There are few things as exciting in life as moving into a newly built home. Building a custom home can sometimes be a bit stressful, especially since it can take a while to do.

However, you’re not quite done yet even after the house is complete; after all, you still need to move in. The following are ten tips that you should know about moving that will help make the process as stress-free as possible:

1. Budget for your move – One of the biggest mistakes new homeowners make is to budget for the construction of their house without budgeting for their move. Whether it’s hiring a moving company, renting your own moving truck, paying for gas and hotel fees or buying packaging materials, moving costs money – so make sure you budget for it.

2. Downsize before you begin packing – It’s a waste of time and money to pack and transport things you have no need for. Before you begin packing, go through your current home and sort through your things. Sell, donate, give away or toss anything you don’t need or no longer use.

3. Begin packing well ahead of time – The last thing you want to do is to begin packing the night before your move. Not only does this make the move a much more stressful experience, but you may not get done in time.

You don’t want the movers standing around waiting for you the next day while you hurriedly pack the rest of your things. Begin packing weeks before your move so that you can take your time.

4. Pack efficiently and effectively – Label all of your boxes so the movers know where to put them in your new house. It’s a good idea to have a label (or color code) for each room so nothing gets misplaced.

Then add another more descriptive label of what’s inside. You should also write up an inventory of all your boxes so you’ll know if anything’s missing once you move in.

5. Pack for immediate needs – Pack a few boxes of things that you will need right away when you move in. There’s a good chance you’ll be too tired to unpack right away.

Pack things like toiletries, dry foods, medicines and a few other choice items together so that you can access them right away and so you don’t spend hours going through all of your boxes in search of that one toothbrush.

If you can’t pack them ahead of time, because you’re using them until the last minute, make sure you have the packaging ready so you just have to box them up the day of the move and you’ll be done.

6. Don’t forget your change of address tasks – Before you move, make sure you change your address at the post office and submit your new address information for magazine subscriptions, credit card companies and more.

7. Hire a moving company – Some people convince themselves that moving on their own will help save a lot of money. Usually, it won’t. You’ll either have to make multiple trips, which will cost extra gas money, or rent your own moving truck.

Professional movers have also been trained to move quickly and safely. Odds are you’ll move less efficiently, which could result in the need to take extra time off to get completely moved in, thereby costing more than you expected.

Not to mention that professional movers have the experience and equipment needed to move heavy objects safely. You won’t want to accidentally injure yourself while lifting heavy furniture, after all.

8. Turn on the utilities – First of all, make sure you turn the utilities off in your old home so you’re not paying for something you’re not using. Then schedule to have the utilities in your new home turned on by the time you move in. After a long day of moving, the last thing you want to deal with is a lack of power.

9. Plan ahead for your kids and pets – Make arrangements to have someone take care of your kids and pets on the day you move so they don’t get in the way. Additionally, get your kids registered at their new school and find a family doctor that you can go to when needed.

10. Make arrangements for long moves – If you’re within a day away from your new home, this isn’t as big of a deal.

However, if it’s going to take a few days to move (for example, if you’re moving from a different state), then you’ll need to make hotel arrangements so that you’re not driving aimlessly at night looking for a place to stay.

After finishing construction on your new home, the last thing you want is to experience a stressful move. These are ten tips that should help you to properly prepare for a stress-free move to your newly built home.

For more information about our community, contact us at The Homestead at Summer Lake today.