The Top 11 Things People Forget To Do When Moving

Forget Something? Here’s The 11 Most Common Things People Forget While Moving

 When you’re getting ready to move, there are a million tasks running around in your head. There’s cleaning and packing and donating old belongings, not to mention keeping your family on the same page as everyone’s daily routine begins to shift. Even if you have created a moving checklist, there are still some little things you can easily overlook.
We’ve been in this business for a long time, and there are a few items we have consistently seen people forget as they pack up their home. Are you forgetting any of these items?
Personal Records
It is so easy to forget about personal records when moving. Personal records--which include dental, medical, birth certificates, and veterinarian records--can take several weeks to gather. Give yourself plenty of time before you move to retrieve all records so you don’t have to scramble and find them (or fear that you lost them!) when you settle into your new home.
Change Your Mailing Address
With so much mail being digital these days, it’s even easier to forget to change your mailing address. Make sure to change your mailing address for all subscriptions, bill pay, professional services, and memberships that may be delivering regularly. Sometimes you don’t even realize how much mail you get until you move! Be sure to also send out an email to friends and family so they have your new address and can update your contacts on their end. It would be a shame if your niece's wedding invitation was sent to the wrong address! 
Call Your Advisors, Therapists, and Coaches 
Advisors, therapists, and coaches often want to know about changes going on in your life, and moving is one of those big changes. Let them know that you are moving so you can adjust your professional relationship accordingly. They may have some good insights for you about your new city and may also have some referrals.
Borrowed Items
Did you rent a carpet steamer? How about a piece of furniture for an event? Take a look around your house and pay attention to items that may not be yours. It could be as little as your neighbor’s rake or as big as patio furniture. Make sure to return everything before you go.
Dry Cleaning
Did you pick up your dry cleaning? How often have you left perfectly good items sitting at the dry cleaners? You don’t want to make that mistake if you’re moving out of state! While you’re at it, make sure to pick up clothing from the tailor, too.
Plungers and Toilet Bowl Cleaners
It’s a weird habit, but we noticed that a lot of people leave their plungers and toilet bowl cleaners behind. It’s as if they forgot it didn’t come with the house. If you don’t want to take these with you, dispose of them appropriately before you leave. This goes for toilet paper too! It’s common for people to leave toilet paper on the roll in the bathroom. Take it with you.
Keys
Keys are one of those items that we place down on autopilot and easily forget where we put them. This is not what you want to do when you’re moving. Designate a specific place to put your keys while you’re moving around and packing. Additionally, if you are renting your current house, don’t forget to leave your old keys behind or return them to the landlord.
House Plants
House plants are difficult to move, so it makes sense that they get put on the backburner and are easily forgotten when it’s all said and done. If you can’t properly bring your plants with you, give them to a friend or family member who can take care of them for you.
Gardening Tools
The backyard is full of tools and trinkets that are easy to forget about. From rakes and shovels to old planters and pots, there’s a lot of opportunities to forget something. Do a yard sweep before you say sayonara to your backyard. Are there are any tools or decorations you can give to friends or neighbors? Is there anything you can sell or donate? Make sure the whole backyard is picked up before you go.
Trash Cans
Don’t forget to take your trash cans with you! Otherwise, the new residents of your home will take them. Of course you could always buy new ones at your new home, but if you want to save some money, bring your trash cans. Also, if your county requires for you to turn off your waste removal services, call them to let them know when you will be moving.
Chargers and Cords
We leave them in hotel rooms all the time, but you don’t want to leave your cell phone or electronics charger at your old home. It’s a pain getting those things replaced, so check every socket before you go.
We hope this list of things that are commonly forgotten is helpful for you. If you would like more tangible help with your move, give us a call for a FREE quote.
 San Francisco Movers