Moving house can be an exciting but stressful time as you struggle to make sure all of your belongings and furniture are safely packed up, well organized, and on the moving truck in time for your moving day. But, as long as you stay organized and get started early, you will find the whole process easier and less taxing. Our list of moving tips will guide you through everything you need to start planning and ensure that moving into your new house is as stress-free as possible.
1 Start Planning Early
The first step to ensuring that your moving process goes as smoothly as possible is to start planning your moving day early. Leaving everything to the last minute will only add an extra level of stress to a huge task.
So begin planning your packing up and move about 4 weeks before you are due to move. Write down a list of everything you need to do, and all the materials you’ll need (packing boxes, packing tapes, packing paper, bubble wrap, etc.)
Then set yourself up a schedule about what you will do and when. Which tasks are likely to be more time consuming and need to be started earlier? You can start packing up items that you are not going to need in the next month, for example – decorative items, out-of-season clothes, books, and DVDs. Items you use regularly will need to be packed up nearer your moving date.
2 What Help Will You Need?
When you plan ahead and make a list of everything you need to do ahead of time, start thinking about who will be able to help you do what. Assigning family members specific tasks ahead of time will help to ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed and everything gets done on time.
If you think you will struggle with time or manpower, you can consider hiring a packing service that will come in ahead of time and help you get everything safely packed into cardboard boxes ahead of time. Hiring professional packers will save you time and stress and ensure that all your items are packed neatly in the correct packing materials.
Of course, if you want to save money you will need to rely on the help of friends and family to make sure that you get everything done in time.
3 Clear out your Unwanted Belongings Before You Move.
One way to cut down the number of things you need to pack and possibly reduce your quotes from moving companies is to do a clear-out before you begin to pack anything. Moving house is a great opportunity to do a big sort through all of the belongings you have hidden away in cupboards, drawers, and the garage.
Take some time to sort through your belongings and get rid of items that are only taking up space. You will discover items you forgot that you had and haven’t used in months or maybe years.
When sorting through your items, try to apply the six-month rule – if you haven’t needed or used the item during this period, you should consider whether you actually need it at all!
Once you have gathered together all the items you don’t need, you can raise some money for paying a professional moving company by having a yard sale!
4 Decide If You Are Going to Hire Professional Movers
Your decision about whether you will hire a moving company will be dependent on your resources, time frame, and budget. Hiring movers will obviously save you time and a lot of physical labor when it comes to the actual moving day.
A team of professional movers will be able to handle large boxes and move heavy furniture and they will be able to provide a truck that is large enough to contain all your belongings and moving boxes.
But, you can also consider hiring your own moving truck and recruit friends and family for heavy lifting. Get some quotes from more than one local professional mover and see which option is more budget-friendly.
5 Get Quotes From Several Movers
To make sure that you are getting the best for your money, you should try to get quotes from at least three local moving companies. This will make sure that you are able to get a better idea of whether someone has overquoted and what you should expect to pay during the process.
It can be tempting to just pick whichever of the moving companies has offered you the cheapest price, but make sure that you check reviews of previous customers and make sure that the moving company can be trusted to move all your belongings safely without causing any damage. Your choice should be based on a competitive quote and make sure you contact reputable movers.
6 Book Your Moving Company Early
A reputable moving company with an excellent local reputation is likely to be in high demand, especially during peak moving season during the summer months. So you need to make sure that you hire movers as soon as you can.
Make sure to read reviews and information on the company website so you get a good idea of the level of service a company offers and whether they offer short or long distance moving.
The earlier you start the process of taking to moving companies and book in your move, the less stress you are likely to feel as your moving day approaches.
7 Your Moving Day Should Start As Early As Possible.
Try to book the earliest morning time slot with your moving company. Getting the earliest possible start will make the process less stressful, especially if you are moving a long distance. This will should make sure that you are not struggling with boxes late into the night.
Getting an early start on your day will enable you to make sure that you can pack boxes of your everyday use items early in the day, get any last-minute tasks sorted, and have everything ready before the movers arrive.
Giving yourself the longest possible period of daylight hours will ensure that you can get the most amount of work done.
8 Check If Your Moving Company Offers Moving Supplies
One way to save a little bit of money is to check whether your moving company offers packing materials such as plastic wrap, packing tape, and boxes. Some moving companies offer this free of charge.
So before you head to Amazon to buy all your moving boxes and tape, check whether you can get these for free from your moving company.
9 Pack Up Your Belongings According to Room and Use
Organizing your packing ahead of time will save time and stress once you move into your new home. This is one of the key moving tips that is overlooked when people resort to hasty, last-minute packing and throwing items into boxes while the movers have already begun moving other items.
Think about all the items you are going to need in the first few days of moving into your new home. These items should all be collated together so they can all be contained in one or two boxes which will be the first things you unpack.
Other items should be organized into which rooms they will be going into to help with easier unpacking once you are in your new house.
Make sure to label boxes clearly with what room they should go in so you can easily identify what is where.
