canvas gives you the opportunity to plan how your own belongings will fit in . Bring a tape measure to plan even more accurately where items like furniture will go — it will save you hassle when unloading the moving van later if you already know where things belong .
In addition to using the walkthrough as a vision board , it ’ s important to note that all of the terms of the sale were completed . Check on any agreed-upon repairs , appliances that were supposed to be left ( or were supposed to be taken out ), working order of outlets , switches and fixtures , etc . If there ’ s an issue , the sooner you bring it up with the appropriate party , the better .
If you ’ re moving out of state and an in-person walkthrough isn ’ t in the cards , schedule a virtual one with your realtor . Some companies also offer 3-D scans of living spaces so that you can take a digital tour on your own time , and measure dimensions from afar .
2 . Take Safety Precautions for Children and Pets
If you ’ re moving with young children or pets , you ’ ll need to take extra steps to ensure their safety in a new environment . In addition to the standard things — like outlets , sharp edges , open doors and windows — keep an eye on temporary moving-specific hazards as well .
Make sure scissors and box cutters are far from reach , keep boxes with dangerous items ( cleaning supplies , glass , etc .) in a separate space and ensure packing materials aren ’ t confused for playthings .
3 . Make an Unpacking Plan
It can be tempting to just dive right in , but when you just attack the boxes randomly you end up finishing the day with plates but no silverware , shirts but no pants and a hairbrush but no toothbrush .
Labeling your boxes ahead of the move is key , but so is planning what needs to be prioritized when you arrive at the new house . You might need kitchen items before you need to fill out the living room — unless you ’ re okay with takeout and would prefer to have your TV set up first . Plan what you want to have ready and then unpack in that priority order .
4 . Set up Utilities and Connectivity
You probably don ’ t want to spend your first night in your new house in the dark , so make sure that you set up your utilities ( electricity , heat , gas and water ) to be ready for your move-in date . You ’ ll also want to plan for Wi-Fi , phone connection and cable .
Some companies allow you to transfer service from one location to another ( this is obviously impacted by how far you ’ re moving ), but sometimes you have to completely cancel one location before starting over at another .