Moving house is an exciting time, except for the actual act of moving! When it comes time to move house, there’s a lot to do, and it always seems to be more than you realise. However, a little planning can go a long way to ensure your move is smooth.
Here are 10 tips to help make your next move as stress-free as possible.
1. It’s never too early to start packing
Do not leave packing until the last minute. It’ll give you sleepless nights and undue stress and make unpacking harder.
Start by packing the things in your house that you do not use every day, like clothes you don’t need this season, books, excess linen, and keepsakes or ornaments. A good shed clean-out is always a good idea – you don’t want to be moving smelly gardening things or dangerous chemicals.
Pack lighter things like linen, soft toys and clothing in large boxes and heavier items in smaller boxes.
2. Choose the right boxes
Which boxes are the best boxes for moving? Boxes need to be sturdy, with a strong base, so nothing falls out. Also, don’t fall into the trap of using the biggest boxes you can find. You may need fewer, but they’ll be heavy and hard to carry. Choose smaller boxes to make the transportation easier and reduce the risk of crushing things at the bottom. Bonus: it’s easier to stay motivated if you’re packing multiple boxes a day!
Fruit and vegetable stores often have great, sturdy boxes, as do homeware stores. They are normally more than happy for you to take their empty boxes.
3. Label your boxes thoroughly
It can be tempting to throw things in boxes and seal them up. However, you will undoubtedly find yourself rummaging through boxes at the other end, looking for something ‘essential’.
If you take a little care labelling your boxes, unpacking will be a breeze. First, list absolutely everything that is in the box as soon as you seal it up. Then, make sure you add what room it should go to. Using colour-coded dots for different rooms is a great shortcut, and don’t forget to add the random objects you squeeze in at the last minute to the list of contents.
4. Donate, sell or toss unwanted items
Moving house is a great time to get rid of stuff that you have accumulated over time and no longer want or need. Remember, the more you take with you, the more expensive and time-consuming moving will be.
Another benefit of packing early is that it gives you time to go through all your belongings and make decisions. As you are packing, sort items into four piles: Keep, Donate, Sell or Toss.
5. Book your removalist early
As soon as you know your moving date, book your removalist. They book up quickly at certain times of the year, so booking early will help you secure one you trust that fits your budget.
To ensure you get an accurate quote, it pays to make a rough inventory of your large items, an estimate of how many boxes you’ll have and any items that might be difficult to move.
If you’re not hiring a professional removalist, be sure to get in early and bribe your friends and family with food, drinks and return favours.
6. Decide where everything will go in the new house
If you can, spend some time in the new house with a tape measure. Alternatively, use a floor plan of your new house and work out where everything will go, so you only have to move it once. Also, think about storage and where certain items will be stored and how (i.e. do you need to invest in plastic tubs or boxes to put in the cupboards?).
Come moving day, don’t be tempted to just put everything in the middle of the room and work it out later. Putting it in the right place as soon as it comes off the truck means it is done, and you can put your feet up and relax sooner.
7. Eat your way through your pantry
Spent the days and weeks leading up to your move using everything in your fridge and pantry. Of course, you might end up eating some very interesting ‘pantry specials’, but it’s better than moving things you don’t need to or throwing food away!
8. Get connected
Contact utility providers to ensure the electricity is on when you get to your new house. You’ll also want to have your phone, internet, and gas connected. The sooner you do this, the better, as utility providers may take a few days to organise your connection. Don’t get left in the dark!
9. Have all your essentials on hand
On moving day, have all your essentials like phone chargers, necessary paperwork, and keys to your new house in one place.
Pack a ‘first night box’ containing bed linen, towels, clothes and toiletries to make your first night as easy as possible. Making the beds so you can easily collapse and get a good night’s rest after a day of moving is essential.
10. Unpack as soon as you move in
Unpacking can feel like an overwhelming task, so it is best approached with discipline. Make a plan to unpack room by room, starting with the bedrooms, followed by the kitchen.
By unpacking one room at a time, you will feel a sense of achievement as you move through the house. And if you’ve planned ahead and already know where everything is going to go, there are fewer decisions to be made along the way.
Moving Day can be exhausting, but being prepared and organised will take a lot of the stress out of it so you can focus on settling into your new home.