With Father’s Day this Sunday, many parents may be
experiencing a move this summer for a variety of reasons. For example, mom and
dad may be downsizing their home after having an empty nest, or they could be
moving just to be closer to their grandchildren. Regardless of the reason, a
move represents a major change in your parent’s life, and you may be looking
for reasons to ease their transition. We have picked five tips that can enable
you to help make mom and dad’s relocation smoother.
1. Assist with Finding a Mover and Getting Quotes.
We recommend starting with these tips from the American Moving and Storage Association to help you find a mover.
· Get at least three free estimates. You can invite the mover into your home for the estimate, or some movers now offer estimates based on the photos and videos that you can submit online right from the comfort of your own home.
· Be sure to show the mover everything that needs to be moved, from the attic to the basement, plus any sheds, garages and storage areas. You'll want to make sure that the mover has a complete picture of everything that will be moved to get the most accurate estimates possible.
· Make sure you get these estimates in writing, by email or as an attachment. Avoid any that are too high or too low. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
· Always ask questions if you don't understand something. A professional mover will want to make sure you get all the answers you need. Read every document carefully ahead of time, and make sure you get a copy of everything you sign. Do not sign any blank forms.
2. Help Mom and Dad “Get Connected” in Their New Home
A big challenge in a new home, neighborhood, or city is sometimes adjusting to new service providers for things such as cable and internet. Research your options for cable providers while also showing mom and dad ways to possibly cut the cord with services like Sling TV, Hulu TV, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, or any other streaming television services. You may also consider researching bundle packages from traditional cable providers and find out how much the cost changes when the promotional period ends. For internet services, utilize sites such as Broadband Now or In My Area to find different pricing and speed options for their home.
3. Change the Address
Families sometimes forget to time changing their address for mail to coincide with their move. This can be resolved by either collecting a “Change of Address” form at the nearest Post Office, or you can go online and update the address at http://usps.com/move. Ask one of your parents to make a list of all of their major credit card or service bills, so they can cancel the service or update the address for future billing cycles.
4. Clear some Clutter – Donate – Sell
Help mom and dad start anew by downsizing some of the clutter that has accumulated from years of living at one residence. Ask the mover if they participate in Move for Hunger and if they’ll collect some non-perishable food to donate to a local food bank. Also, consider asking your mover if they partner with a goods donation service like The Salvation Army or Goodwill. If that isn’t enough and you have some time before your move, consider using online services such as letgo, Craigslist, or any other buy, sale, trade service to help mom and dad find an economic way to get rid of items.
These tips are just a few ways for you to make your parents’ move a smoother process and allow them to focus on adjusting to and enjoying their new home!
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