{"id":2349,"date":"2015-11-16T19:49:54","date_gmt":"2015-11-16T19:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.geraniumhomes.com\/blog\/?p=2349"},"modified":"2017-09-14T16:34:16","modified_gmt":"2017-09-14T16:34:16","slug":"moving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/moving\/","title":{"rendered":"Helpful Tips for a Smooth Move"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Moving<\/a>Congratulations on the purchase of your new home!  You\u2019re ready to start a new chapter in your life!  Moving to a new home is so exciting \u2013 a chance to declutter and start fresh. At Geranium Homes<\/a>, we\u2019ve had the opportunity to share in the joy of moving into a new home with more than 8000 families.  And we\u2019re pleased to share a simple checklist of useful tips that will help make moving a smoother transition.<\/p>\n

8 Weeks<\/strong> Before Your Move<\/i><\/span>
\nStart a Moving File<\/strong>
\nYour first step should be to create a file that can hold every detail of your upcoming move. Use a sturdy box or folder to keep all the important documents and receipts in.  Don\u2019t rely solely on your computer, as there will be times during the move where you may not be able to access things immediately.<\/p>\n

Research Moving Companies
\n<\/i><\/strong>As soon as you know the \u201cwhen\u201d it\u2019s time to hire a moving company. Make sure to ask if the company is insured and if they hire full or part time movers, rather than temporary movers as this can affect the quality of your move.  Stay within your budget, but do your homework.  Often cheapest isn\u2019t always the best. Here’s a consumer checklist<\/a> for choosing a moving company.  If you\u2019re going to move yourself, it\u2019s time to contact the local rental agencies.  Don\u2019t just assume that they will have a vehicle available the day before you move.<\/p>\n

7 Weeks<\/strong> Before Your Move<\/i><\/span>
\nCreate a Floor Plan<\/strong>
\nDraw a floor plan<\/a> of every room of your new home, and then take a look at your existing furniture.  It\u2019s helpful to know early on if and where those favourite pieces are going to fit in your new home.<\/p>\n

Make an Inventory List<\/strong>
\nOnce you\u2019ve gone through your floor plan, it\u2019s time to make a list of the items you\u2019re going to bring to your new home.  Figure out how you\u2019re going to pack and move them, some things will need special attention such as electronics, valuables or extra large items.  There are many checklists<\/a> available online that can get you started.<\/p>\n

\"Loving<\/a>

Loving this printable home inventory checklist!<\/p><\/div>\n

Get your Packing Supplies<\/strong>
\nStart looking at what packing supplies you\u2019ll need. Bubble wrap, boxes and tape are essential but may be overlooked in the excitement of packing. Make a list<\/a>, and start getting those supplies now.<\/p>\n

\"Check<\/a>

Check out these tips<\/a> on where to find moving boxes free of charge!<\/p><\/div>\n

6 Weeks<\/strong> Before Your Move<\/i><\/span>
\nTake pictures<\/strong>
\nBefore you move or pack anything, take pictures of your current home as snapshots to look back on. Especially if this was your first home, it\u2019s a place that you\u2019ll always hold dear to your heart. It may also help with planning your d\u00e9cor in your new home!<\/p>\n

Sell, Donate & Throw Away Unnecessary Items<\/strong>
\nWhen in doubt, toss it out!  It may be hard, but it\u2019s time to discard items you no longer need. This will make it easier when you\u2019re moving and in the long run be less expensive. A good way to get rid of unwanted items is having a yard sale, not only will it clear the clutter but will bring in some last minute cash. If a yard sale\u2019s not for you, simply donate those items to local charities or homes in need.<\/p>\n

5 Weeks<\/strong> Before Your Move<\/i><\/span>
\nLabel Boxes<\/strong>
\nBy properly labeling which room each box should go in you\u2019ll save time and headaches. It may seem like a minor detail, but you\u2019ll thank yourself on moving day. Assign different colour duct tape or stickers to each room so that the boxes are easier to identify.  We’ve got some label templates on your Pinterest board<\/a> that may help.<\/p>\n

