Make Moving in Smooth with This New Home Checklist

If you recently bought a new home or will close on one soon, congrats! Soon, you’ll move into your home. In the meantime, you’ll have to figure out how to bring your family and belongings from point A to point B.

The moving process is challenging, no matter where you’re going or what you want to bring. Fortunately, we’re here to help you out. Use our new home checklist to guide you through the steps you’ll want to complete before, during, and after your move.

Before Your Move

Time passes quickly as you prepare for your moving day. Do these things to make the most of your time before your move. 

Decide How You Want to Move

Look at your budget and the items you intend to move. Depending on how much you want to spend, you have many options for getting your things to your new home. These include:

• Hiring professional movers. 
• Renting a truck and packing up and moving things on your own. 
• Getting a moving container that you’ll load and unload yourself. 
• Hiring laborers to load and unload your belongings while you transport them to your new home. 
• Shipping your items to your new home. 

Buy Moving Supplies & Pack

Must-have moving supplies include:

• Cardboard moving boxes
• Tape for packing boxes
• Plastic wrap
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic bags
• Labels
• Markers
• Tools for taking furniture apart

When packing, it can be helpful to label boxes with the room they will be in. That way, whoever is helping you move knows where to place them in your new home. It can also be helpful to place furniture hardware, like screws, into a plastic bag and tape it to the piece of furniture so it doesn’t get lost.

Tell Your Landlord

If you currently rent, notify your landlord about your upcoming move in writing. Give your landlord enough notice to ensure that you’ll get your security deposit back. 

Transfer Your Utilities

Cancel your electricity, water, and other utilities at your current address and move them to your new home. Tell your utility providers when you’re moving, and they’ll ensure you keep your services at your present home until you move. At this point, these services will take effect at your next address. 

Transfer Your Phone, TV, Internet, and Other Services

Notify your phone, internet, and other service providers about your move. If these companies do not offer services where you’re moving, find out which businesses service this area and contact them to set up new accounts. 

Update Your Address

Fill out a change-of-address form. This usually takes just a few minutes to complete. It ensures that your mail will be forwarded to your new home starting on your move-in day.

Sell or Donate Items You Don’t Need Anymore

Plan a yard sale or sell items you don’t plan to keep online. You can also give your clothes, furniture, and other gently used items to Goodwill and other local charities.

Make a Plan for Pets and Young Children

You want all of your loved ones to stay safe during your move. If you have pets or young children, plan a safe place for them to stay while moving to ensure they don’t get lost or hurt.

During Your Move

When your moving day arrives, you want everything to go smoothly. Here are tips to help you achieve the result you want. 

Have Snacks and Drinks Available

Eat and drink regularly throughout your move. This helps you maintain energy and stay hydrated, even if things become hectic. Having paper plates, napkins, and cutlery on hand may be helpful.

Pack Strategically

The heaviest and largest items must go in first when loading a moving truck or trailer. Whether you’re working with movers or loading yourself, move smaller and lighter items out of the way so you can move larger items out of your home first.

Keep the Necessities Nearby

You and whoever is helping you move will want easy access to necessary items, such as a bathroom. Pack up items like a roll of toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels last, and then unpack those first in your new home.

This also applies to items like medications. Think through everything you need to access within a day and pack those items in a way that’s easy to reach.

Go Room by Room Through Your Home

Walk around your home and make sure everything has been packed. Remember to check inside all drawers, cabinets, and other storage areas. Finally, close the windows, shut off the lights, and lock the doors. 

Clean and Return Your Keys

If you rent, return your keys to your landlord before you move in. Make sure you leave your space as clean as possible to preserve your security deposit.

After Your Move

At this point, the majority of your move is complete. Use these tips to finish your move strong. 

Childproof Your New Home

If you have kids, install outlet covers and do other things to make your new home safe for your children. 

Unpack Your Most Important Boxes First

Put boxes in the rooms where they belong. From here, unpack boxes based on priority. Generally, it’s a good idea to unpack boxes for your kitchen and bathrooms first. Next, move on to boxes for bedrooms and other rooms in your home. 

Make Sure Home’s Smoke Alarms and HVAC System Work

Conduct a test of your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and HVAC system. If they don’t work, repair or replace them. 

Get a New Driver’s License

Update your driver’s license information. In Oklahoma, you have 30 days from the date you relocate to request a new driver’s license and state ID card. Submit your request through Service Oklahoma (SOK).  

Share Your New Address with Everyone Who Needs It

Give your new address to the IRS, your employer, financial institutions, and others. Update your address for voter registration, too.

Take Advantage of Our Checklist for Moving into a New Home

Go step by step through our moving to a new home checklist. This will help you avoid costly mistakes during your move. Plus, it boosts your chances of ensuring your move goes off without delays or interruptions. 

TimberCraft Homes is one of the leading contemporary home builders in Oklahoma. Use our checklist for your new home move. If you are looking for a home, check out our large selection of move in ready homes in Oklahoma City and Edmond. 

We are happy to help you find your dream home. Contact TimberCraft Homes to purchase a home in OKC or Edmond.