Everyone could probably use some moving tips, especially if you are packing up your whole life and headed for a new home. You are in good company among the millions of people who have moved their family. It can be a stressful time, but the process does not have to be frustrating. Here's how to get your life and possessions organised for a smooth and easy move.
READ: 5 tips for a stress-free and smooth moving day
Make a List
Write everything down; you will thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a simple record-keeping system. Create a numbered list that specifically names the contents in each numbered box. You can designate a spiral-bound notebook for the job or generate the list on a computer. Make sure you put a number on every box you pack. When describing the box contents, be specific—"A-D files" is better than "files" and "tulip dishes" rather than "kitchen." Never put the list down unless it's in your "packing central" location. This is where you store your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other packing supplies. In the midst of activity, you will be able to find what you need.
Have Plenty of Supplies
You will need lots of boxes—​probably more boxes than you think and having enough boxes will make your life easier. If you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. Leave about 10 boxes set aside to use for last-minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies.
You will need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint paper (newspaper ink can stain some items), packing paper, or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household goods. You will need a lot more supplies than you think, so get extra. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.
Colour Coordinate
Designate a colour for each room in the new home, such as yellow for the kitchen, orange for the dining room, and so on. Apply coloured stickers on the box near the box number. In your new home, put a matching sticker on the door to each room. The movers will know where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It's also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked, such as "Boxes here please" to keep them out of furniture and traffic areas.
Keep Things Together
Insist on keeping things together when you or the movers are packing boxes. Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with tape or placed in small envelopes. Keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with the bookcase, and a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit. Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord) in resealable bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item.
As a backup, have a "Parts Box" open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. Keep this box with you, or mark it well with a rainbow of colored stickers so it can be easily located on move-in day.
Pack Ahead and Use Your Containers
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. If it's summer, get your winter clothes out of the way. You do not need multiple TVs around your house for the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and use items out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down cooking utensils and food supplies to the bare essentials.
Wastebaskets can also be packed (put things in them) while you switch to using plastic grocery bags for trash collection.
Consolidate Cleaning Supplies
If you must clean your old place after moving out, put together a kit of basic cleaning supplies and rags. Clean ahead of moving day, such as the inside of kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows. Leave the vacuuming for moving day—vacuum each room as the movers empty it.
Safeguard Valued Items
It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as silverware, collections, or antiques, with you. If you have a long move and no room in your car, bury the items in an intentionally mislabeled box "Misc. kitchen pantry."
Check your homeowner's insurance to see how you are covered during the move, and if you need additional insurance from the mover. Also, find out what paperwork (receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in case of loss.
Keep important papers with you: birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don't leave these with the mover. Keep them with you.
Personal Boxes
Use brightly coloured storage boxes—one for each person. Let each family member fill theirs with items that they want right away in the new home—a set of sheets, a towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, pens and paper, keys, tissues, and travel cosmetic case, and so on.
Moving may not be fun, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the process bearable.
READ: A new home presents the perfect opportunity to overhaul your household budget
To help those who are looking for ways to cut down the costs of moving homes, here are more tips from RE/MAX of Southern Africa for a cost-effective moving day.
1. Hire a trailer
For those with a towbar and an appropriate vehicle, it can work out to be far more cost effective to hire a trailer for a day and to do the move yourself. Better still, if one of your friends or family could lend you a trailer or vehicle for the day, this could help you save some much-needed cash.
2. Declutter before the move
The less you have to move across to the new home, the cheaper the moving process will become. Before the move, go through the old home and get rid of the items you no longer need, being sure to donate or sell the items that are still in good condition. Resist the urge to purchase new items until after you have moved into the new home.
Whether you choose to move on your own or to hire professional movers, Goslett encourages all buyers and tenants to avoid having to take on extra debt to help cover the costs. “To protect your credit score and to minimise the impact of interest rate hikes, try to keep credit card debt as minimal as possible. As difficult as it may be, it is far better to be patient and build up savings to cover the associated costs of moving in cash rather than on credit,” he advises.
To do this, it is useful to be fully aware of all the costs you can expect to cover when moving. “Before committing to a purchase or a lease agreement, speak to a trusted real estate advisor to get a better idea of all the associated costs. As experienced professionals, they could offer some advice around the most common expenses that have tripped clients up in the past. Being better informed will help to avoid surprise expenses and make the whole moving process much more enjoyable overall,” says Goslett.
READ: Top 7 items that get damaged when moving and how to protect them
Source: TheSpruce
Want all the latest property news and curated hot property listings sent directly to your inbox? Register for Property24’s Hot Properties, Lifestyle and Weekly Property Trends newsletters or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
