Moving is an experience that can leave even the most organised person stressed, frustrated and worn out. Whether you’re moving down the street, across town, or to another area, getting your personal “stuff” from one place to another doesn’t need to be what may seem like a losing battle.
With these 10 tips, you can make your moving experience a smooth operation from start to finish. For even more moving advice and tips, visit our moving guides to get you organised for a successful, stress-free move.
- Recognise, Reorganise and Recycle – Turn down the stress volume by realising you can cut down on moving time and expense by breaking down each room into four categories – Keep – Throw Away – Donate – Store.
- Self Control – Don’t move items you no longer need. Send them packing to the recycle bin or donate them to charity. This includes everything from clothing to dishes. If you don’t use it, you don’t need it, and you don’t need to move it.
- Storage Unit – There are plenty of items that don’t need to make the initial move into your new home. Pack up items such as Christmas decorations, out of season clothing, holiday and sports items like snow or water skis, canoe or kayak, and camping gear and place them in a storage unit until they’re needed.
- Checklist – Whether you’re a DIY mover, hiring a local service, or a named nationwide mover, have a plan of action and check off each item as it’s completed. This includes taking care of utilities, forwarding mail, and reserving a moving truck in plenty of time if you’re going the DIY route.
- Hiring an Independent Company – If using a local independent moving service, insure appropriate license and insurance is in place to cover damages or injuries. Get a signed contract with everything cleared stated, signed and dated.
- Major Moving Company – Understand their policy for moving time schedules, as well as their policy for covering loss or damage. Check for a review of the company. If you’re renting a van yourself, be aware of the mileage, return time, and insurance policies.
- DIY Moving – Get plenty of boxes, packing material, and tape. Mark and label each box with the designated room where it is to be placed when unloaded. Regardless of how you choose to move, place personal essentials you’ll need, valuables, such as jewelry, and important documents in a suitcase and keep it with you.
- Floor Plan – Lay out a floor plan of your new home on paper. Measure your furniture and check that everything will. Note on the layout where each item should go.
- Destination – Once you or the moving company is ready to unload, use your layout as a guide to placing furniture.
Plan Ahead – Make sure the destination location has ample room for a moving van or rental truck especially if you’re moving into an apartment complex or condo. Contact the leasing office prior to moving day so you know when and where vehicles will be allowed to park.