10 Don’t Forget About Insurance.
Unfortunately, some damage or loss when moving can happen here and there during moving as heavy items and so many items are loaded on and off a moving truck. So, look into what moving insurance your moving company offers or look into getting your own.
Insurance claims will ensure that you are covered in the event of your belongings being damaged or lost during the moving process and will ensure that you don’t end up with any extra unexpected repair or replacement fees to deal with once you have moved.
It may be tempting to disregard this side of moving, but making sure you are covered by insurance is one of the moving tips you really shouldn’t overlook.
11 Plan Your Meals for the day
In amongst all the upheaval and business of a moving day it is easy to forget to eat properly. But if you are going to keep your energy levels up you will need to make sure that you are eating properly throughout the day.
Obviously cooking and having a sit-down meal is not going to be possible, but you can get some packed lunches together ahead of time and eat some of the perishable food which you have left in your kitchen.
Also, make sure that you’ve packed some high-energy snacks or granola bars and plenty of water in your bag to make sure you stay nourished throughout the day.
12 Put Together a Bag Of Items You Will Need Throughout The Day
Ahead of moving day, think about what items you may need throughout the day. As well as water and food, you may need other helpful items such as an inventory list, paper towels, extra tape, a map of your new location, and chargers for your devices. Put everything you might need in a large bag you can carry around with you.
And don’t forget to leave clothes out which you may need in case of bad weather such as raincoats or extra sweaters.
13 Check Larger Furniture Will Move Through Doors Ahead of Time
If you are moving to a new space that is smaller than your current home, or if the doorways look a little narrower, make sure to measure your larger pieces of furniture ahead of time.
Making sure your large furniture will fit in your new home will avoid awkward and stressful situations on moving days as the moving crew struggles to get your pieces into your new home.
If flat pack items are too large, consider taking them apart again before the move. You might also consider whether you will need to remove the hinges of doors in your new home to allow your sofa or larger furniture items to be moved into rooms.
Consult with your moving crew ahead of time, most moving companies will have faced such problems before and will be able to offer moving tips and solutions you may not have considered. You can also ask your moving crew for a moving timeline checklist to help you stay organized and on track leading up to the big day. This checklist can include important tasks such as packing, scheduling utility transfers, and arranging for childcare or pet care on moving day. By consulting with your moving crew and using a moving timeline checklist, you can alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty associated with the moving process.
14 Organize and Pack Up Your Clothes Separately
Think about the size of your new closet and whether you might need to downsize your wardrobe a little. Before you pack any of your clothes, take the opportunity to do a clear-out and donate unwanted clothes to your local charity store.
Rather than fold hanging clothes in a box, you can use dry cleaning zip bags for dresses, coats, and other clothes which are not suitable for folding.
You can also protect your shoes from scratching and damage by wrapping them in protective wrapping before you put them in a box.
15 Set Out Room Plans Ahead of Time
Draw out all the rooms of your new house and decide where your furniture and items will go ahead of the move. This will save time on your moving day as you won’t have to ask the moving company crew to move heavy furniture around the room as you decide where you like it best.
Once you have settled on where everything should go, make a copy of your final room plans and hand them over to the moving crew on the day so they will know where you want everything to be placed.
16 Pack Up The Clothes and Toiletries You Will Need for the First Few Days
Plan out all the outfits you and your family will need for the first few days in your home and set these aside in a separate clearly labeled box. This will save you from looking for items in several different boxes when you have arrived.
Collect items such as shower gel, toothbrushes, and towels, and pack these up with the other items you know you are going to need in the first few days. And don’t forget to pack up extra garbage bags and toilet paper.
17 Pack Up A Small Box of Electronic Accessories
Pack up a small box that contains all your remote controls, chargers, battery packs, and other items you will need and may struggle to find while you are unpacking.
Getting your devices and Tv set up so you can settle down and relax once the moving process is complete is usually a property for most people, so make sure that you have all the accessories you need in a clearly labeled box that is easily accessible.
18 Don’t Try To Do Too Much All In One Day
On moving day it can be difficult to switch off, especially if you lean towards more of a type A personality type. But one of the most important moving tips is to make sure to allow yourself to rest when you need it and remember that the main priority for the day is getting everything moved. There is no race when it comes to unpacking boxes and you don’t want to push yourself to the point of exhaustion.
On moving day, your top priority should be ensuring you have located all the boxes and bags which contain items you will need over the next day or so. Everything else can be unpacked over the next few days or weeks.
19 Make Your Bed and Get Your Food Items Together When You Arrive
Make sure that you take the time during your moving day to get everything you need during the evening. That includes making sure that you have your bed set up and made so it is all ready to slip into when you are exhausted and tired at night.
Set up a kettle or coffee maker in the kitchen and all your dinner and breakfast items on the kitchen counter and put all your toiletries in the bathroom. Doing all of these during the day will help you when all the tiredness of the day begins to hit.
20 Make Sure That You Read Through Your Moving Contracts
Make sure that your read through moving contracts properly and are aware of how you can make an insurance claim if anything is damaged. You should also check if there are any extra fees or charges which may not have been mentioned during the initial quotation phase.
