Moving home comes with a multitude of choices. You must deliberate on the moving method, which furniture pieces to move, and which house to rent or buy. Add to that the option of scheduling a car shipping service from car shipping companies or driving the car by yourself. It’s no surprise that many people feel exhausted even before the actual move-out date.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded a list of five important things you should always consider when moving so you can save yourself some stress. Let’s dive right in.
Giving Notice to Your Landlord
Are you renting? According to landlord-tenant law, a renter must give their landlord proper notice before moving out of the rented property. The time duration of notice required depends on the terms of the lease. With that said, make sure you scrutinize your lease agreement for exact details on how to terminate it before making any relocation plans.
It’s prudent to mail the notice via certified mail so that you can have evidence that your landlord was served with the notice. Alternatively, you can hand-deliver it to them.
Here are what’s required in a written notice:
- The exact date when penning the letter
- Name of the property owner
- Address of the property
- Unit number
- Your intention to relocate
- Exact date you intend to move out
- Expected refund of your rental deposit
- Your signature
Hiring Movers or Do-it-yourself Move?
You have to decide how you wish to move. Do you want to hire a professional moving company? How about a vehicle shipping company? Or do you prefer doing it on your own?
Each method has its pros and cons. A DIY move affords you complete control over the whole process. You may also save money if you have a limited budget. However, be prepared to do the heavy lifting and tackle any unexpected problems, like breakages during transit, on your own.
On the other hand, hiring movers spares you from heavy lifting and sore muscles. Also, a professional moving company is efficient and will save you plenty of moving hours. However, be prepared to part with a substantial amount of money if you go this route.
Getting Quotes From Professional Movers
If you’re going to use a moving company, request quotes from at least three professional movers. Ideally, the movers should carry out a physical inspection or a video appraisal of your possessions before writing you an estimate. You should ascertain the estimated price first before agreeing to anything. Some of the common types of estimates include:
- Non-binding estimate: This is calculated based on the estimated weight of your belongings. It’s not set in stone and might change depending on the actual weight of the move, so you will end up paying more if your possessions weigh more than originally anticipated.
- Binding estimate: This is a fixed-cost estimate depending on the estimated weight of your items. If you settle for a binding estimate, you will pay the original quoted price and no more or less.
- Binding not-to-exceed estimate: This type of quote states that even if the weight of your belongings goes beyond the original estimate, you won’t be charged anything on top of what was originally quoted. But if your items weigh less than what was originally quoted, you will only pay for the price of hauling the actual weight. As such, you may end up paying less than what was initially agreed upon.
Strategizing Your Packing Process
Start packing non-essential things first when moving home. These are simply the items you won’t need in the days or weeks ahead of your impending move. They include:
- Books
- Home décor items
- Electronics
Pack essentials on the last day before your move. These include:
- Toiletries
- Dinnerware
- Kitchen items
- Clothing
This is also an opportune time to eliminate excess items that won’t serve a role in your new abode. Begin by sorting out which items you wish to donate. You can contact your local donation center to arrange for a pick-up for heavier furnishings and old books. Remember to keep those donation receipts for the next tax season.
Another option is to sell the excess items. From outdated furniture to old clothing, many consignment stores will buy second-hand items.
Informing Your Service Providers
A few weeks before your move, contact all utility service providers to notify them about your upcoming move. Some of the common home utilities and services include:
- Water and sewer
- Gas
- Electricity
- Security system
- Housekeeping
- Pool maintenance
- Phone
- Garbage collection
- Internet
- Landscaping
If you’re relocating within the same town, you can consider transferring utilities to your new residence. But, if you’re moving out of state, then you will need to find new utility companies in the area and arrange for installation dates before your move-in date.
The Bottom Line
You’ve located your dream home and are ready to move in. Your upcoming relocation will be less daunting if you stick to the strategies mentioned above. Moving home can be relatively stress free with an organised approach. Remember to involve a reputable moving company if you choose to use one and plan well for a hassle-free move.
Sources:
https://www.moving.com/tips/moving-yourself-vs-hiring-movers/
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/telling-your-landlord-you-are-moving-out-4158013
https://www.moving.com/move-planner/
https://www.moving.com/tips/the-three-different-kinds-of-moving-estimates-explained/
Need more moving home inspiration? Read this post on avoiding House moving stress.