Moving can be a great big stress—just like the really terrible tings like divorce and job loss. So even on good days, household stress is up there and everyone's nerves are wearing thin. If you are like most of the population, the thing that keeps you from sleeping soundly is the physical move--a weeks or months long process that seems to take up all of your time. It is staggering for even an extremely organized and clutter-free family; you've got to go through everything and purge and wrap and get boxes and figure out how to put everything in the boxes and take furniture apart and then transport it all from origin to destination.
This is where a professional, full-service moving company can provide their expertise and let you concentrate on your new residence, new job, new schools, and new life. Whether you're relocating across the neighborhood in Wichita Falls or across the country, everything in your old home has to be packed up or given away. Most people concentrate on the portion of the move that involves loading the trucks and lumbering down the street, but like most household projects, the prep work is the iceberg and the actual moving day is only the visible tip. A seasoned team of professional full-service movers can assist you to navigate that iceberg for smooth and easy sailing right up to your new front door.
For starters, you need to find the right moving company for you. Ask your family or your realtor for referrals, and interview a couple movers to decide on the best fit for you. If you have never used movers before, here are some crucial questions to ask.
-Are you licensed and insured? Ask to see a current copy of their certificate of insurance.
-What is your damage liability, and are there options for expensive items? Professional movers should inventory all your items and record existing damage or weak spots before they wrap, these days they'll take pictures, too.
-Can I box some of my things? Do you really pack dirty ashtrays? Most folks want to pack up really valuable or fragile belongings themselves, and most movers are alright with that. However, the pros really know how to wrap fragile things so there's a lessor chance of damage, and to pack those items in boxes so they are safe but not too tight (fun fact: twisting packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing newsprint into it reduces the chance the cup will break). And most professional movers will ask prior to they box dirty dishes--the ashtray may have happened but it is likely an urban legend.
-Will you take apart furniture and re-assemble them in the new house? Full-service movers are adept at disassembling and reassembling anything from dressers to beds. There are not many things in life much more pleasing than a man who knows the tricks of those little nuts and bolts. Also, professional movers have their own tools so you're not sorting through stuff that is already packed to locate the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge one price or can I pick and choose services? Again, the majority of movers will be flexible on service offerings. But, you may pay a premium for piecemealing the services. If you think you'll save here and there buying your own packing supplies, or disassembling furniture, you may want to add up the numbers. When you take into consideration that you will be charged more at moving supply or big box stores and have no idea how much you will really use, and will make several trips, letting the professional packers do it is a better bet.
Now that you have employed the best movers—you're on their schedule for packing and moving--you can check that off your to-do list and move on to the nitty-gritty of beginning life in a new house.
If you are moving locally in Wichita Falls, you're lucky in that you can keep the nuts and bolts of your life the same--same doctors, dentist, gym, etc. But if your relocation is not local and you have got to create a whole new database for life; the good news is that without the move anxiety hanging over your every waking moment, you can get going on all the details that turn a new town into a home town.
There are lots of details to pay attention to, so here are some suggestions to help you prioritize. For starters, you need to gather all your important paperwork that are scattered all over and put them into a folder, either digital or a hard copy. You'll need birth certificates, social security numbers, medical and immunization records, driver’s license, passports—at some point during the move and settling you will need to get your hands on everything. Changes in federal and some state laws require two forms of photo government ID, so yes, you do need to locate your passport and go ahead and renew if it is out of date.
Schools
If you have got school-aged kids, getting them sorted into their new environment as uncomplicatedly as possible is vital. Get with the local Board of Education to confirm the documents you need to register in the system. School districts have different policies in regard to attendance; some have rigid boundaries and others are more flexible. If you are interested in magnet schools, you'll need those guidelines to register for special programs. For proof of residence, you'll likely need to have on-hand a copy of your deed, mortgage, or lease to confirm your address, and most likely a utility bill as a secondary form of verification. Also, remember the current immunization records and transcripts from previous providers.
Health Care
Ask your current physician for suggested providers in your new town—there's sometimes a trusted buddy from med school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large networks of providers you might be able to make an easy transition to a new group; if not your insurance carrier can point you to in-network practices. It is likely to be more difficult to find the right pediatricians, internists, orthodontists and witch doctors, but be understanding and you'll find the right one eventually. Don't forget to transfer prescriptions; chances are good that you'll just have to switch to the new location and keep the same provider.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be helping you to make sure all your utilities are turned on and working when you arrive at your new home, but you are the one who must set up the accounts and schedule service. You have got the basics--power, water, and gas--where there is a solo provider and that's it. Most towns have several options for things like internet, telephone and cable service, and if your incumbent provider doesn’t service your new area you will need to find a new one.
If your new neighborhood has a Homeowners Association they'll have all the appropriate information on items like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard now might be a good time to upgrade the mower and trimmer, if not ask around for a good service.
Personal Miscellany
Most states have a fairly narrow window for updating your address on your driver’s license, so take care of that as swiftly as you can. Your cars also need to be registered in your new county or city; taxes sway widely and you may discover a decent decrease or increase in your property taxes. You can change your voter registration at most license offices, and get the address of your new voting location.
As you can see, simply re-assimilating your life for a move is a full-time job, so why would you take on the work of the physical move when you can employ a full-service moving company handle that for you? Find the right professionals for your move so you can have time for the important stuff--like finding a dry cleaner and car wash close to the vet!
