Moving is a big stress—similar to the really bad stuff like divorce and job loss. So even when things are going good, household stress is up there and everyone's nerves are out there competing to be the last one stepped on. If you are like the vast majority of the population, the thing that keeps you from sleeping soundly is the physical move--a weeks or months long process that will take up your every waking minute. It's mind boggling for even the most organized and minimalistic family; you've got to pick through and purge and wrap and get boxes and figure out how to pack the boxes and take apart the furniture and then get it all from point to point.
This is where a professional, full-service moving company can assist and let you focus on your new house, new job, new schools, and new day-to-day schedule. Whether you are moving across the neighborhood in Denver or across the country, every single thing in your old residence must be packed up or gotten rid of. Many people focus on the part of the move that includes loading the trucks and lumbering down the street, but like most household projects, the prep work is the iceberg and moving day is only the visible tip. An experienced team of professional full-service movers can assist you to navigate that iceberg for smooth and simple sailing right up to your new front door.
To Begin with, you've got to find the best moving company for you. Ask your family or your realtor for referrals, and interview a couple movers to decide on the best choice for you. In the event that you've never used movers before, there are a couple vital questions to ask.
-Are you licensed and insured? Ask to see a current copy of their commercial policy.
-What is your release rate, and are there options for high value items? Professional movers will look over all your things and point out existing damage or weak spots before they wrap, these days they will take pictures, too.
-Can I pack some things? Do you really pack dirty ashtrays? Some folks want to pack up really valuable or fragile belongings themselves, and most professional movers are okay with that. However, the pros really know how to wrap delicate belongings so there is less chance of damage, and to put those items in boxes so they're secure but not packed too tightly (fun fact: threading packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing packing paper into it reduces the chance the cup will crack). And most professionals will ask prior to they pack full trash cans--the ashtray might have happened but it's most likely an urban legend.
-Will you disassemble beds and furniture and assemble them in the new house? Full-service movers are experts at disassembling and reassembling anything from futons to beds. There are not many things in life which are a lot more satisfying than a man who understands the tricks of those little nuts and bolts. Also, they use their own tools so you're not rummaging through things that you just packed to uncover the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge the same no matter what services I want or can I pick and choose services? Again, the majority of movers will be flexible on service offerings. Nevertheless, you could end up paying a premium for piecemealing the services. If you think you'll save here and there purchasing your own packing supplies, or taking apart furniture, chances are pretty good that you won't. When you take into consideration that you will be charged higher prices at moving supply or big box stores and don’t know exactly how much you'll really need to buy, and might need to make make umpteen journeys to the store, having the professional packers do it is usually the lower cost option.
Now that you have hired the perfect movers—you are on their schedule for packing and loading and unloading--you can stop worrying about that portion of the move and move on to the nitty-gritty of starting life in a new house.
If you are moving locally in Denver, you are getting a break in that you can keep the nuts and bolts of your life the same--same schools, dentist, gym, etc. But if your relocation is not in the same town and you have got to make all new connections in your new town; the good news is that without the move stress hanging over your every waking moment, you can get going on all the details that turn a new town into a home town.
The devil is indeed in the details, so here are some suggestions to help you prioritize. Now is the time to gather all your important documents that are strewn all over and place them into a folder, either digital or a hard copy. You'll want to find birth certificates, social security numbers, medical and immunization records, driver’s license, passports—chances are that at some point in the near future you'll 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 conjure up your passport and go ahead and renew if it is out of date.
Schools
If you've got school-aged kids, getting them assimilated into their new environment as simply as possible is very important. Check with the local Board of Education to make sure you have the documents you need to register in their system. School districts have different proceedures in regard to attendance; some have rigid boundary lines and others are more fluid. If you are curious about magnet schools, you will need their guidelines to register for their programs. For proof of residence, you will likely need to have on-hand a copy of your deed, mortgage, or lease to confirm your address, and usually a utility bill as a secondary source. Also, don’t forget to obtain the most recent immunization records and transcripts from previous providers.
Health Care
Ask your primary care physician for suggested providers in your new area—there's sometimes a trusted buddy from medical school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large corporate networks you might be able to have an easy transition to a new group; if not your insurance carrier can steer you to in-network practices. It's likely to be more difficult to find the right pediatricians, internists, orthodontists and witch doctors, but be calm and you will find one you like. Do not forget about your prescriptions; most likely you will just have to change to the new location and keep the same provider.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be assisting you to make sure all your utilities are turned on and working when you get to your new residence, but you are the one who must set up the accounts and schedule service. You have got the necessities--power, water, and gas--where there is one provider and that's it. Most towns have several options for things like internet, telephone and cable service, and if your current provider does not service your new area you'll have to find a new one.
If your new neighborhood has an HOA they'll have all the pertinent information on items like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard now might be a good opportunity to upgrade the mower and blower, if not ask around for a good lawn service.
Personal Miscellany
Most states have a narrow timeframe for changing your address on your driver’s license, so take care of that as expeditiously as you can. Your cars also need to be registered in your new county or location; taxes sway greatly and you may discover a notable decrease or increase in your property taxes. You can change your voter registration at most license offices, and obtain the address of your new polling location.
As you can see, simply re-assimilating your life for a move is a lot of work, so why would you take on the work of the physical move when you can have a full-service moving company do that for you? Find the right professionals for your move so you can have time for the crucial things--like finding a dry cleaner and car wash close to the gym!
