Moving is a huge stress—right up there with the really terrible stuff like divorce and job loss. So even when things are going good, 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 awake during the night is the actual move--a weeks or months long process that seems to take up all of your time. It's staggering for even a very organized and minimalistic person; you've got to go through everything and decide what to do with everything 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 let you concentrate on your new house, new job, new schools, and new day-to-day schedule. Whether you're relocating across the street in El Paso or several states away, everything in your old home has to be boxed up or thrown out. Most people focus on the part of the move that involves loading the trucks and driving down the street, but like most household projects, the preparation 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 easy sailing right up to your new front door.
To Begin with, you need to find the best moving company for you. Ask your family or your realtor for referrals, and interview a couple movers to find the right fit for you. In the event that you've never used movers before, here are some vital questions to ask.
-Are you licensed and insured? Make sure see a current copy of their commercial policy.
-What is your release rate, and do you carry a rider for fine furniture or antiques? Professional movers will go over all your items and point out existing damage or weak spots before they wrap, these days they'll take pictures, in addition.
-Can I pack some of my things? Do you really pack dirty ashtrays? Some folks want to pack up really valuable or delicate belongings themselves, and most professional movers are alright with that. However, the pros really know how to wrap delicate belongings so there is not as much of a chance of breakage, and to pack those items in boxes so they're safe but not packed too tightly (fun fact: twisting packing paper through the handle of a coffee cup or mug and stuffing paper into it reduces the chance the mug will break). And most professionals will ask before they pack up full trash cans--the ashtray might have happened but it's most likely an urban legend.
-Will you take beds and furniture apart and assemble them in the new house? Full-service movers are adept 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 knows the tricks of those little nuts and bolts. Also, professional movers have their own tools so you are not sorting through stuff that is already packed to pinpoint the screwdrivers.
-Do you charge the same no matter what services I want or can I select and pay for certain services? Again, the majority of movers will work with you on service offerings. However, you might end up paying additional for piecemealing the services. If you think you'll save some purchasing your own moving supplies, or taking apart furniture, you might want to think again. When you take into consideration that you'll pay more at moving supply or big box stores and do not know how much you will really need, and will make several trips, having the professional packers do it is usually the lower cost option.
Now that you have appointed 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 specifics of starting life in a new home.
If your move is local in El Paso, you are lucky in that you can keep the nuts and bolts of your life the same--same bank, dry cleaners, gym, etc. But if your relocation is not right around the corner and you've got to create a whole new database for life; 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.
The devil is indeed in the details, so here are some tips to help you prioritize. Now is the time to gather all your documents that are strewn 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 dig out your passport and go ahead and renew if it has expired.
Schools
If you've got school-aged children, getting them assimilated into their new environment as simply as possible is vital. Get with 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 boundaries and others are more fluid. If you are interested in magnet schools, you'll 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 form of verification. Also, remember to obtain the appropriate immunization records and transcripts from previous schools.
Health Care
Ask your current physician for suggested providers in your new town—there is usually a trusted buddy from med school they can recommend. As so many practices now are part of large corporate networks you might be able to make an easy transition to a provider; 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 persistent and you'll find a good match. Do not forget about your prescriptions; chances are good that you'll just need to change to the new location and stay with the same company.
Utilities and Maintenance
Your realtor may be working with you to make sure all your utilities are turned on and working when you get to your new home, but you are the one who must open the accounts and schedule service. You've got the essentials--power, water, and gas--where there's a single provider and that is 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'll have to research a new one.
If your new neighborhood has a Homeowners Association they will have all the pertinent information on items like trash pickup, mail delivery and lawn maintenance standards. If you manage your own yard this may be a good time to upgrade the mower and weed eater, if not ask around for a good service.
Personal Miscellany
Most states have a fairly narrow window for changing your address on your driver’s license, so take care of that as expeditiously as you can. Your cars should also be registered in your new county or city; taxes vary greatly and you may find a notable 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 location.
So, simply rearranging your life for a move is quite time consuming, so why would you take on the stress of the physical move when you can hire a full-service moving company handle that for you? Locate the right pros for your move so you can make time for the crucial stuff--like locating a dry cleaner and car wash close to the dentist!
