Moving house can be a big deal, whether into a rental or your own home. Regardless of why the move, the logistics can be overwhelming. Here’s some help to reduce some of that stress:
1. Prepare Well
Get your new house ready before moving
If you’re able to, now is the time to paint, get carpet cleaners in, varnish wooden floors, measure for windows treatments, and clean.
Plan The Layout
Get room measurements and plan furniture placement, especially the big items. This will make moving day more efficient, save money paying professionals for their time, and prevent you expending more energy (or injury) having to move things a second or third time!
Make A Moving Plan
Depending on how far you’re moving, what you’re shifting, and whether friends can help, get quotes and set the date. Make sure you consider heavy items such as a piano or fridge, what both properties access is like, e.g. stairs, or narrow driveway, and factors like whether you want insurance coverage. Ensure this is communicated in advance to your movers.
Pack Early
Collect boxes and packing tape and do a little packing each day, naming each box with its contents. If possible have a packing room. DON’T use rubbish bags as a well-meaning helper can accidentally throw your stuff out on moving day.
First pack the things you can easily make do without, such as last season’s clothes….Packing takes time and energy so the more you can do in advance, the less the stress on moving day.
Use clothing to wrap breakables. Clean socks are good for kitchen glasses. Kill a few birds with one stone by using your desk/cabinet drawers, baskets, laundry bins and suitcases as packing boxes – why pack air?! Plastic ziplock bags are great for holding small parts if you have to take items apart, like a shelving unit etc.
Label where the box should go, e.g. “master bedroom” and what’s inside, “clothing”. Make sure you label the SIDES of the box rather than the top, so stacked boxes aren’t difficult. Mark what you want unpacked first with a special symbol, or colour, so everyone knows which needs tackling first.
Get Rid Of What You Don’t Need
Now is the opportunity to declutter by throwing out, selling, or giving away what you don’t need. Give friends who’ll be helping with the move the first option on what they’d like and arrange for a charity to collect your goods about two weeks before you move out.
Gather The Essentials
There are things you’ll need swift access to on moving day, such as scissors/box cutters, toilet paper, rubbish bags, cleaning items, phone chargers, power boards/extension cords, and maybe an old mat or two the movers can tramp on if the main entrance area is carpeted. It may be a good idea to use a transparent plastic box for these things and take it with you, along with your valuables.
Groceries
Be cunning about what you buy during the last two weeks before moving. It’s best to use up your stores so you don’t have to cart much with you, and cook meals like stir fries and soups to use up perishables. You’ll need to defrost your fridge/freezer the day before leaving too - you don’t want water running everywhere at moving time!
Pack Your Kitchen Last
The kitchen is your priority; you need it until the morning you move and you’ll want it set up quickly in your new home.
Pack plates vertically like records, so they’re less likely to break. And use kitchen towels and tablecloths as protective wrapping. Clean socks are great for glassware.
Pack Priority Items together
Pack clean sheets, blankets and pillows for each bed, towels, toiletries, and possibly a shower curtain. Mark these with your priority symbol or label. That way you can easily set up for your first night in your new home.
It can be helpful to cover the openings of your toiletries with glad wrap, putting the tops back on, to prevent messy leaking.
If you know you have to go to work the next day, make sure you pack a set of clothing (and make-up) in a priority box too, so you’re not having to panic search that first morning.
Essential services
Make sure all utilities (gas, water, electricity) can be transferred over to you from the previous owner in time for moving day. And arrange to have cable and internet (and phone line?) working that day too.
photos
If you’re renting, take photos of the house you’re moving into before your stuff arrives, and take photos of the cleaned house as you leave. This can save you from possible disputes with the landlord, or charges.
2. The Move - Reduce The Stress
be ready
Make sure you’re ready for your movers on the big day. If friends are helping you, be as specific as you can with timeframes. Maybe have two shifts – one group helps you move out, another group helps you move in.
pets and babies
Leave your pet/s (and baby/toddler) with someone who can mind them for the day – this will reduce the stress for them and you, and give you time to set up their living and eating places to help them transition.
important stuff
Don't pack keys, laptops, important valuables like jewellery, or important paperwork. Take them with you to the house and keep them somewhere safe so you can find them easily.
Room by room
Unpack by room, prioritising the kitchen and beds.
Everyone will need food and drink (especially volunteer helpers) and the quicker you can make use of your new kitchen the sooner it will feel like home and the happier everyone will be!
If the rest of the house is shambolic come night-time, a comfortable sleep after an exhausting day makes the next day’s sorting all the easier to tackle.
neighbours
And finally, make the effort to introduce yourself and greet your new neighbours as soon as possible. It pays to get off on the right foot. A neighbour can become a great ally in the future.