Golden Rules to Help Your Moving Day Go Without a Hitch
The big day has come and you are finally ready to move. There are lots of belongings to pack, forms to fill out, calls to make and tasks to schedule. Despite the challenges, though, you can cut down on the stress of moving by preparing according to these rules.
Start early
As soon as you know that you're going to move, it's time start preparing. The earlier you book your removal firm and select a date, the more likely you are to get a good team that will look after your possessions in the move. Reduce the work of packing by doing it over a period of time rather than trying to do it all in a single session.
Start to consider the process of filing changes of address. You'll need to notify your utility and internet providers, update your registration on the electoral roll, register with your new doctor's surgery, and more. Volition Removals recommend starting this process at least three weeks before your actual move date if you can.
Know your route
One way to cut down on the uncertainty of moving day is to plan the journey you'll take to your new home. Think about the level of traffic you can expect at different times of day as you plan the trip. If your new home has street parking rather than a driveway, see if you can reserve a place to park so that you don't have to travel a long distance from your moving van to the building.
Don't move anything you don't have to
Moving house presents an ideal opportunity to reduce what you own. From outfits you don't intend to wear again to books you're not going to reread or furniture you've been meaning to replace, you can save yourself time, effort and money by slimming down what you own. At the start of your packing process, pick out the items you want to sell, give away or donate to charity. This can be a time-consuming process, so start early to give yourself plenty of time.
Pack safely and securely
You'll need plenty of packing supplies for your move, including sturdy cardboard boxes and soft padding material such as bubble wrap or professional packing paper. Old newspaper can seem like an ideal packing material because of how easily available it is, but the powdery ink used on newsprint tends to rub off; avoid it if you can.
When packing, it's important not to overload your boxes. An over-full box is at higher risk of splitting open and might be harder to carry safely. Consider mixing different types of items in your boxes. For instance, don't pack a box full of heavy items such as books: instead, stack a lower layer of books in the bottom of the box and fill the rest with lighter, softer items such as clothes or bedding. When packing fragile items like dishes or artwork, make sure that they're immobilised as much as possible by filling the empty spaces around them with soft materials like foam peanuts or bubble wrap.
Divide up tasks
When planning your move, create a to-do list that breaks the key tasks down into smaller parts. A moving house checklist can help you organise the moving process. Breaking larger tasks down into smaller ones helps spread the work out over a long period, making it less stressful. Even if you don't have a lot of time to prepare for your move on a given day, you can pack a single box or fill out a single change of address form.
Moving to a new home is a big change, and like all big changes, it comes with challenges. If you plan your move efficiently and give yourself plenty of time, however, you'll be able to meet those challenges and enjoy a stress-free moving day.