Talk to your Children<\/strong>
\nThis can be a difficult time for kids; especially if you are moving away from the only home they\u2019ve known. Get them excited about the move by letting them be part of the decision-making process.  Be sure to keep them up to date with all moving information and give them an idea of what will happen on moving day.<\/p>\n

4 Weeks<\/strong> Before Your Move<\/i><\/span>
\nNotify Utilities<\/strong>
\nWith just one month to go, make sure you contact utility companies and arrange for transfer of services.<\/p>\n

File Change of Address<\/strong>
\nNotify all banks, insurance companies, service providers and creditors of your address change. This can be done easily by contacting Canada Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"canadapostaddresschange\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3 Weeks <\/strong>And Counting<\/i><\/span>
\nEat Frozen\/Perishable Food <\/strong>
\nConsuming your frozen\/perishable foods will not only save you money during these hectic few weeks but it will also make it easier when you\u2019re moving.  It\u2019s also a good excuse to invite some of your closest neighbours over and say \u201cgoodbye\u201d with a fun potluck!<\/p>\n

Pet TLC<\/strong>
\nThis is a good time to take your pets to the veterinarian and ensure their shots are up to date.  Moving can be extremely stressful for pets, and your vet could offer some good advice for a smooth move.  We found some great tips<\/a> to help your pet with the move.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Here are some great tips<\/a> for moving your pets!<\/p><\/div>\n

2 More Weeks<\/span><\/strong>
\nFinish Packing<\/strong>
\nPack<\/a> important and sentimental items so they are easily accessible.  Attaching a list of contents to the outside of the box can prove a lifesaver as moving day draws nearer.<\/p>\n

Confirm Move<\/strong>
\nMake sure to reconnect with your movers to discuss your move times and confirm the expected cost for your move.<\/p>\n

Scout Essential Stores<\/strong>
\nTake the time to scout out your new neighbourhood and create a quick list of places to shop for those last minute supplies after the move. Also, jot down some nearby places to eat, or to get take-out, the last thing you want to worry about is cooking and cleaning dishes during your move.<\/p>\n

1 Week<\/strong> To Go<\/i><\/span>
\nDefrost Appliances <\/i><\/strong>
\n<\/b>Refrigerators and freezers are some of the most difficult appliances to move from one house to another. Defrosting these appliances before<\/i> moving day can save you the inconvenience of problems like ice and condensation.<\/p>\n

One Last Clean<\/strong>
\nCleaning the inside of your home before moving out is simply common courtesy. Make the task easier by following these simple steps<\/a>. <\/strong>New homeowners understand that spending a lot of time on cleaning is the least priority, however a nice alternative is hiring a cleaning service.<\/p>\n

The Day Before<\/em><\/span><\/strong>
\nPack a Bin of Essentials<\/strong>
\nPut together a bin filled with things you\u2019ll need immediately after you move in. You can include things like: garbage bags, scissors, wet wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates\/cups, plastic forks, knives and spoons and don\u2019t forget the soap, hand and dish soap. Place this bin in the car, that way you have immediate access to it once you\u2019ve arrived at your new home.<\/p>\n

\"Thanks<\/a>

Thanks to Hip2Save for their amazing Essential Bin<\/a> idea!<\/p><\/div>\n

Take a deep breath<\/strong>
\nMoving can be a very exciting time, take the time to enjoy your new space while you open a box (or two). Here\u2019s a checklist<\/a> of the things to consider for your first night in a new house.<\/p>\n

Time to celebrate the memories you\u2019ve made in your home and start making new ones. Cheers to a smooth move!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! You\u2019re ready to start a new chapter in your life! Moving to a new home is so exciting \u2013 a chance to declutter and start fresh. At Geranium Homes, we\u2019ve had the opportunity to share in the joy of moving into a new home with more than 8000 families. And READ MORE ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,10],"tags":[334,313,335,250,336],"class_list":["post-2349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indoor-living","category-lifestyle","tag-checklist","tag-moving","tag-moving-tips","tag-new-home","tag-packing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2349"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2349\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3689,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2349\/revisions\/3689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}