Top 10 Tips for Moving House
We know that moving house can be stressful, time-consuming and not a very enjoyable experience overall. You don’t want this to dampen the excitement of moving into a new place, so with that in mind, we’d like to share with you our top 10 tips for moving house, making sure you’re well prepared when the time comes for your next big move!
1. IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START
As soon as you know you are moving, there’s no time like the present to begin packing and getting organised. No-one likes to leave things to the last minute, and this will only add to your stress if you wait until the night before to get started!
Make sure you’ve got enough boxes, then start packing up rooms or items that aren’t used regularly. Giving yourself plenty of time to get it done will ease your stress, save you time and keep you motivated!
2. USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECLUTTER
Do you have a hoarding problem? Moving house is a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of all that stuff that sits in the cupboards unused. As you pack, consider each and every item you place in your moving boxes and determine whether you really need it. Then, just before the big day, you can take all your unwanted goods and clothing to op-shops, or hold a garage sale to sell them.
3. MAKE SURE TO LABEL EVERY SINGLE BOX
Once you’ve finally moved everything into your new home, the last thing you need is to forget which box holds what. Nothing is worse than wanting to cook your first dinner in the new place and have no idea where your cooking utensils are located.
Make sure to clearly label each and every box that you pack, making note of the room it is destined for and the items it contains. That way, when you’re unpacking, you’ll know exactly what goes where!
4. PACK A ‘CARRY ON’ BAG FOR THE FIRST FEW NIGHTS
Even if you correctly label all your boxes, chances are you’re going to be pretty tired on moving day and when the time comes to get ready for bed, you’re not going to want to rifle through your boxes to find your essentials.
Make sure that you, and every member of your family, packs a carry-on bag, similar to one you’d take on a flight, which includes the essentials for the first few days in the new house. Include items like pyjamas and clothes for a few days, toiletries and medications, your favourite books or children’s toys and anything else you think you and your family will need during the transition period.
5. UNPACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
It can be tempting to collapse into a heap of exhaustion after spending a day or two moving all your worldly possessions, but we do recommend trying to unpack as quickly as possible. Give yourself time to rest, but try and unpack as much as you can in those first few days, or risk having boxes of stuff sitting in rooms for weeks to come!
6. CONSIDER YOUR NEW STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Some things in your pile of packed boxes may not need to be unpacked at all, and will remain in storage. Prior to moving day, make sure to pack those items in their own storage tubs, and consider exactly where in your new home these will live.
We can guarantee this will save you plenty of time on moving day!
7. HAVE A MEAL PLAN IN PLACE
Moving house is a tiring job, and you’re sure to work up an appetite not only on moving day, but in the days following as you settle into your new home and begin unpacking. Chances are that you won’t have the kitchen fully functional in the first few days, so make sure to have a meal plan in place.
Will you order takeaway during that time, or will you prepare meals before moving day to keep frozen? Maybe you will order some pre-prepared meals to be delivered to your new home once the fridge has been installed. Whichever option works best for you and your family, make sure to plan ahead!
8. BOOK ANY REMOVALIST SERVICES EARLY
Some people are happy to move house themselves, and others prefer the help of professional removalists. If you fall in the latter camp, ensure that you organise and book your removalist as soon as you know which date you will be moving to avoid paying higher fees or missing out altogether.
9. HAVE FUN!
Moving house can be tedious, stressful and a notoriously loathed part of life. Despite this, why not do what you can to make it more enjoyable? Play games with your family, such as who can pack up their room the fastest, or who can unpack their room the fastest, offering prizes for the winner.
You can also make a ‘Moving Day’ playlist, adding all your favourite, upbeat songs to help keep you and your family in a happy mood during the packing, moving and unpacking process.
10. DO A FINAL CHECK BEFORE HANDING OVER YOUR KEYS
Once you’ve finally taken the last box to the new house, make sure to go over your old home and check every cupboard, drawer or area with a fine-tooth comb to ensure you haven’t left anything behind.
Don’t forget to take the time to say goodbye to your old home too, chance are you’ve spent a significant amount of time there, and it is normal to want to close that chapter of your life by saying goodbye!