Moving can be a great big stress—just like the really horrible tings like divorce and job loss. So even on good days, household anxiety is high and everyone's nerves are out there competing to be the last one stepped on. If you are like most of the population, the thing that keeps you from sleeping soundly is the actual move--a weeks or months long process that seems to consume your every waking minute. It is overwhelming for even a very organized and minimalistic person; you have got to sort and decide what to do with everything and wrap and get boxes and figure out how to put everything in the boxes and take furniture apart and then actually move it all from origin to destination.
This is where a professional, full-service moving company can assist and give you time to concentrate on your new home, new job, new schools, and new routine. Whether you are moving across the street in San Antonio or across the country, everything in your old home must be packed up or given away. Many people concentrate on the portion of the move that involves loading the moving trucks and lumbering down the highway, 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 help you navigate that iceberg for smooth and easy sailing right up to your new front door.
To Begin with, you've got to locate the right moving company for you. Ask your friends or your realtor for referrals, and interview a couple movers to decide on the right fit for you. In the event that you've never hired movers before, here are some crucial 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? Good movers should go over all your items and record existing damage or weak spots before they wrap, these days they'll take pictures, also.
-Can I box some things? Do you really pack dirty ashtrays? Some folks want to pack up really valuable or fragile items themselves, and most movers are alright with that. However, the pros really know how to wrap fragile belongings so there is a lessor chance of damage, and to put those things in boxes so they are safe but not packed too tightly (fun fact: threading packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing newsprint into it reduces the chance the cup will crack). And most professional movers will ask before they box full trash cans--the ashtray might have happened but it's likely an urban legend.
-Will you disassemble beds and furniture and assemble them in the new house? Full-service movers are skilled at disassembling and reassembling anything from dressers to beds. There are hardly any things in life more pleasing than a man who knows the tricks of those little nuts and bolts. Also, they use their own tools so you are not sorting through things that you just packed to uncover the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge the same no matter what services I want or can I select and pay for certain services? Again, most movers will work with you on service offerings. But, you could pay a premium for piecemealing the services. If you think you'll save a little purchasing your own packing supplies, or taking apart furniture, you may want to add up the numbers. When you figure up that you will be charged higher prices at moving supply or big box stores and have no idea how much you'll really need to buy, and might need to make make umpteen journeys to the store, paying the professional packers do it is a better bet.
Now that you have hired the perfect movers—you're on their schedule for packing and moving--you can check that off your to-do list and move on to the details of starting life in a new house.
If you are moving locally in San Antonio, you're fortunate in that you can keep the nuts and bolts of your life the same--same schools, dry cleaners, gym, etc. But if your move is not right around the corner and you've got to start rebuilding your network from scratch; the good news is that without the move stress hanging over your every waking moment, you can get a head start on all the things that turn a new town into a home town.
There are lots of details to pay attention to, so here's a cheat sheet to help you prioritize. Now is the time to gather all your important documents that are scattered all over and condense them into a folder, either digital or a hard copy. You will want to find 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 have these items on hand. 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 make sure and renew if it has expired.
Schools
If you've got school-aged children, getting them adjusted into their new environment as easily as possible is very important. Call the local Board of Education to make sure you have the documents you need to register in their system. School districts have different rules regarding attendance; some have rigid boundary lines and others are more fluid. If you are curious about magnet schools, you'll need those guidelines to register for special 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, remember 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 locale—there's sometimes a trusted buddy from medical school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large networks of providers you may be able to have an easy transition to a practice; if not your insurance carrier can direct you to in-network practices. It is likely to be hit or miss to find the right pediatricians, internists, orthodontists and witch doctors, but be calm and you will find the right one eventually. Do not forget about your prescriptions; most likely you will just need to switch to the new location and stay with the same company.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be helping you to make sure all your utilities are turned on and working properly when you arrive at your new house, but you are the one who must set up the accounts and schedule service. You've got the essentials--power, water, and gas--where there is a solo provider and that is it. Most towns have a number of options for things like internet, telephone and cable service, and if your incumbent provider does not service your new area you'll have to locate a new one.
If your new neighborhood has a Homeowners Association they will have all the relevant information on things like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard this might be a good opportunity to upgrade the mower and weed eater, if not ask the locals 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 quickly as you can. Your cars also need to be registered in your new county or town; taxes sway a lot and you may see a decent decrease or increase in your property taxes. You can update your voter registration at most license offices, and obtain the address of your new polling place.
As you can see, simply rearranging 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 manage that for you? Find the right pros for your move so you can have time for the important stuff--like locating a dry cleaner and car wash close to the gym!
