The Top 8 Things People Forget To Do Before They Move

The process of moving from one home to another can be an extremely daunting and challenging task. At Quality Services Moving in Virginia, we’ve helped hundreds of families safely move their furniture and belongings to their new homes. While there are a variety of things to remember during the relocation process, our moving experts have compiled a list of the top eight things people forget to do before they move, so you can be well prepared for the transition ahead.

Cancel Recurring Charges

When you’re in the thick of the moving process, it’s easy to let small things fall to the wayside. Make sure to take care of any gym memberships or other subscription services before you move to ensure those charges don’t continue to build up on your credit card. Most subscription services prefer you cancel recurring charges at least one month in advance, to ensure they have a full 30-day notice before canceling your services.

Change Your Car Insurancedreamstime_xxl_21157975

Whether you plan on moving across town or across the country, the Department of Motor Vehicles advises you to manage your car insurance during the moving transition, as states often have varying levels of coverage. Even if you plan on staying in the same city, insurance rates can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood and there may be deadlines for updating your coverage with your new address. Contact your car insurance provider a few weeks before your move to ensure you and your vehicle are properly covered.

Pack A Go-To Box

If you’re hiring a professional moving company to safely pack and move your belongings, make sure to pack a go-to box of essentials that will be easy to access at your new home. Your go-to box can include items such as paper towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes, water bottles, and other items you feel you may need right away. While it may take some time to unpack all of your boxes and get everything in order, you’ll be glad you packed a go-to box of “must-haves” for the first few nights in your new home.

Turn On Utilities

Have you ever unpacked boxes in the dark? Before you hire a professional moving company to help pack and move your belongings, make sure you set up the utilities at your new home. This can typically be done with a simple phone call to your utility provider to let them know you will be moving to a new home. Depending on the type of service you use, you may have the option of transferring your current utility service to your new home free of charge.

Think About Your Pets

If you plan on relocating with furry friends, try to make their transition as comfortable as possible. When you arrive at your new home, one of the first things you should do is set up a pet-friendly area for your dog or cat to roam. If your pet begins to exhibit anxious behavior due to the new environment, try throwing a few articles of already-worn clothing into the pet area to help calm your pet’s nerves. The simple smell of your personal scent will help your pets adjust to their new surroundings, making for a smoother and easier transition.

Transfer Your Prescriptions

If you currently pick up prescriptions from well-known chains like CVS or Walgreens, it won’t be difficult to transfer your prescriptions to a new location. If you use an independent pharmacy, they’ll likely handle transferring your scripts to a pharmacy in your new town. If you currently use a mail-order pharmacy to receive your prescriptions, be sure to call and update your address so your medications don’t end up being delivered to your old place.

Register Your Address Change

Although we live in a world that revolves around technology and e-mails, don’t forget to register your address change with the post office. While snail mail is slowly becoming a thing of the past, you may miss out on critical information, such as letters from the IRS, if you don’t update the postal service of your relocation.

Change Your Online Shopping Profiles

If you make purchases online through websites like Amazon or Groupon, you probably have 1-click ordering set up to make your online shopping experience a breeze. Make sure to change your primary shipping address on these profiles so your future purchases will be directly shipped to your new place of residence and not your old one. The last thing you’ll want to do is accidentally send your new washer and dryer to the wrong home, let alone the wrong state!

Quality Services Moving is proud to be a leader in residential and commercial moving services throughout Virginia. Whether you’re moving locally within the DC metro area or internationally, our moving and packing experts will give you the individual attention you deserve for a successful and stress-free move. With more than 20 years of experience in the moving and storage industry, we knowledge and skills to handle all of your moving, packing, and storage needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to receive your free in-home estimate!