Moving across the country is a part of life when everyone wishes they had some sort of minions to do all the tasks for them. The cruel reality is that you have to do it yourself or share the burden with someone who’s relocating with you. Do not despair – a professional cross-country moving company is there ready to help you. Try the following tips for what you have to do after moving cross country and this quest will become less overwhelming and confusing.
Definitive Checklist of Things to Do After Moving to a New State
When it comes to things to do after moving, it’s all about not forgetting anything and doing it in the correct order. That’s why it’s important to have an excellent checklist of all the tasks you’ll have after long-distance moving. Follow the steps on our list and make this part of moving state to state as much stress-free as possible.
Doing a Walk-Through Should Be the First on Your Checklist of Things to Do After Moving
The first answer to What do I need to do after I move is to take a good look at where you’re going to live. It would be best to take a video or photos of the place before you even put one item inside – just like making a photo inventory. That way, if there is any possible damage, your landlord can’t blame it on you, and you can ask them to fix it. Everything you agreed upon should be done and everything should work – the stove, air conditioner, fridge, etc. If you’re moving to a smaller home, you won’t have much work, but if you’re moving furniture to a bigger place, this might take a while. Be sure that your cross-country movers know what you plan to do so that they don’t wait outside for too long. After all, long-distance movers are there to unload the truck and take everything to your place.
Take a Look and See Where Your Fuse Box and Shut-off Water Valves Are
Use this opportunity to see where the main electrical panel is and where you can shut off the valves in case of an emergency, such as leakage or a short circuit. After that, you can call anyone more specialized to take care of the problem. It will make you feel safer if something goes wrong.
Make Sure That Everything You Packed Arrived at the Destination
If you’ve invested in cross-country moving services, you should create a household inventory list, and you are supposed to bring one copy with you. That way, you can check what items have you packed in the best-sized boxes for moving and what arrived. It will give you full control over the move – nothing will be missing or forgotten, which is one of the great answers to how to deal with moving stress. As the long-distance movers unload everything, you can mark it on the inventory list.
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If You See That Anything Is Damaged Upon Arrival, Contact the Company That Moved You
Damaged expensive or important items are one of the main reasons for anxiety about moving out. Even if you followed the recommendations for moving company, something could break by accident. It doesn’t even have to be a human error, especially when it comes to packaging fragile items. Because of that, you have to inspect every item you shipped to another state and see whether they look the same as when you wrapped them. If any damage happened, take photos of it and contact the company right away to file a claim. If the item was insured, you will get the money from the insurance company.
What to Do After Moving Into a New House? Set the Utilities Up
The basic essentials you must have are water, gas, and electricity. If they have been shut down, you need to pick a provider and call them to get them running. If you did this in advance, you’ll have one worry less. If not, it’s no biggie. There’s also a chance that the utilities are running but in the name of the previous tenant, so you need to transfer them to your name. After everything is set, you can connect your appliances.
One of the Best Things to Do After You Move is to Set up the Internet Now as Well
Especially if you work from home and have to start the following day. Nowadays, nothing can be done without a good wifi connection, so choose one of the best providers and get a good deal. The same applies here as with the utilities – if there is a deal already, just call the company and transfer it in your name. Somebody from the company will come to set up a router, and you’re good to go.
Wondering About Things to Do After Moving Into a New House? It’s Time to Clean Your Home
Once you arrive at your new place, you’ll probably want to unpack everything and start arranging, but that would be one of the common moving mistakes – there is something on the checklist you have to do before that. Even if you’re the first owner, or if the person before you already did some cleaning, you should clean it yourself before putting the rugs, and furniture, and bringing the boxes. If you do this afterward, you’ll have twice as much work, since you’ll have to move all the stuff to clean the floors. Also, putting the contents of your boxes on something you’re not sure is clean is pretty bad. While you’re there, take a look if anything got dirty during the transportation. Get the vacuum cleaner and all the supplies and do a good scrub of every room. If you’re moving for a relationship, ask your partner to split the tasks to make all of this easier and faster. In case you’re moving to another state alone, ask someone to help you.
