Someone, somewhere in the world right now is arguing with a loved one about moving house. With every packed, repacked and packed again box; with every dropped sentimental ornament and broken down rental van; with every temper flared over the right position for the ill thought out, ill fitting new sofa comes an even iller thought out divorce. And that’s a fact.
Regardless of whether you’re bidding farewell to your student flat or setting up in your dream home, moving house can be stressful. To negate some of the bigger burdens and unnecessary niggles, it’s important you get organised in good time.
Perhaps the most important preparatory measure of all is the packing of your possessions. So, with this in mind, here is the IDEAL guide to packing and moving house, stress free.
Play The Long Game With Your Packing Plan
As soon as you’ve decided on the moving date, the first thing you need to do is create a detailed plan of just how you’re going to pack. The more thorough you are, the better.
Distribute the actual job of packing across a fortnight or more, so that you don’t get overwhelmed or have leftover things to pack on the very day of your move. This may include taking time off work or scheduling smartly around the arrival of removal vans, self-storage assistance, inspections, and inventory checks, sure, but it’s essential if you’re to enter your new property on the front foot.
Pack By Room
When packing up your property, a room-by-room technique is considered the best way to save time at both ends of the process.
It is often recommended to start with the kitchen first, as some of the more awkward items are found here, though you may have to live on takeaways for a week or two (or batch cooked meals, of course).
You’ll probably want to finish with the bathroom, as it’s the most simple room to take down, but also one you’ll be using right up to your departure. Don’t mix items from different rooms in one box – instead, separate and label them. This will help you keep track of what you have packed, and unpacking will be much easier once in your new home.
Read: Stress free relocation in 5 simple steps
Colour Coding & Labelling
This goes hand in hand with the above packing method. Moving Proz, a dedicated team of residential movers in Denver, impress on us the importance of keeping a detailed inventory of all the items you place in each box. From there, assign a number to the list and place the same on the packing box.
You could even go the extra mile and assign a colour to each room. This will ease the work of the movers when unloading your belongings. You can simply let them know which colour corresponds to which room, so they can smoothly complete the job for you.
Speaking of outsourcing…
Find An Appropriate Removal Company
In most cases, you’ll want to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals. Removal firms come in all shapes, sizes and levels of security. Most will deal with house office and furniture removals, offering services such as packing up smaller items and ensuring that larger pieces of furniture are carefully moved and placed into the van. All stuff that, on the day, eases the burden no end.
Check that any company you’re considering is a member of either the British Association of Removers (BAR) or the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS). As always in situations like this, be sure to get several quotes before settling on a decision. Contrary to popular belief, moving is a highly skilled job, especially when you consider the amount of expensive furniture or artwork that people can own; the risk is high, so a certain level of expertise is required.
If you want to avoid breakages and slip-ups, then be prepared to spend a bit more to ensure your peace of mind. If packing overwhelms you, then consider getting the professionals in to help with this too, relieving significant tension and distress in the run up to, and on, the day. This is particularly pertinent if you’re preparing for an international or long-distance move.
It should be noted that if you’ve chosen to put some or all of your ‘stuff’ into self-storage, the storage company may include removals as part of their proposal.
Consider Renting A Storage Unit
Though it’s important to be fairly ruthless in your packing, dispensing with items you no longer need, not all items are worth getting rid of forever. The bright-green vase that your auntie gave you as a Christmas present last year might need to come back on the table for a surprise family visit, and you never know when your leopard-print Ugg boots might come back into fashion.
Because of this, many prefer moving their entire life bit-by-bit and not all on the same day, as this can be somewhat overwhelming. By renting a storage space, you can manage the flow of your possessions a little more seamlessly, helping you move necessities on the first day, and gradually populating your home with more miscellaneous items when you see fit.
On The Day
The big day has finally come, so make sure that it goes without a glitch. The checklist may seem endless, so do as much as you can to reduce stress.
If you have pets, then consider asking a friend or relative to look after them while you move, or put them into kennels or a cattery. If you are moving with small children, rope in support from friends or family to look after them. Once installed in your new place, get your kids’ rooms ready first, as this will help them to settle in quickly.
Finally, just remember to breathe. In a few weeks time you will be all settled in, and any memories of moving will be a distant dream.
You’ll also want to consider the various minutiae of the administrative side of things. From redirecting your mail to closing old utilities, here are the key things you need to remember when preparing to move house. We look forward to your housewarming party!