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Preparing to Move
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Written by Pam Minter
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Sunday, 30 April 2006 |
 Remember the old saying, “Expect the best, but prepare for the worst”. That can
basically sum up moving into a new home. Whether you are planning a move just
across town or a long-distance move across the country, being “PREPARED” is the
key word. But where to start, and what to do first – now, this is often the
dilemma.
Most people are excited about their
move because it was a decision carefully made based on the weather, beautiful
environment and recreational amenities. With many individuals choosing this area
for retirement, moving is a wonderful change in their lives and is approached
with great enthusiasm and excitement. Others may be moving because of a career
opportunity and can be faced with many other considerations for their family
such as schools, the best neighborhoods and the basic adjustments a family must
make. No matter what the actual reason may be, the research and gathering of
necessary information is essential.
Now that almost everyone owns a
computer, or has access to one, making use of the Internet can be most helpful
in your move to a new area. Check out The Chamber of Commerce, real estate
companies, moving companies and some general sites such as www.moving.com and
www.monstermoving.com. Of course, there are many other local sites available for
each area of the country. The information available on these sites can be very
valuable.
Local Information
• The Cost of Living
• Tax Rates
•
Average Home Costs
• Property Tax Information
• Population
• Air
Quality
• Seasonal Weather Information
• Average Power Costs
• Crime
Conditions
Moving Services
One important aspect of your move is the
choice of services for the actual move. Who should you use? A local move is just
as important as a long-distance one, and the common mistake many people make is
to depend on friends or family. This is such an important time to be organized,
so be careful who you select to help. If your budget allows you to use a
professional moving company, then by all means, alleviate the stress, and hand
over that responsibility to a good company. Now, how do you choose the best
company? Ask lots of people and gather all the information possible. Use the
Internet for the basic information, but personal references are always the best
resource. We have all heard “horror stories” about what can go wrong, but most
national moving companies have to maintain their reputation. Talk to your
realtor, banker, interior designer and neighbors in the area. It’s nice to be
able to compare pricing, and that can be done using the Internet. But be sure to
ask questions and make notes when getting actual quotes from moving companies,
and have your questions prepared ahead of time. Don’t rely on remembering
everything to ask. Get as much explained in writing as possible, and get at
least 3 quotes. This will be time well spent.
Who should you turn to for
the best help and advice during a move to a new area? There are a number of
professional people that offer services that can make life so much less
stressful during a move. Many builders in the area have interior designers that
not only work as a liaison for you and your builder, but also live here and can
offer insight into this very special part of the country. Also, your real estate
agent can be helpful and refer various service-oriented companies to you. Some
real estate companies have new services available specifically for their
client’s “move”. One of these is called the “Moving Coach” and is offered to
work on the more personal details for moving to a new town. I’m sure this is
just one of many services available through your real estate professionals. In
speaking with local realtors, they commented on offering their client’s special
insight and advice because Hilton Head is basically a “small town” but many of
your new neighbors might also be new to the area. Making their clients feel a
part of the community is what they try to achieve. This is when you will want to
explore what your Homeowner’s Association offers to the residents in your new
neighborhood, or in Hilton Head it’s known as your “plantation”. Research the
following services while you are preparing to move:
Important Check
List
• Banks
• Doctors
• Home Security
• Insurance Companies
•
Dentists
• Lawn Care
• Cellular Phone Service
• Attorneys
• Dry
Cleaners
• Cable Services
• Golf, Tennis, Exercise Clubs
• Hair
Salons
• Power & Gas Service
• House Of Worship
• Newspapers
•
Water Services
• Schools
• Magazines
• CPA’s
• Drug Stores
•
Newcomers Clubs
• Pest Control
• Post Offices
• Library
• Town
Hall
• P.O.A. Office
Sorting Through The Stuff
Before you get
quotes for that important move across the country, it is an especially good time
to evaluate your current furniture and all that wonderful “stuff” you have
accumulated through the years. This is the motivation we all need to clean out
and eliminate the truly unnecessary items we own. You should carefully inspect
all furniture for the condition and ask yourself – do I really like it as much
now as when it was new! We all have wonderful pieces collected through the years
that we should keep because they just can’t be replaced. But consider – sofas,
chairs, beds, large or old TV’s and worn out items as possible “Garage Sale” or
donation items. These items are heavy to move, and often in need of replacement.
Keep any beautiful antiques you own because with the current trend of eclectic
decorating, it will probably work somewhere in the new home. Or consider
offering a few of those items to your adult children so they can have a piece of
their history to enjoy.
Now, when it comes to your attic – clean it out
first if possible. Just like most of us, there will be items you haven’t seen or
needed in years! If you can eliminate these items, it will reduce the cost of
your move along with packing and storage.
Those Endless Boxes
The , and it’s a great service to consider. If you plan
to do this yourself, there are some great tips on the web site
www.moving-supply.com. Just be sure whoever packs the boxes clearly marks each
one with the room you prefer to have them placed in. Ask to have “no boxes” in
the kitchen. This will make life more pleasant during the crazy move-in day.
