8 Things to Expect on Your First Move

You are about to make your first move, and the thought of a new home, perhaps a new life is exciting! And there is a lot of work to do, and it requires some planning. Here are 8 things you can expect to do which will ensure your move is a success.

1) Get a To-Do List Ready

The first thing to expect on your first move is an enormous number of tasks in a short amount of time. That’s why a to-do list is a good idea; it helps reveal those things you didn’t even think of initially, and you’ll be surprised how long your list will grow. Examples include the time it takes to disassemble large furniture, ensuring you have enough insulation for your fragile pieces, buying a packing tape gun.

Spend some time building a good to-do list and get some input – preferably from someone who already has a few moves under their belt. Invest time in planning with a to-do list and you’ll be rewarded by a much smoother move!

2) Find a Moving Company

Moving companies like Hendra Moving are experts in getting your items from your old home to your new home safely, quickly, and efficiently; especially when you’re pressed for time. (And who isn’t these days?)

And if you find out you have less space than you thought or too many items to move Hendra Moving is also a storage company, so we can help you with that.

By the way, if you choose Hendra Moving and Storage, consider writing a review after your successful move. Sharing feedback about your recent experience helps us and our entire industry. Even if you have a challenge or a dispute, we welcome the feedback.

3) Transferring/Connecting Utilities

You’re focused on making sure all your belongings get to your new home safely, with unpacking and setting up shop, so it’s easy to forget to deal with utilities. You’d be surprised how many people do.

BC Hydro provides a grace period after a previous tenant moves out, but you’re expected to call in and set up your own account when you move. You can set up an account up to 60 days in advance, and once a property is in your possession, you’re responsible for paying for the electricity used. This applies even if a service agreement hasn’t been signed or you aren’t the one using the electricity at the property.

Make sure your electricity and internet are connected in your home before you move in. You’ll want to let your friends and family know you’ve arrived safely, and be able to cook a warm meal and cool your drinks after a hard day’s work!

4) Changing Locks

One thing you might not expect to do on your first move is to change exterior locks. The previous homeowners would have given you all their copies, but what if they lent a key to their neighbours and never asked for it back? By changing your exterior locks, you can feel secure about your new home and ensure only your family has access to your house.

5) Check Electrical Box and Water Valve

Ensure that you’re familiar with where your main water valve and electrical box are in your new home in case of emergency. By identifying where these are, it will help you easily locate them in the case of a broken line, a renovation or a natural disaster.

6) Re-Clean

If you’re moving into a rental residence someone recently vacated, consider doing a deep clean. Tenants moving out are required to thoroughly clean, but you have no idea if they planned as well as you did. Many don’t, and with poor planning, almost everyone finds themselves running short on time, which means they take shortcuts where they can. Almost no one takes the same care to clean a place they are leaving as compared to the place they are setting up.

A thorough clean also gives you an opportunity to inspect for any additional damage you may have missed, which you can either bring to the attention of your new landlord or have repaired immediately if you’ve purchased a new home.

7) Paint Walls and Ceilings

Before you move in, you might consider or even expect to change the interior of your home wall colours. It’s the perfect time to paint your new home before any furniture or boxes are in the way. Painting your new home before moving in helps you create your home the way you want it even before you unpack everything. There’s lots of paint companies out there, like Cloverdale Paint, that you can pick up a gallon or two and get painting.

8) Prepare a First Night Move In Box

A first night move-in kit is a smart idea because you’re not likely to remember where everything is packed, or the box you need to get to might be buried. ready. Avoid all the frantic searching. Prepare a Move-in Box with a change of clothing, basic toiletries, toilet paper, pyjamas, towels, bed linen and any other essentials you may require, such as tea bags or a coffee plunger.

It’s the little things that make us feel at home, and so make sure you have all your essential items – your little things – in a readily accessible box.

Expect to do these 8 things on your first move and expect excellent service from Hendra Moving should you choose us as your moving company.