Relocations are never easy, especially during this time of the year. The summer heat makes everything more sluggish, and your kids’ time off from school means an extra pair of legs running around the house. To make matters worse, summer is a busy season for moving companies in Oklahoma City, making booking your ideal moving day harder.
Once you do book a date that works perfectly for you and your family, avoiding mistakes is crucial to preventing extra costs. In this busy environment, reviewing the 10 things most people forget to do before a move can help you be prepared to avoid them!
The 10 Things Families Forget to Do Before Moving
1. Change Your Address
One of the most important things to do when you move is to notify all important institutions about your change of address. This includes postal service, banks, credit card companies, and subscriptions. Failure can lead to delays in important mail or packages, so plan for this step before your moving date!
2. Transfer or Cancel Utilities
Among all the packing and downsizing, some people often forget to schedule disconnection at the old place and activation at the new one. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, trash, and even lawn services.
Don’t be like most people, or you could end up paying for two services simultaneously—or worse, having no utilities at your new home upon arrival!
3. Label Boxes Clearly
Many people do try to label their boxes, but they fail to do it properly by putting signals at the tops of boxes, which will not be visible when several boxes are piled up. Some simply skip labeling entirely.
This leads to higher risk of damaging your delicate belongings, so label the sides of each box with the room where it should go and what’s inside to speed up the unloading process.
4. Set Aside an Essentials Box
Before a move, it’s crucial to pack a box with essentials for the first 24-48 hours, including toiletries, chargers, medication, tools, basic utensils, a change of clothes, and more.
5. Back Up Important Files
Back up your laptop, phone, or external drives beforehand, as you never know if electronics could be lost or damaged during the move!
6. Take Photos of Electronics and Setup
People often forget how their TVs, computers, or entertainment centers were connected, making setup after the move a challenge. To prevent that, snap a quick photo of your cables before unplugging—this will save time later.
7. Dispose of Hazardous Materials
Movers won’t transport certain items like propane, paint, cleaning supplies, or batteries. Instead of traveling with them, it’s best to dispose of them safely and buy new ones at your new home.
8. Clean and Repair Your Old Place
People often forget final touch-ups, spackling holes, or deep cleaning the fridge and oven, whether renting or selling. This could result in extra cleaning fees from your former landlord, so allocate some time for a final cleaning!
9. Notify Friends, Doctors, and Employers
You probably already told friends and family about the move, but have you reached out to important family healthcare providers, like your dentist or pediatrician? Have you reached out to your employer?
10. Find Reliable Moving Companies in Oklahoma City for Your Summer Move
Finding the ideal moving company is crucial to avoid stress before a summer move. Companies like Pink Zebra Moving go beyond moving your belongings from one place to another and now offer packing supplies, packing services, and a friendly attitude while working, too!
DIY moves can be costlier than professional moves because unwanted costs tend to emerge later. If you’d like to know about our prices or compare options, find a location near you and reach out!