Supervising the move yourself is always wise because a careless worker could
place items in the wrong area, and it’s best to have it corrected while the
movers are there. Also, watch to see that all items on your inventory appear to
be unloaded.
DECORATING PLANS & PROJECTS
After the
exciting choice of your new home and you have signed on the dotted line, it’s
time to focus on the next phase of moving. If you have purchased a newly
constructed home, you have less preparation because there will be no need for
painting, repair or remodeling. But if you have purchased an older home, there
are many considerations before you move in. Begin by walking through the home
and creating a list of items you feel are priorities to attend to. Your realtor
can be very valuable during this time and of course you will have an inspection
before closing the sale to determine if there are any major
problems.
Inspect Wall & Floors
The flooring and walls are the two
main areas to evaluate for changes or cleaning. Carpet can often be left and
cleaned, but if the condition is not what you want then changing it before you
move is best. Installation of flooring is much simpler before furniture is ever
moved in. Also, it creates a more personal look to your home to have what you
prefer. This is the time to consider all the interesting choices of flooring
such as ceramic tile, wood, stone and, of course, the numerous styles of carpet
available. Next you will want to decide if fresh paint or wallpaper could be
done before you move in. If time allows, this is when you should redo all the
walls that may need it. Don’t forget the wonderful options of faux finishes and
textured walls. Also, inspect the ceilings – do they need repair or paint, and
consider how it will look with the freshly painted walls. This is often
overlooked. The exterior of the home can always be painted or repaired after you
move in. Concentrate on the interior first.
Careful Decorating
Decisions
Be sure you don’t make a rushed decision and paint all of the walls
off-white. If time does not allow for carefully thought-out decisions, save the
money and paint later. Also, don’t let a salesman convince you to do all of the
floors the same if you have always dreamed of each area being unique. This is
your home and you will be happier to get advice from professionals that will
have a complete plan in mind for each room. Many mistakes have been made by
homeowners that feel rushed into a decision. The process of planning and
decorating your home should be fun and rewarding. It is best to wait if you are
unsure.
Evaluating what to do in the way of “decorating the new home” can
seem overwhelming to most people. This is a good time to select an interior
designer from the area you are moving to. Establishing a relationship with a
local designer is important because each area is unique and it’s extremely
helpful to get good referrals from businesses they have used locally and trust.
Also, you can set up the priorities for each decorating project and a plan that
may take up to a year to complete.
One item to put at the top of your
list of priorities is privacy for the windows in your home. Many homes in our
area have an abundance of windows for views of the lovely landscapes. But a few
rooms need privacy and sun control such as bedrooms and bathrooms. So, having
custom window shades or blinds could be especially nice in those first few weeks
in a new home. Local home improvement stores have reasonably priced shades and
blinds if you are considering doing it yourself.
Storage
Evaluation
Another helpful project to consider before you move is evaluating
your storage. Do you have enough and is it convenient for your lifestyle?
Sometimes adding shelving to a closet or choosing a “closet specialist” to
redesign your closets is a tremendous way to make moving less stressful. Being
organized and efficient with your storage is a great way to save time. Also,
inspect the garage to see if it will accommodate your needs. The kitchen is
often the more complicated project, and remodeling will be much more involved.
If you have time to update with new hardware or a few new cabinets, then
definitely consider that as a priority. A totally remodeled kitchen can take
several months. New appliances should be considered if you can tell the age and
condition is questionable. Those items can be purchased and installed before the
move.
Electronics & Special Wiring
Many homeowners are trying to
prepare their home for electronics such as computers, fax machines, Internet
connection, home entertainment centers and the usual phones. If you are
purchasing an older home, you should check to see what is currently in the home
and consider adding more phone lines and additional wiring. Be sure to consult
with specialists in this field.
TIPS FOR “MOVE-IN” DAY
With the
best of plans for your move, try to be prepared for something unexpected to
happen. Just in case the truck is delayed, plan where you will spend the first
night or two. Check with the closest hotel and make sure you have a reservation.
Also, pack an emergency bag and a few necessities for those first few days of
unpacking.
Keep these items with you:
Snacks & Water
Paper
Cups & Plates
Paper Towels Garbage Bags
A Few Cleaning Supplies
Prescription Drugs
First-Aid Kit Flash Lights & Light Bulbs
Candles
& Matches Tool Box
Clothing A Few Towels & Blankets
Radio Toys
& Books For The Children
(And Don’t Forget Your Pets)
If you can
possibly look at this move as an opportunity to re-think your lifestyle and add
an element of simplicity, low-maintenance and efficiency, it truly becomes a
positive change. Maybe this is the perfect time to create an atmosphere in your
home you have always dreamed of. Our community is rather casual and “low key”,
so have fun with your decorating and include colors and fabrics that make you
happy. Make careful decisions and create a home that reflects your interests and
personality. Moving does not have to be a “Nightmare” if you stay focused on all
the positive changes you are making. Remember to get the advice and guidance
where you need it and prepare for an “Adventure”.
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