Moving into a new home is not an overnight decision or process. Moving requires long term planning and can be a very stressful event, and even more if you’re moving with family. However, having everything organized can help ease moving stress significantly. Use this check list to alleviate moving stress and go through a smooth transition into your new home.

8 Weeks

• Buy a fresh new file to keep a record of all transactions, records, receipts, bills etc related to moving.
• Make a moving budget so you can make a rough estimate of each expense such as hiring movers, transporting fee and other things.
• Search online and offline for facilities in the area of your new home. This is a good time to start getting familiar with the area, so once you move in the place is not that alien to you.

7 Weeks

• If you’re moving to a new city or an area that is far off from your old home in the same city, then start collecting all medical records; ask your health clinic or doctor to refer you to a health clinic or doctor near your new home.
• If your children will move into a new school as you move your home, then gather their educational documents and get their records transferred to the new school.
• Check your insurance policy to see if it covers your new home; if not, then see what measures you can take to fix the problem.

6 Weeks

• Make a list of people that you need to inform about your move.
• Make a list of valuables such as jewelry, passports, and other important things that you have to take with you.
• Start to clear your home; put away things that you don’t need on a garage sale. Therefore, you have fewer things to carry and some extra cash too, at the end of the day.
• Contact the local mail office and other businesses to inform them about your new home address so they can redirect the mail accordingly.

5 Weeks

• Get in touch with the moving company and give them an estimated day and date of the move so they’re not busy elsewhere.
• Buy boxes and other supplies that will come in handy to pack your things.

4 Weeks

• Notify your moving company about the final date and time of the move; don’t keep it for the last minute to avoid any mishaps.
• Call up utility service companies to inform them about your change of address so they can transfer or cancel your account; whichever is suitable. Give them a suitable date so you have everything in order once you enter your new home.

3 Weeks

• Start packing belongings that you don’t use too often. If you’re moving in summers; then pack winter clothes and accessories first.
• Get your vehicles serviced, you probably don’t want to go looking for a mechanic after the very first few days of the move.

2 Weeks

• Get in touch with the community center in your new area to confirm your moving date so they can arrange parking space for your trailer or truck. Also inform the immediate neighbors before hand to avoid creating a scene.

1 Week

• Finish packing. Label the boxes for easy identification. Label the boxes by room.
• Pack clothes and valuables that you will need soon after moving in.
• Separately pack a suitcase with clothes and other items that you will need immediately after moving in. Make sure not to send this with the movers but keep this with you in your car.
• Provide the movers with an estimated number of trucks or vans you will need to move your items.

Moving from Your Old Home into Your New Home

When you’re leaving your home, make sure you’ve switched off all meters, electrical outlets and gas valves. Recheck your rooms and cabinets to see if you’ve missed out something just in case. Make sure everything is loaded onto the moving truck and unloaded once you reach your new home. Once you enter your new home, check for all utilities and connections. Check where the boxes need to be kept, and unpacked. Unpack items first that you will need to use soon, such as kitchen appliances, etc.

This detailed checklist makes your transition to your new home smooth and easier. Moving companies can help you make your transition even smoother, as they provide qualified movers who take care of your items and help you unpack too.

Author Bio: Stephen Roshy is a passionate writer and blogger. He has years of experience in writing content on various industries. Useful information for this article is provided by Local moving company “Help2move”. Get in touch with Mr. Roshy on Facebook , Twitter and Google+.