Just the thought of moving house is enough to send many people running for cover. With a little careful planning however, you can take the stress out of your next move.
Here are 10 tips to make moving house a breeze:
1. Do a big spring clean – it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, spring-cleaning is a great way to start the moving process. After all, the less stuff you have, the less you need to pack. By clearing out the things you no longer use, you will feel lighter. It will also give you a sense of making a fresh start in a new home and give you a great excuse to buy some new pieces for your new abode.
2. Start dismantling any furniture items you can, making them easier to move out of your current home and into your new home. A good tip is to put any nuts, bolts and screws into a small zip lock bag as you dismantle each item, taping the bag to a piece of the furniture for easy assembly later.
3. Save on space – Pack items of clothing from last season and things like blankets, sheets and towels into vacuum sealed bags. Make the most of suitcases and laundry baskets by packing what you can aside them.
4. Use white paper towels rather than newspaper to wrap crockery and glassware to avoid having to wash them before putting them away in your new home.
5. Take photos – this may seem like an odd tip, but it’s surprising how many people like to have a similar furniture layout in their new home as it’s familiar. Its also a good idea to take photos of furniture items to be dismantled so it’s easy to see how it goes back together (unless of course you still have the instructions).
6. Distribute the weight evenly by packing heavy items at the bottom and lighter items on top. It’s also a good idea to pack your heaviest items in smaller boxes, leaving the large boxes for your lightest items. The last thing you need is to hurt your back when moving!
7. Label and make a list – label every box with a number, the contents and the room it is to be placed in once at the new home. A back-up list of box numbers and contents is a good idea too, in case any boxes go missing.
8. Pack one room at a time – this will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with the enormity of the task. Remember to leave the most used rooms till last (in most homes this would be the kitchen and bathrooms).
9. Set aside the things you will need for your first night in your new home – by packing those items separately, you will have easy access for a meal and a good night’s sleep, so you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle the rest in the morning.
10. Safety first – Don’t pack dangerous goods such as corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising or water-reactive goods. Items like LPG gas bottles and mower fuel fall into this category. You should also take extra precaution when packing sharp objects like knives, ensuring they are packed well and not poking out of any boxes.
Thinking of moving? Ask us for advice on local removalists. We’ll also give you an obligation free property appraisal and a presentation on how we would achieve the very best result for you in the sale of your home.