One of life’s most stressful and yet exciting experiences is moving house. Whether you’re relocating across town or you’re starting a new adventure in a different city, the process can easily become overwhelming if you don’t have a clear plan. You have to organize your belongings, settle into your new space, and with a little bit of preparation, you can make a world of difference to how it goes.
Partnering with a reliable removals firm can certainly ease the physical side of things, but much of the success of a move comes down to how you prepare. We’ve got 10 tips to help you with a smoother move.
- Start planning as early as you can. The earlier you start planning, the smoother it’s going to be. Ideally you should begin at least 6-8 weeks before moving day if you have the information in front of you to do that. Some people have to move at the last minute, which obviously this wouldn’t suit, but you can start by creating a moving checklist that will break down tasks week by week, such as sorting your belongings, purchasing packing materials and notifying important contacts of the change of address. By spreading the workload over several weeks, you’re going to avoid that last minute panic and ensure nothing gets forgotten.
- Declutter before you pack anything. Moving gives you the opportunity to declutter and start afresh. There’s little point in paying to transport items you no longer need or want. Before you start packing, go through every room and separate items into categories of keep, donate, sell, or recycle. You have to be honest with yourself here though about what you actually use and love because you don’t want to be bringing knickknacks and clothes that no longer fit or you no longer use to a new house only to gather dust in a new kitchen.
- Get your packing supplies together. You need to invest in good quality packing materials. It may be easy to go to the supermarket and get some boxes, but you want double walled boxes and boxes that are not old or damaged. Labelling is another key part of this process. You shouldn’t skip out on clearly marking each box with its contents and the room it belongs to makes it much easier for the removalists to get it to the right spaces.
- Create a Moving Essentials kit. Imagine arriving at your new house after a long day of moving and organising, only to realise that you can’t find your toothbrush or phone charger or your modem to avoid this packing essentials kit that you’ll keep with you rather than on the moving truck. Medications, a change of clothes, phone charges, documents, snacks and even basic cleaning supplies can go into this box. If you’re moving with kids, add a few favorite toys, iPads and anything you can think of that will keep them entertained during the transition.
- Notify your important contacts before moving day. Make a list of everybody who needs to know your new address. This includes utility providers, banks, insurance companies and subscription services. Updating your address as early as possible will help to prevent missed bills or service disruptions. Don’t forget to redirect your mail through your local Postal Service. It’s small, but it’s a critical step so that you don’t end up with an important letter going to your old house.
- Take care of the utilities early. There are few things more frustrating than arriving at your new home only to discover there’s no electricity, heat or Internet. Scheduling the disconnection of your current utilities and the activation of new ones well in advance of your move is a smart plan. You should also make sure that you take meter readings before you leave your old home and upon arrival of the new one because this way you have accurate billing from day one.
- Pack room by room. When packing, go one room at a time so as not to get too overwhelmed with it. It’s a good method as it keeps the process organised and helps you to stay on track as you pack. Use the opportunity to continue the decluttering process. You might find more items you’re happy to part with and keep similar items together so that it will make for easier unpacking later on.
- Protect your valuables and important documents. Certain items require extra care during a move. Jewellery, passports, financial documents and sentimental keepsakes should be kept with you rather than packed away in a truck. Store them in a secure bag or box that stays by your side through the move. You should also consider making digital copies of important documents such as insurance papers, IDs and leases. The backup will help just in case anything goes missing.
- Call the cleaners in. Cleaning is not the most glamorous part of moving, but it is an essential one. You want to call in two teams, one to clean your old home and one to clean your new one before you get there. Even if the previous residents tidied up, dust and dirt can accumulate during the process and you want to start with a fresh, clean space that sets the tone for a positive beginning.
- Do everything with intention. After the move, resist the urge to rush through unpacking everything at once. Start with essential rooms like kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. These areas are central to daily life and will help your household to feel functional much sooner. Remember that settling in takes time, so give yourself a few weeks to fully adjust, explore your new neighborhood and establish new routines. It’s a physical and emotional process so be patient with yourself as you transition.
A smooth move isn’t something that happens by accident, it’s the result of planning, organising and a good positive attitude. The key takeaway? To prepare everything that you can and start early. When the dust settles and the last box is unpacked, you’ll be free to enjoy the excitement of your new home and the rewarding feeling of having handled your move like a pro.