From planning and
budgeting for your move, down to preparing for life in your new apartment, the
list of things to do before and after moving almost never ends. While many of
the important tasks after moving will require the services of professionals
such as changing your locks and setting up an alarm, some others are DIY tasks
and will require just little effort from you.
Moving
into a new home? Here is a list of important tasks you can do yourself to ensure
that you settle in smoothly.
Setup basic utilities
Ensure that
all your services and utilities are running smoothly.
Arriving at
your new home and later discovering at night that the lights don't work can be
very frustrating. Move around the house and ensure that all the basic utilities
are working properly.
Check if major appliances are still
working
If you moved
major appliances such as stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers, after you
settle down, you should check to see if they are still working and not damaged,
especially if these appliances were prepared by the mover. Damage may sometimes occur, particularly if
you are moving internationally.
Some movers
specialise in international moving (specifically between New Zealand and
Australia). Make sure to get more info when engaging their service.
Research and
find a moving company that can handle the locations involved in your move.
The timing
which you have to make a claim on your insurance policy may be limited and
since these appliances are high priced items you should immediately check to be
sure they are in working condition and inform the moving company as well as
your insurance company if there are damages.
Check all furniture and boxes
See to it that
nothing was damaged during the move by checking all pieces of furniture and
boxes. Also, you should ensure that every item arrived at your new home and
nothing is lost, this can be done by conducting a home inventory. If while checking
you discover that your items may have been damaged, contact your insurance
company and the mover to make a claim.
This should be done immediately after moving or you may not be
reimbursed by the insurance company.
Update
your mailing address
Register your new address and ensure that your
mails are being forwarded to the new address by checking with your old
residence and the post office. This can be done within the first week of your
move.
Connect with your neighbourhood
Subscribe to a
community magazine or local newspaper, this will keep you updated on the local
happenings and contacts.
Also, as soon
as possible you should reach out to your new neighbours with a friendly
gesture, as this will help neighbours to get acquainted and look out for each
other. Establishing a good rapport with your neighbours will also give you
access to valuable insider information such as the best roofing company in the
area and the plumber to avoid.
Clean Air Conditioner Condensers and
Evaporators
This does not
require the help of a professional, and although this will require some effort
from you, the impact will be felt later, when the summer heat sets in. First, you have to switch off the electricity
to the unit, after which you’ll use a soft-bristled brush to clean the outdoor
condenser’s fins. Once this is complete, you should clear away, weeds, bushes,
and long grass growing close to the unit. Inside the house, the blower
compartment should be vacuumed, the furnace filter on the evaporator unit
should be replaced, and ensure that the condensation drain is cleaned out.
Locate security sensitive power and
control areas
Areas such as
the fuse box, oil shut off, and/or propane, as well as the main water supply
control are major areas of focus. You need to know where the power and water to
your home can be shut off in case you have an emergency. Also, you should
familiarise yourself with how the furnace and gas are shut off. This will be
helpful when handling serious situations such as a fire.
Register your vehicle and get a new
driver’s license
If you have
moved between countries, provinces, or states ensure that you register your car
with the local authorities and get a new driver’s licence, number plates and
tags for your vehicle.
These
processes can be done in a day and can all be done at once, as it is impossible
to register a car without getting a driver's licence. Also, ensure that you
have carried out your research beforehand so you know the requirements and
documents you need for identification and proof of residency. If you haven't
moved out of your current state you may not need to get a new licence, however,
it's mandatory to register your vehicle in the new area.
Register as a voter
If you have
moved between cities ensure that you are listed as a registered voter in the
new area. This can often be done at the same time as your car registration,
just be sure you have access to the paperwork while it’s done. If you are
unable to do it when doing your car registration, you can do it later in a
local town office or online.
Collect and keep receipts safe
Ensure that
all receipts and documentation involved in your moving are carefully collated
and filed. While doing this, also ensure that you are in possession of your
bill of lading and payment receipts. If you plan to claim your move during your
next tax return, all of these documents will be necessary.
Research and find new service
providers
After moving
into a new area, you need to find new service providers in that area such as a
dentist, a doctor or a vet. This will
help you to contact the right people in the event of an emergency.
Review your insurance
Find out if
your current insurance policy covers you in your new area
or if new insurance such as health, household and car will be needed. This is
important if you are moving to a new state or province.
Transfer your medical records
Hopefully, you
will not be needing them. But, just in case, find a new primary health care
provider and transfer your medical records to them. Depending on the area you
move to your old provider may take up to a month to complete your paperwork,
and the process can be discouraging, but keep following up with them and ensure
that it is done.
Final Thoughts
There
you have it, 13 important DIY tasks you can carry out after moving. If all of these
tasks are properly checked off your list, you would have done a great deal to
ensure your smooth move to your new home. If you run into difficulties at any
point, do not hesitate to involve an expert.
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