The Day After a Move

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Scott's Discount Movers

You’ve finally done it.  You have successfully moved into your new home.  After taking a month or more to organize, pack and ship everything you own from one place to another, you probably feel like you need somebody to give you a high five.  Either that or you feel like you need to take a 2-day nap.  Either way, the worst is behind you right?  That depends on how much you moved and how well you organized the sea of boxes that now awaits you.  I hate to break it to you, but you’re not out of the woods yet.

The Party Has Only Just Begun

Before you even think about wading through the boxes that have sprouted like mushrooms in your new home, there are a few considerations most of us need to make first.  Not the least of which is “Where’s my outfit for work?”  Did you remember to pack an essentials bag that included everything you needed to get through the first few days at your new address?  Or, did you simply stuff the clothes you need for the office the next day into one of the many boxes now cluttering up your bedroom?

How about the coffee pot?  If you didn’t create a kitchen essentials box before the movers arrived the day before, you’re going to be hard-pressed to get your caffeine jolt the day after your move.  The same goes for the iron and ironing board.  These and other vital components of daily life can easily wind up buried alive among the hundreds of boxes littering your home.  The last thing you want to wind up doing is tearing through dozens of boxes the day after your move trying to find your dress shoes or the salt shaker.  Better to have planned, packed and labeled several essentials boxes before the move commenced.

Boxes, Boxes Everywhere

Image courtesy of flickr

Speaking of boxes, now that the movers have departed, it’s going to be up to you to sort, select and unpack each and every one of them.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is this chore doesn’t need to send you into therapy if you have established an unpacking plan.  Just as a smart homeowner starts off by packing the household items that are used least first, the opposite is true when it comes time to unpack.

This means assigning a value to each and every room in the house.  While you might have to keep your cars in the driveway for a week or so while you prioritize other parts of your home, do the garage boxes really need to be unpacked now?  Probably not.  How about the den?  Unless you use your home office to make a living, this room can also be relegated to the back of the line.

The kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, on the other hand, are priority number one.  That’s because unless you want to sleep on a bare mattress or eat out for the next few days, not to mention forego taking a shower until you manage to unearth the boxes or bags containing your towels, you probably want to get at these items right away.

Unless you plan on using the backyard barbecue as the primary method of cooking food for the first few days, you need to pack a kitchen essentials box that includes a pot, pan, salt shaker, dish detergent, sponge coffee pot, coffee & filters.  Cups, dishes, and silverware are not a necessity since the disposable variety make cleanup much simpler.  (Believe me when I tell you the last thing you want to have to contend with are dirty dishes, silverware, and glasses for the first few days.)

Bedroom essentials need to include a set of sheets, pillowcases and possibly a blanket for every bed in your home.  (Who needs a blanket in the summer?)  Bathroom essentials include towels, soap & shampoo, toothbrushes & toothpaste, toilet paper and disinfectant.

Image courtesy of flickr

The kids’ rooms will also figure high on your list, as will your pet’s provisions.  Unless you want to watch the nightly news on your smartphone, you’ll also need to locate the box containing the wiring for your entertainment center, not to mention the cable box and wifi router.  Cleaning supplies will also be at a premium when you first move into your new home, especially if you have kids and/or pets.

Once you have established a base camp, you’ll have more time to take the long view toward unpacking the rest of your belongings.  Below are a few other priority items you need to consider before the movers arrive.

      1.      Prescription medication & over-the-counter meds and ointments you use regularly

      2.      Checkbook and/or debit card

      3.      Glasses & contact lenses, saline solution and lens cleaner

      4.      Smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptop computers 

      5.      Pet food & bedding

      6.      A box containing basic cleaning supplies + 2 rolls of paper towels

      7.      2-days of clothing, including shoes & socks

Last but not Least

In the hustle and bustle of packing and moving, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked.  For instance, did you remember to tell your cable company and utility company to discontinue service at your former residence?  If not, you have just provided the new owners with a housewarming present they will enjoy and you will not.  Speaking of former residence, did you fill out and post a change of address form at the post office?  If you neglected to do this, all your mail will continue to be delivered to your former residence, including pre-approved applications for credit cards, among other things.

When it comes to getting on with your life, having your ducks in a row the day after a move can make all the difference between smooth sailing and winding up on the rocks.

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.