is someone out there who either really needs your old stuff or knows someone who does. A yard sale might be in order a few weeks prior to packing. Clear out everything you absolutely don’t need about a month pre-move. This is especially important if you are selling your home, as clutter can create an image of a less valuable house. If you need a helping hand in that arena, Carmack Moving and Storage now offers home staging services, which include storage of the items you do plan to take with you.
Contact Key Officials
Even if you are just moving a few streets away, you’ll still need to advise the post office, schools, insurance providers, and county clerk’s offices of the relocation. If you are a registered voter, you’ll need to update that information too, since some offices are very location-specific, such as Aldermen and State Representatives. As well, it’s a good idea to inform your employer; they’ll have to update their employee tax records, adds Carmack Moving and Storage.
Transfer Utilities
It’s easy to forget to switch the cable or water over in the midst of a move but if you are staying local, it should be a fairly painless process.
Keep The Kids Informed
It might be super exciting and even fun to dream of your new home but parents that small children are especially prone to attachment. Even tiny babies are aware of their surroundings. We believe that kids should be informed about every detail of the move, especially if they are moving away from the only home they’ve ever known. It’s a good idea to visit your new home a few days before the move, if possible. If you can, let the kids take a few personal belongings to their new room before they get there, that way they will have something familiar waiting.
Ensure Animal Safety
Animals are sensitive to stress and moving will wreak havoc on their nerves. Don’t let the dog get skittish when you are feeling frazzled. If the new home is fenced, let them spend some time in the backyard while the movers are working. If not, board them at a local kennel for the day, so that you don’t have to worry about Fido bolting out the front door. You don’t need the added trauma of losing a family member.
