Alright, You Found Your First Apartment!
Your own place at last! Freedom is yours and we don't want to rain on your parade, but that freedom has a lot of responsibiity tagging along with it. But don't worry, The Honest Mover can help you manage this great new experience so you can enjoy your new found freedom.
We;ve made a special Planning Your Move guide and checklists specifically for Your First Apartment move.
Follow the guide, use the checklist and call our customer support team if you have questions.
Here are just a few of the tips and considerations we offer to help you move into your first apartment.
Apartment Hunting and Moving Tips
Plan Before You Sign a Lease
Choosing the right apartment is part of planning a stress free move.
You're probably getting new furnishings, kitchenware and other items for your first apartment. Will they fit? Can you get them into the apartment? It's critical to measure items and when you view prospective apartments, measure the rooms, doors, hallways and stairs within and leading to your new home. Apartments often have winding stairwells and small doorways. Have you ever wondered why so many apartment buildings have discarded furniture outside, so often? Plan ahead and make sure everything you have can make it inside your new apartment.
Try to meet a few of your neighbours in the building. Other tenants will know about the little things they found after moving in. Ask about bugs, mice and other pests. Learn about the local stores, laundry facilties, heat in the winter, cooling in the summer, noise levels, traffic and whether the building is commonly visited by police, fire or ambulance. Is the landlord readily available and responsive to tenant needs?
Is there an elevator you book on 'service' for your moving day? How big is the parking lot? What size truck can we use? How many other tenants are moving in or out at the same time as you?
There's more in our guide and we can direct you to a reasonably priced move expert. Consider booking us before you start apartment hunting. Get experience on your side!
When to Schedule Your Move
Apartment leases start at the beginning of the month and we know you want to move in right away, but if this is your first apartment and you don't have to move out of your current home on the last day of the month, we highly recommend you take possession of the partment on the first, spend one to three days cleaning and preparing it and schedule your move after everyone else has finished moving in and out of the building. Move near the beginning of the week, so you have time to unpack and get the apartment just right, so you can entertain on the weekend after you move in. If you are buying new furnishings and the store delivers, have all your new furnishings delivered and setup before you move everything else in.
Move in after 10am and finish before 3pm so your move doesn't interfere with your neighbours going to work or coming home.
If you have to move out of your current home at month end and move in right away, planning is more critical because apartment buildings can be very busy on moving day and other tenants may try moving with the help of friends or they may hire amateur movers who don't mind taking longer and charging more money to stand around and wait for others to clear the way.
Insurance, First Aid, Emergency Contacts & Other Essentials
Our guide includes a list of all the essential things you'll want to have close at hand in your new home.
There are several important things we all take for granted that you should get to know right away.
Where is the closest Hospital, Police, Fire? Laundry facilities? Shopping? Auto repair? Transit?
Tenant insurance is a low cost item that provides you with piece of mind. It protects you, your possessions and the people around you.
Buy a basic first-aid kit and keep it replenished when needed! Post emergency numbers and emergency contact information where it can be found.
Know your fire escape route. Can you get out of your apartment if the door can't be opened?
Cleaning and maintenance. Do you have a vacuum? Kitchen and bath cleaning tools and products? A basic tool kit so you can tighten a loose screw or assemble furnishings?
Planning requires experience. The Honest Mover has the experience you need and you can buy that experience so your new apartment move is all the fun you want it to be!
You won't lose any friends hiring us. They can help you setup, decorate and enjoy your new home. We'll do the heavy lifting, you enjoy your friends company!