Moving is a huge stress—similar to the really terrible stuff like divorce and job loss. So even in the best circumstances, household anxiety is high and everyone's nerves are wearing thin. If you're like the vast majority of the population, the thing that keeps you awake during the night is the actual move--a weeks or months long process that seems to consume all of your time. It is overwhelming for even an extremely organized and clutter-free person; you have got to sort and get rid of and wrap and get boxes and figure out how to put everything in the boxes and take apart the furniture and then transport it all from origin to destination.
This is where a professional, full-service moving company can assist and allow you concentrate on your new home, new job, new schools, and new life. Whether you are moving across the street in Tulsa or across the country, every item in your old residence has to be packed up or given away. Most people concentrate on the part of the move that includes loading the trucks and lumbering down the road, 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 stress-free sailing right up to your new front door.
For starters, you've got to find the best moving company for you. Ask your friends or your realtor for referrals, and interview a few movers to decide on the right choice for you. In the event that you have never employed movers before, here are a couple 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 do you carry a rider for expensive items? Good movers should go over all your items and make note of 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 box really valuable or fragile things themselves, and most professional movers are okay with that. But, the pros really know how to wrap fragile belongings so there is a lessor chance of breakage, and to place those belongings in boxes so they are safe but not packed too tightly (fun fact: twisting packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing newsprint into it reduces the chance the mug will crack). And most professional movers will ask before they pack up full trash cans--the ashtray might have happened but it is likely an urban legend.
-Will you disassemble beds and furniture and put them back together in the new house? Full-service movers are skilled at disassembling and reassembling anything from bookshelves to beds. There are few things in life which are a lot more satisfying than a man who understands the tricks of those little cams and bolts. Also, the movers bring their own tools so you are not rummaging through boxes to find the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge the same no matter what services I want or can I choose a la carte services? Again, the majority of movers will work with you on services. Nevertheless, you might pay a premium for only getting certain services. If you think you will save here and there buying your own packing supplies, or disassembling furniture, you might want to think again. When you figure up that you will pay more at moving supply or big box stores and do not know how much you'll really need to buy, and may make umpteen trips, paying 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 details of starting life in a new residence.
If your move is local in Tulsa, you are lucky in that you can keep the nuts and bolts of your life the same--same bank, dentist, gym, etc. But if your relocation is not local and you have got to make all new connections in your new town; the good news is that without the move stress consuming your every waking moment, you can get a head start on all the details that turn a new town into a home town.
The devil is indeed in the details, so here are some tips to help you prioritize. Now is the time to gather all your important paperwork that are scattered all over and condense 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—chances are that at some point in the near future 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 locate your passport and make sure and renew if it is out of date.
Schools
If you have got school-aged kids, getting them sorted into their new environment as smoothly as possible is crucial. Check with the local Board of Education to confirm the documents you need to register in their system. School districts have different policies regarding attendance; some have rigid boundaries and others are more flexible. If you're curious about magnet schools, you will need those guidelines to register for special programs. For proof of residence, you will most likely need a copy of your deed, mortgage, or lease to confirm your address, and most likely a utility bill as a secondary source. Also, remember to obtain the most recent immunization records and transcripts from previous schools.
Health Care
Ask your current doctor for suggested providers in your new area—there is usually a trusted buddy from med school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large corporate networks you may be able to facilitate an easy transition to a practice; if not your insurance carrier can point you to in-network practices. It's likely to be hit or miss to find the right pediatricians, internists, orthodontists and witch doctors, but be understanding and you will find a good match. Don't forget about your prescriptions; most likely you will just have to transfer to the new location and stay with the same company.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be helping you to ensure all your utilities are turned on and working when you get to your new residence, but you are the one who has to open the accounts and schedule service. You've got the necessities--power, water, and gas--where there is a solo provider and that's it. Most towns have a number of options for things like internet, telephone and cable service, and if your current provider doesn’t service your new area you will need to find a new one.
If your new neighborhood has an HOA they'll have all the appropriate information on items like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard this may be a good opportunity to upgrade the mower and weed eater, if not ask the locals for a good lawn service.
Personal Miscellany
Most states have a narrow window for changing your address on your driver’s license, so take care of that as promptly as you can. Your cars should also be registered in your new county or location; taxes sway a lot and you may find a decent decrease or increase in your property taxes. You can update your voter registration at most license offices, and find the address of your new polling place.
So, simply re-assimilating your life for a move is a lot of work, so why would you take on the burden of the physical move when you can hire a full-service moving company do that for you? Locate the right pros for your move so you can have time for the crucial things--like locating a dry cleaner and car wash close to the vet!