Some moving companies may charge extra if the process lasts longer than has been booked.
21 Plan Your Route Ahead of Your Moving Day
If you are moving into a new neighborhood, make sure to check which roads see heavy traffic and at what times. Also, make sure to check if there are any roadworks or other obstacles which may make your journey longer and plan your route accordingly. Don’t forget to make your movers aware if there is anything that may add time to their journey.
You should also keep an eye on weather reports leading up to the move and make sure to adjust your travel times accordingly if heavy rain or snow is expected.
22 Pack Up Your Important Documents and Belongings Separately
Avoid panic and stress during the unpacking process by making sure to pack up all of your important documents and special belongings separately. You should keep these separate from the other general moving boxes and consider transporting these with you rather than risk them getting lost in the move.
if you have lots of expensive items you are worried about such as jewelry, consider placing the care of a trusted family member or friend during the moving process, or taking out insurance on the items in case they are damaged or lost.
23 Make Sure Your Power and Utilities Are Set Up Before You Arrive
In order to make your first few days in your new home as pleasant as possible, make sure that you have set up all your electric, heating, and water supplies ahead of time. make your power companies aware of your moving-in date and make sure that your current supplies to the home you are leaving will be cut off when you leave.
This will mean that when you arrive in your new home you’ll easily be able to enjoy a cup of coffee, plug in your devices, and get settled in a lot quicker as your first night draws near.
24 Keep A First Aid Kit to Hand
Small accidents can happen here and there during a move, so make sure that you are prepared by keeping a small first aid kit where it is easy to access. Include plasters, bandages, disinfectant, a small pair of scissors, and some safety pins, so you have everything you need in the event of cuts and scrapes.
25 Make Sure to use the Right Size Boxes While Packing
During the packing process, it might seem easier to pack up large boxes with as many items as you can fit, but you may find that once they are full you struggle to move them across the floor much less to the moving van.
So play it smart when you are packing and make sure not to put too many heavy items in one box. If you have a lot of books it may be better to pack them in small boxes rather than create one extremely heavy box that you or the movers will struggle to lift.
A large box is a great place to store cushions and pillows which can also provide extra protection for other items you place in the box!
26 Pack Up TVs and Computers Carefully
Make sure that you know how to pack up your computers, TVs, and other electrical equipment so that they are protected during the move. Use plenty of padding, bubble wrap, and other packing items to ensure that electrical equipment is adequately cushioned. And look up tips and tricks on youtube for visual guides on the best ways to pack up your plasma screens so they don’t get damaged.
27 Consider Moving Items Into Short Term Storage
If there are items you are not going to be needing in the immediate future, such as garden furniture or items you are not sure if you want to keep. Consider putting them in short-term storage ahead of the move to save on labour during the actual moving day.
Once you have all your essential and everyday items unpacked and are set up in your new home you can retrieve the items which are not needed immediately.
28 Contact A Junk Removal Company
Hire a junk removal company to come into your home ahead of time and get rid of items and furniture you don’t want or need anymore. You won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of moving items you no longer want and the majority of these companies will donate reusable items to local charities and recycling centers.
29 Save Money On Boxes By heading To Your Local Stores
If your movers don’t provide you with boxes and bubble wrap before you buy your own set from Amazon, head to your local stores and see if they have any packing materials they want to get rid of.
Stores receive deliveries of products every week and might be glad of the opportunity to offload boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper. So the next time you head to your local grocery store ask if they have any spare boxes they would like to get rid of.
What Tips and Tricks Should I Know When Hiring a Moving Company in 2023?
When hiring a moving company in 2023, it is important to keep some essential tips in mind. Firstly, research thoroughly to find reliable and reputable movers. Next, ask for detailed estimates and compare prices. Additionally, confirm that the moving company is properly licensed and insured. Lastly, read customer reviews and ask for references to ensure a smooth and stress-free moving experience in the coming year. Remember these valuable moving company tips in 2023 for a successful relocation.
30 Mark Your Fragile Boxes
Do not forget to clearly label boxes that are fragile clearly. You can use special tape with red markers to signify this to the movers, or else mark the box with large wording which can’t be missed.
If you have room in your own vehicle you can consider packing items that you are worried about in your car to make sure they are safe throughout their journey to your new home.
CTA
For an affordable quote from experienced and expert professional movers in South Africa, you can turn to BW Movers. Our trained and careful movers offer a full service move including the packing up of your items securely and safely and the organized unloading of boxes into your new home. BW Movers offer the ultimate in stress and hassle-free moving, leaving you to concentrate on enjoying settling into your new home.
For a quote from an affordable, expert, and experienced moving company in Dublin, contact Expert Removals. For over twenty years we have been providing top-of-the-line, secure and safe house removals in Dublin and surrounding areas. Our friendly and efficient movers will help you with every stage of your move, from our expert packing service to a well-organized and timely unpacking in your new home. Contact us today for a free no-obligation quote.
