Moving house can be one of the most stressful experiences imaginable if you don’t approach it the right way. From negotiating the dreaded chain to keeping sorting through years of “stuff” and ensuring nothing gets lost in the shuffle, it’s a time of notoriously high tension for many.
With the right planning, preparation, and packing strategies, however, it doesn’t have to be a complete headache. Of course, it’s never going to be easy, but it can at least be made more manageable if you follow the steps below.
Planning
Failure to prepare means preparing to fail. Start by deciding whether you will handle the move yourself or hire professional movers. You might save money with a DIY move but hiring professionals can take a lot of pressure out of the process, particularly if you have a lot of stuff to move. Moving yourself also means you might need to rent a van, which is an additional expense you need to consider.
You might also need to factor in the cost of temporary car insurance if you’re renting a vehicle. Additionally, if you have more belongings than space, you might need to rely on temporary storage solutions, which is another expense to factor into the whole process.
One way to really help with planning and to ensure you don’t lose anything valuable is to keep an organized inventory of your belongings digitally and physically. This list will not only help you keep track of your items but also assist in determining what you really need to take with you and what you might be better off without.
Establish a realistic timeframe for your move too, setting out key dates for tasks like packing, cleaning, and the final move itself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!
Preparation
Professional movers tend to book up weeks and even months in advance so always book early to ensure availability. Should you choose to rent a van, meanwhile, make reservations as soon as your moving date is confirmed so you know you definitely have it for the right day.
Something that so many people forget to do is also to inform various parties (banks, utility providers, and insurance companies) about their move. Let them know ASAP once you have your new address sorted.
Moving is also the perfect opportunity to declutter. Sort through your belongings and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. This not only makes packing easier but also potentially lowers the cost of your move. Pack an essentials box with items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as toiletries, snacks, and basic tools, so you can settle in quickly without it feeling like you’re living in an Airbnb for a few days.
Packing
Packing is perhaps the most laborious part of the whole process but the best way to keep it from overwhelming you is to take your time and take a methodical approach. Gather all necessary packing materials beforehand. You’ll need boxes of various sizes, bubble wrap for fragile items, packing tape, and markers for labelling.
Start packing non-essential items early, gradually moving towards essentials as you get closer to moving day. Use plenty of padding for fragile items and label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. Consider using a colour coded system to make it more obvious not only for yourself but the movers too.
