Moving is a great big stress—similar to the really bad tings like divorce and job loss. So even in the best circumstances, household tensions are high and everyone's nerves are are about worn out. If you are like the vast majority of the population, the thing that keeps you from sleeping soundly is the actual move--a weeks or months long process that seems to take up all of your time. It is mind boggling for even the most organized and clutter-free person; you've got to go through everything and decide what to do with everything and wrap and get boxes and figure out how to put everything in the boxes and take apart the furniture and then actually move it all from origin to destination.
This is where a professional, full-service moving company can take over and let you concentrate on your new residence, new job, new schools, and new routine. Whether you're moving across the street in Austin or several states away, everything in your old house has to be boxed up or thrown out. Most people focus on the part of the move that includes loading the trucks and going down the highway, but like most household projects, the preparation is the iceberg and the actual moving day is only the visible tip. A seasoned team of professional full-service movers can assist you to navigate that iceberg for smooth and stress-free sailing right up to your new front door.
To Begin with, you've got to find the best moving company for you. Ask your friends or your realtor for referrals, and interview a couple movers to find the right fit for you. In case you have never employed movers before, there are a couple crucial questions to ask.
-Are you licensed and insured? Make sure see a current copy of their certificate of insurance.
-What is your damage liability, and do you carry a rider for expensive items? Professional movers will look over all your belongings and record existing damage or weak spots before they wrap, these days they will take pictures, also.
-Can I box some items? Do you really pack dirty ashtrays? Lots of people want to pack really valuable or delicate belongings themselves, and most packers are okay with that. But, the pros really know how to wrap delicate belongings so there is a lessor chance of damage, and to place those belongings in boxes so they're secure but not too tight (fun fact: threading packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing packing paper into it reduces the chance the cup will break). And most professional movers will ask prior to they pack up full trash cans--the ashtray could have happened but it's most likely an urban legend.
-Will you take beds and furniture apart and assemble them in the new house? Full-service movers are experts at disassembling and reassembling anything from futons to beds. There are not many things in life much more gratifying than a man who knows the tricks of those little nuts and bolts. Also, the movers bring their own tools so you are not rummaging through things that you just packed to locate the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge the same no matter what services I want or can I select and pay for certain services? Again, most movers will work with you on services. Nevertheless, you may end up paying a premium for piecemealing the services. If you think you will save here and there buying your own moving supplies, or disassembling furniture, you might want to think again. When you take into consideration that you will be charged more at moving supply or big box stores and do not know how much you'll really need to buy, and will make several journeys to the store, paying the professional packers do it is usually the lower cost option.
Now that you have hired the perfect movers—you are on their schedule for packing and loading and unloading--you can stop worrying about that portion of the move and move on to the specifics of starting life in a new residence.
If your move is local in Austin, you're getting a break in that you can keep the fundamentals of your life the same--same schools, dentist, gym, etc. But if your move is not right around the corner and you've got to start rebuilding your network from scratch; the good news is that without the move anxiety consuming your every waking moment, you can get going on all the items that turn a new town into a home town.
The devil is indeed in the details, so here's a cheat sheet to help you prioritize. For starters, you need to gather all your important documents that are scattered all over and place them into a folder, either digital or a hard copy. You will want to find birth certificates, social security numbers, medical and immunization records, driver’s license, passports—chances are that at some point in the near future you'll need to be able to find all of these things. Changes in federal and some state laws require two forms of photo government ID, so yes, you do need to conjure up your passport and make sure and renew if it is out of date.
Schools
If you have got school-aged children, getting them sorted into their new environment as uncomplicatedly as possible is crucial. Check with the local Board of Education to validate the documents you need to register in their system. School districts have different policies regarding attendance; some have rigid boundaries and others are more fluid. If you are interested in magnet schools, you'll need their guidelines to register for their programs. For proof of residence, you will most likely need a copy of your deed, mortgage, or lease to confirm your address, and usually a utility bill as a secondary form of verification. Also, remember to obtain the appropriate immunization records and transcripts from previous schools.
Health Care
Ask your primary care physician for suggested providers in your new town—there's sometimes a trusted buddy from med school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large corporate networks you might be able to make an easy transition to a practice; if not your insurance carrier can direct you to in-network practices. It is likely to be hit or miss to find the right pediatricians, internists, orthodontists and witch doctors, but be persistent and you will find the right one eventually. Do not forget about your prescriptions; most likely you will just have to transfer to the new location and keep the same provider.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be assisting you to ensure all your utilities are turned on and functioning when you arrive at your new residence, but you are the one who needs to open the accounts and schedule service. You have got the essentials--power, water, and gas--where there's a single provider and that's it. Most towns have several options for communication services, and if your current provider does not service your new area you will have to find a new one.
If your new neighborhood has a Homeowners Association they will have all the appropriate information on items like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard this might be a good time to upgrade the mower and blower, if not ask around for a good lawn service.
Personal Miscellany
Most states have a fairly narrow window for changing your address on your driver’s license, so take care of that as quickly as you can. Your cars should also be registered in your new county or location; taxes vary a lot and you may discover a decent decrease or increase in your property taxes. You can change your voter registration at most license offices, and find the address of your new voting location.
As you can see, simply rebuilding your life for a move is a full-time job, so why would you take on the burden of the physical move when you can hire a full-service moving company do that for you? Research the right pros for your move so you can make time for the vital stuff--like finding a dry cleaner and car wash close to the gym!
