Unless you absolutely hate your current house (I had one that flooded four times), you’re probably not looking forward to moving. But life goes on, and sometimes, we pack up and move on. How can you keep your stress to an absolute minimum? As professional movers, we know how you can go about your move in such a way that you don’t end up a quivering wreck. Here’s how to make it all go smoothly.
Four to six weeks ahead of ‘M’ day
Most people know the move is on four to six weeks before it actually happens. Don’t wait for the last minute, see to the following things:
- Make a list of what has to be moved so you can get quotes on your move.
- Make sure of your van and check pricing so you’re prepared.
- Pass on any special moving requirements for delicate items to your movers.
- Sort out your household contents insurance to cover your new home.
- Send out change of address notices to everyone who needs to know including
- Make arrangements for any post that still arrives at your old address to be held or forwarded.
- Talk to your electricity and Phone Company and ensure they won’t bill you after moving day.
- If your kids have to change schools, make the necessary arrangements.
- Organize any repairs that have to be done to the house before you move.
- Check that your furniture will fit into your new home, and decide how it would fit in.
- Talk to doctors, dentists, schools and veterinarians about what records you’ll need to pass on to new service providers and how that will be done.
Make sure your boss won’t expect you to be at work during the move.
your bank, the tax man (sigh) and your car licensing authority.
Keep what you have to move to a minimum
As soon as you know the move is on, start reducing the amount of things that have to be moved:
- Throw away, give away or sell anything you don’t use or won’t be able to use in your new home.
- Arrange for extra garbage collection if needed.
- Start using up food that’s stored in the freezer and cupboards.
- Return all borrowed items so you don’t have to move them.
- Start organising important documents and valuables you’d prefer to keep with you during the move.
At least a week before you make your move
- Make sure you don’t have any unreturned library books
- Decide how you’re going to deal with kids and pets on the day.
- If you use prescription medicine, make sure you’ve enough to go on with.
- Drain fuel out of items like lawnmowers and have your car serviced.
- Start disassembling things as needed.
- Organize cleaners if you won’t have time to clean up after your move.
The day before your move…
- Defrost the fridge. Any leftover foods that you might actually use can go in cooler bags.
- Pack enough clothes to last you until you’re settled.
- Make sure you’ve got enough cash on hand for incidentals.
- Pop over and say goodbye to friendly neighbours.
Moving day
- Pack your survival kit into your car. That will include anything you may need in the next day or two.
- Track down your pets and make sure they won’t be able to disappear off (Cats are particularly good at vanishing at the last minute).
- Do a last check before you leave your old home for good. Have you left anything behind?
- Lock doors, turn off utilities and hand over the keys to your agent.
Packing advice
If you’re doing your own packing, you’ll probably need to start getting boxes and packing material a month before your move. Pack up things you can live without first.
Books, documents you just keep for the record, CDs, DVDs and crockery you seldom use can already be packed long before your moving day. The same goes for ornaments and décor items. The less you have to pack at the last minute, the better!
Use a marker pen and write what you’ve packed into each box on the side of the box. Think up categories and try to pack boxes accordingly. ‘Kitchen essentials’ tells you you’ll need these items soon after you move into your new home. ‘Fancy crockery’ might wait a little while before it’s unpacked.
Alternatively, you could just use our packing service and leave it up to us, but for privacy’s sake, you can still pack up anything that’s really personal ahead of time – even though we would keep your secrets.
And you’re off!
Our van arrives, your precious personal belongings are loaded and you’re ready to roll! Don’t worry. It won’t be long before you feel at home in your new house or apartment.
