Did you know that the first five calls you make when you move are important because they help to begin your overall moving process and set your moving plans into motion. While it is natural to want to call family and friends first to let them know your exciting news, it is equally important to make sure that you have called all of the appropriate resources to ensure that your move goes smoothly.

If you are in the process of moving, but you are uncertain about where you should begin or who you should contact first, here are some helpful tips:

Utility Company
Contacting your utility company is one of the most important calls you can make when you move since your utilities help to keep your residence functional. From heating and cooling your home to providing running water, utilities are a necessity. When you choose your moving date, notify the utility company and inform them of the last day your utilities will be operational at your current address and when your utilities will need to be transferred over to your new address. It is important to make sure that you make provisions in advance of your move so that you avoid interruptions in your utility service. 

Phone Company
Depending on where you are moving to, you may be able to keep the same phone number you currently have, but if that is not an option, it is still important to contact the phone company to alert them to the fact that you are moving to a new location. For the purposes of billing or help from technical support, having a current location or address on file will enable the phone company to provide you with the help you need in your specific service area.  

Cable/Internet Company
In today’s society, cable and internet capability is important. Once you determine when you are going to move, apply the same process of notification to your cable and internet provider as you would with your utility company. Call in advance of your moving date, as opposed to the last minute so that you allow time for the service request to be entered and logged. You can always check back closer to your moving date, to make sure your transfer is scheduled for the correct date, but this will enable you to make sure that you will have the cable and internet services you need prior to your move.

Post Office
Contacting your local post office via phone is an option if you do not have time to complete a change of address request in person or you are checking on the status of an online request already submitted. Either way, it is important that your mail is sent to the correct address after you move. Many individuals prefer to complete a change of address at least a few weeks in advance of their move to ensure a smooth transition in the mailing process and also to avoid missing important pieces of mail. In some cases, if you are waiting on the closing of a house, or for an apartment to be ready, you may not be able to physically claim your new mailing address until just before your moving day. If that happens, contact your post office to notify them that your mail must be forwarded on a specific date.

Creditors
Notifying your creditors is an important step in the moving process because you want to ensure that your most current information is up to date. With identity theft running rampant and higher than ever before, having a correct address will help to ensure that you receive important notices, billing statements and other items that may be sent to you, even after your mail forwarding time has expired. Once again, it is a good idea to contact your creditors in advance of your move so that you do not miss any important documents and maintain your credit status.

Hopefully, these tips will help you transition smoothly during the moving process, and if you would like additional moving resource information or ideas that will help you during your next move, visit our Moving page or check out some of the helpful posts on our Blog.