How to Move to a New House

• Step 1

  Packing smart is the best way to make your move to a new house smooth. Before beginning to pack, make a plan for how you will use each room in the new house. Once this is done, you tag your furniture with their destination room using paper luggage labels bought from an office supply store. Label each box with the name of the new room to which it should be taken and be disciplined not to put anything that belongs in a different room into one of the boxes.

• Step 2

  Set unpacking priorities using colored dot stickers on the boxes. Put a green dot on boxes that contain essential items that you should unpack immediately like the things you need on your desk or personal hygiene products for the bathroom. Place a yellow dot on boxes that need to be opened within a week of the move. Place a red dot on things that you will not need to unpack right away like holiday decorations, for example.

• Step 3

  Schedule an afternoon to make telephone calls related to your move to a new house. Before beginning, make a list of the calls you must make and the telephone numbers. Leave space on your list to write down any confirmation numbers, outstanding balances, the names of the people with whom you speak, and any other important pieces of information. Make sure to include the moving company or truck rental agency, utility companies and your children's schools. If you are moving out of the area, call your children's pediatrician to get copies of their shot records. If you have a pet, get their shot records from your veterinarian. If you are moving into a new house which you have purchased, call your Realtor to learn whether you need to arrange for water, sewer and trash services. Send a change of address notice to the post office. You can do this online or in person.

• Step 4

  Arrange for help on the moving day whether or not you hire professional movers. If you have small children or nervous pets, a friend or relative should be delegated to care for them on your moving day. Delegate one friend to direct the moving crew to place boxes and furniture in the correct rooms. Once the movers are finished, first make the beds. Next, unpack your office, the kitchen and the kids' toys. Make sure that older children know what tasks they can do to help and that younger children know where they should play to stay out of the way.

• Step 5

  Purchase fast food, pizza or hero sandwiches on paper plates to serve to your family and the people who helped with the move. Make sure to have paper cups as well as plenty of canned beverages in the refrigerator. If you arrange to do all of this ahead of time, your moving day will be tiring but not overwhelming. Plan to take breaks especially if your moving day is hot. Then, within the first two weeks, change your address at the drivers license bureau, change your voter registration, and get a new library card.

• 5
• Colored dot stickers Luggage tags Telephone numbers for utilities Change of address form Paper plates and cups Plastic utensils Fast food Canned beverages
• Colored dot stickers
• Luggage tags
• Telephone numbers for utilities
• Change of address form
• Paper plates and cups
• Plastic utensils
• Fast food
• Canned beverages

References & Resources

• United States Post Office to change your address
• Uhaul for moving supplies