Top Tips For Moving House
Moving house is billed as ‘one of the most stressful events in a person’s life.’
Up there with divorce and starting a new job.
As someone who has moved 6 times in the last 6 years, we feel its high time share the learnings, neatly packed into just five top tips, to help make your moving day as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Get Organised.
I’m a big fan of lists; they keep you on track and give you a strange sense of achievement. What’s better than ticking things off?! Write out a list of what needs to be done in the weeks before your move (i.e. notifying suppliers and other contacts of your new address, buying moving boxes etc.) and put them into a timeline.
There are lots of resources online that will help you compile your list. We have put together a Moving Home Checklist that you can print off, or take some ideas from it and create your own.
Once you have everything written down and organised into a timeframe, you will feel more in control. If you are anything like me, you may even enjoy the thrill of ticking things off!
2. Call The Professionals…and don’t depend on friends, even though they mean well!
Yes, we are a home removals company, but I am speaking from personal experience here. When you go back to your old house for the 5th time, fill up the car or your friend’s ute for the 5th time…. in the same day…. you will wish you’d engaged a professional removalist! And how many times do you want to listen to ‘how much stuff do you have?’ The tension!
A good, professional moving company will come out to your house and calculate your moving cost. The team will then arrive on moving day to disassemble beds, move the fridge and white goods, take all your boxes away and deliver them safely to your new home, in one swoop. They will do all the heavy lifting for you (literally) – and that is a big win.
If your budget allows, you can even have a professional packing team pack up and label the boxes for you. And at the other end of the move, some will unpack too. That is a recipe for a stress-free move.
3. Be Prepared. Buy sturdy boxes, an industrial sellotape dispenser & labels.
Don’t try to jam all your bits into a few boxes. Get as many boxes as you feel you will need (in most instances, you can take unused boxes back to the shop). And make sure you get sturdy boxes (don’t be penny wise, pound foolish here); there’s nothing worse than your personal possessions falling out from the bottom of a box.
Label the boxes clearly, detailing the contents. For example, “Kitchen – Cutlery & Towels,” or “Toy Box.” The more effort you put into labeling your boxes, the easier it will be for you on the other side of your move.
4. Have a pre-move clear out..and leave emotion out!
This is the best time to have a good clear out. About four weeks before your moving day, have a clear out of things like bric-a-brac, clothes and old bedding. Moving can make you slightly emotional, so get the nostalgia out of the way well before moving day.
If you’re anything like me (i.e. you would make a ‘keepsake’ out of Champagne corks) you will find a declutter super beneficial to you. De-cluttering can reduce stress and induce a sense of order. As the saying goes, “a clear space equals a clear mind,” so be ruthless with your clothes and bric-a-brac.
Another great benefit to a clear out is that you can end up with a few bags of ‘stuff’ that your local charity shop will be able to put to better use than you can. All in all, a clear-out gets your feel-good factor working. That’s better than the stress factor.
5. Make a necessities box.
Have a designated box for your necessities and keep it open until you close the door in your old house for the last time. This box is for items like your kettle, your remote control, medicines, toilet roll and your toothbrush – whatever essentials you will need during your move day and on your first night in your new home. Keep this box with you on moving day.
In summary, the key to a smooth, stress-free move is to be organized from the start. And the best starting point is that trusty list!
If you’re looking for a professional removalist to help with your move, get a free quote, or contact the friendly team at Adlam Transport today.