Next Item on the After Moving Checklist – Unpack the Essentials and Arrange the Furniture
You’ve learned the answer to What to keep with you when moving – moving essentials like toiletries and change of clothes must be with you at all times, so now you can start unpacking them and put them in their new place. After that, you can start deciding what will go where and you can figure out your sleeping arrangements. Fully assemble the bed – or don’t, it’s up to you. You can place the rugs if you have any and arrange the couches, sofas, and chairs. If you choose to move IKEA furniture, you’ll probably need some time to figure out how to reassemble it. It would be good to have the instructions available somewhere.
High on the List of Things to Do When You Move Is to Child- Or Pet-Proof if It’s Necessary
If you’re moving with kids or moving with pets, you have to keep everything that might be dangerous out of their reach to keep everyone safe. These situations are very unpredictable, and both kids and animals like to touch stuff that is unfamiliar to them, so all potentially critical items must be removed. If you see any sharp edges or electricity that’s unprotected, be sure to cover them, at least with some temporary method until you buy what you need to fully remove the threat.
This Is One of the Crucial Things to Do After Moving to a New Home
Kids and pets sometimes have a hard time adapting to another location, so a potential injury or damage can only worsen the situation. Once you’re sure that nothing can hurt your pets or kids, try to spend as much time as you can with them. It will help them relieve stress and understand that nothing bad is happening.
Now You Can Unpack the Rest of Your Belongings
It’s finally the time to arrange everything that’s left to your liking. While you unpack after a move, you can show your creativity and maybe fix some things that used to bother you in your previous house. If you wish to change anything in the place, notify the landlord and also take photos of how the space looked before you changed it. For example, if you’re putting some shelves on the walls and you have to make holes, keep in mind that you’ll have to fix those holes once you move out.
One of the Most Important Things to Do After Moving Into a New Apartment is to Make Sure You’re Safe
If you can change the locks before the first night. If the previous owner still has the keys to the house you’re living in now, it’s not very safe to leave all of your belongings inside, nor to sleep in there. Even if you’re moving to the suburbs and the area seems pretty safe. If you’re moving to a big city, this is a must, but don’t forget to use the tools to help you check how safe is your neighborhood regardless. Be sure you’ve set up a security system as well to feel more protected and put up a sign on the door or windows that the house is secured. Another security-wise thing is to see if the smoke detectors work (if you have them installed). Newer ones have a button to see whether they work or not, while for the older models, you would have to make some smoke. If your home doesn’t have smoke detectors at all, don’t forget to call someone right away and install them. Better to be safe than sorry.
Transfer Your Medical Records and Get a New Driver’s License
Since you learned how to organize important papers before getting cross-country moving services, now you have to update them. Remember where you put the file with all of your documents and call your local DMV to arrange to get the driver’s license for another state and license plates. Also, find a new healthcare provider for you and anyone who moved with you, and ask the previous one to transfer all of your medical records.
Change the Mailing Address Since You’ve Changed Cities
Do you know how to change your address when you move? If you haven’t done it before calling a long-distance moving company, you’ll have to do it now. There’s an easy way – just go on the website of the US Post Office. Here’s who needs to know that you’ve changed your address:
- Tax agencies,
- Social Security Administration,
- Insurance companies,
- Bank and credit card companies,
- Loan providers,
- Your employer,
- Financial agencies,
- Magazines, clubs, organizations, or anything you’re subscribed to.
In case you don’t do this ASAP, you might be stuck in a situation where someone else is receiving all of your important mail and even risking felony if they open it. Follow our tips and avoid any inconvenience.
Do You Feel Like You’re Home?
