Moving house can be stressful but the great news is it doesn’t have to be. With a realistic understanding of the scale of what you’re about to undertake and lots of preparation you’ll be able to minimise the stress and maximize the joy of moving into a new home.
To help you plan and execute a smooth move Kent Removals have shared their top tips for preparing to move house.
Take Emotion Out of Decluttering
When it comes to deciding what you’re going to take to your new home and what you’re going to get rid of, you need to maintain a clear head and be prepared to ‘let go’ of items that no longer serve a purpose.
We often hang on to items because they have sentimental value, even if we don’t really want them anymore. If you haven’t used or worn an item in the past year or two and cannot clearly envision a place for it in your new home, donate it to charity, sell it on eBay or Gumtree or hold a garage sale.
Remember, the volume of your household items plays a big part in how long the move will will take and how it will cost. So don’t make the mistake of moving a truckload of items you don’t want or need.
Start Preparing Now
It’s never too early to start preparing for your move. In fact, as soon as you’ve settled on the idea that you’re going to look for a new home you can begin planning.
Start by:
- Conducting research to find a local removals company that will suit your needs
- Sort, pack or discard items that you don’t use very much ie. photos, books, CDs, Christmas decorations etc
- If it’s winter, start packing your singlets and boardies. If it’s Summer, get all of your coats, beanies and scarves packed
- Ask for a free quote and volume estimate from your removal company so you can set yourself a budget
Moving Day
Finally you’re all packed up and moving day has arrived.
- Create enough room for the moving truck and point out where the points of access are to your home
- Walk the removalists through your home and give clear instructions about what you have and where it’s to go in your new home
- High priority boxes should be easy to access; these boxes should contain things that you will need to use on the first night at your new home
- Keep your itinerary with you and ensure you mark each item off as it moves onto the truck
- Take all precious and important items, such as jewellery and documents yourself to ensure they don’t get lost in transit
- Leave a note with your new address on it so the new occupants can forward any mail to you
Remember, if you leave everything to the last minute or underestimate the volume of your move, what should be an exciting start to life in your new home could quickly become a stressful nightmare.
To help you through the process Kent Removals have created the Ultimate Moving Checklist