Did you know the average person moves eight times throughout a lifetime on average? Even if it's only across town, packing all your belongings and moving them from one place to another is a huge job.
Here's how to make your move more efficient, less stressful, and yes, even enjoyable.
Declutter Before Packing
You'll feel better about your move when you realise that it's an opportunity to reorganise your life and have a fresh start in a new place. Begin with giving your home a thorough decluttering. First, go through your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and toss out anything that is past its expiration date.
When it comes to clothing and household items, put quality over quantity. Go through items and ask yourself if you need it. If you haven't worn or used an item in a few months, chances are, you can do without it. Then donate items to a local charity shop.
Start Early
Are you moving because you landed a new job or other life event? If you're using moving services and other professionals like cleaners and painters, go ahead and book them as soon as you know you're moving. Waiting could mean a higher price or no services available for your time slot.
Next, go ahead and start packing up off-season clothing, decor, and things you use the least often.
Get the Proper Packing Supplies
Protect your valuables by purchasing strong, sturdy boxes. If you use flimsy ones, the bottom may fall out and your stuff could get damaged. Use tape with a strong adhesive to seal boxes. Make sure you have a good pair of scissors or a utility knife to make sealing boxes and packing in general easier.
Put labels for boxes and a permanent marker on your list of supplies. Other handy items for packing include newspaper, bubble wrap, and plastic storage bags.
Useful Tips For Packing Breakables
Get creative with these hacks for packing breakables:
- Stash small breakable items like perfume and cosmetics bottles in ziplock bags and stuff them inside your thickest socks. The bags will catch any leaks, and the socks will provide cushioning.
- Use t-shirts to wrap around plates and other breakables.
- Save egg cartons to surround large breakables inside boxes.
- Protect valuables that could break by placing them in plastic storage bags. Seal partially and then blow in air to fill the bag.
Stay Organised
Advanced planning and organisation are essential for a stress-free move. Create a timeline for getting things done. Make a folder for holding new addresses, rental agreements, receipts, and other paperwork you may need.
Create a system of packing that is suitable to you. Consider packing room by room and by packing similar items together. Then label everything so that you or your removal company will easily know where each box goes. You may also find it helpful to make an inventory of what's in each box. Give each box a number and create a master list for your moving folder.
Document Disassemblies
Unless you're using a moving company, you'll thank yourself for this tip. Photograph, or better yet, make a video of any furniture or other items you need to disassemble before moving. Focus on what hardware goes where and carefully pack the hardware in a bag marked with the name of the item.
Consider Renting a Moving Container
Portable container services like PODS are great for reducing the work and stress of moving. All you have to do is load your stuff in the POD right on your property and a driver will pick it up and deliver it to a storage unit. Even if you don't plan on using a storage unit, renting a moving container is easy, convenient, and cheaper than using a full-service moving company.
A POD will also help keep your things safe. Pack heavier items on the bottom and then pack everything else in snuggly.
Schedule Utility Start and Stop Dates
After finalising your moving dates, contact all of your utility providers for your new place and your old residence. Give the utility companies for your home plenty of time to ensure you don't have to go without water and electricity. Have services at your current home cut off for the day or two after you move out to avoid paying for services you won't be using. Don't forget services such as TV and Internet.
Keep records of all your requests in the moving folder you created.
By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for iMOVE