At the moment when you set everything up the way you wanted, you’ll start feeling like you’re finally in your nest, just at another address. Then, the only thing left is making friends in a new city by introducing yourself to all of your closest neighbors. Nobody expects you to do it right away – take time to rest from relocating. Even with all the assistance of long-distance moving services, packing services, secure and punctual auto shipping, and safe storage, getting rid of all the packing supplies, unpacking, and everything else may seem overwhelming. Even if you worked with a highly professional cross-country moving team and followed all tips on the checklist, things get a bit overwhelming. But now that it’s over, enjoy your perfect home and your hard work. You deserved it.
There are many cross-country moving companies out there, but you’ve come to the right place. Our team will have your back, no matter where you want to move, so contact us and let us plan everything.
FAQ
What to Do Immediately After Moving?
After moving into a new home, it’s important to prioritize a few key tasks to ensure a smooth transition. First, unpack essentials such as clothes, bedding, and kitchen items so you can settle in comfortably. Next, update your address with important contacts such as the post office, bank, and utility providers to ensure a seamless transition. Check the utilities, such as water, electricity, gas, and internet, to make sure they are functioning properly. Take time to meet your new neighbors and explore the area, getting a feel for the community. If necessary, register to vote in your new location. Finally, give your new home a thorough cleaning to get rid of any dust or debris from the move.
Where Do I Start After Moving?
After moving into a new home, the first step is to unpack and set up essential items such as a bed, kitchen and bathroom, to make the space livable. Then, update your address with important contacts such as your bank, government agencies and utility providers to ensure all of your bills and correspondence are sent to the right place. Once these tasks are done, you can then start to focus on settling into your new space and making it your own.
What Is the First Thing to Do When You Move Into a House?
When you move into a new house, the first thing that you should do is make sure it is clean. Thoroughly vacuum and mop all of the floors, dust furniture and surfaces, and clean windows, bathrooms, and kitchen. Additionally, it is also important to check for any potential pests or infestations such as bugs or rodents.
What I Need to Do When I Move?
The first step is to make sure all necessary information is gathered. This includes researching the area you’ll be moving to, making a list of essential items you’ll need, and making sure all paperwork is in order. The next step is to arrange for packing supplies and transportation. Make sure you have boxes that are sturdy enough for your items, as well as bubble wrap or other materials for delicate items. You should also make sure to book a moving company in advance – if you’re using one.
What Should I Not Forget When I Move?
It’s important to make an inventory list of all your belongings and pack them in sturdy boxes or bags for transport. You should also research movers in advance so that you know who will be handling your items, as well as check if they offer any insurance or guarantees on their services. On the day of the move, don’t forget to take photos of each room before packing up your furniture and appliances – this will help with any disputes over the damage later on down the line. Lastly, make sure to keep essential documents such as passports, birth certificates, and bank statements safe throughout the process.
What Should I Do the Last Day Before I Move?
To make sure that your move goes smoothly, it’s important to plan ahead and prepare for the big day. Make sure all of your belongings have been packed in boxes or suitcases, and take pictures of your current home so that if anything gets damaged during the move, you’ll have photographic proof. Double-check that all utilities are canceled at your old place and turned on at your new one. Dispose of any hazardous materials such as paint cans or cleaning supplies safely, and in the end, don’t forget to return any borrowed items such as library books or tools from neighbors.
What Day Should You Not Move House?
If you want to have an overall better relocation experience, avoid moving house on a Friday. Relocating can be an incredibly stressful process and the last thing you want is to have your entire weekend spent packing, unpacking, and dealing with the stress of getting everything situated. There are many different tips that can make moving house easier, but ultimately it’s best to avoid doing so on a Friday to avoid the added stress of having a limited amount of time.
What Day Should You Not Move?
The day when you should not move is Saturday or Sunday. This is because many places, such as banks, post offices, and government offices are closed on weekends, making it more difficult to complete certain tasks related to moving. Moreover, services such as movers may be limited in availability and will cost more on this day, adding to the frustration of relocating. Cost-wise, you should also avoid relocating last minute, because the price of cross-country moving service can skyrocket, so book your cross-country movers at least two weeks ahead.
