Packing up a house and moving to a new place is a process that most people have to go through at one point in their lives but that no one really enjoys. Even if you’re getting ready to settle into your dream home, the idea of packing all your belongings and leaving behind a place where you’ve lived and built memories is rather bitter-sweet. And if this is your first major move and you’re not familiar with the steps you have to take, the whole process will likely seem even more dauting to you.
Fortunately, you’re not the first nor last person to go through this situation, and just like many others before you, you’ll be able to handle all the trials and tribulations of moving if you get organized and plan ahead. As moving experts at Sirelo point out, there are countless things you have to do and remember when carrying out a move, and many things that can go wrong along the way. But there are also plenty of tips and strategies that can make your moving adventure run smoother. So, here are some of the aspects to keep in mind if you want to prepare for a quick and stress-free move.
Moving tips
A lot of people think that moving only involves taking your things from one place to another. But when you’re faced with the reality of it, you’ll come to understand that the process is a lot more complicated than that, which is why you have to plan your every step carefully, as follows.
Have all your moving information in one place
Since organization is key to a successful move, it’s wise to create a dedicated folder where you can keep all the information related to the moving process, from the documents of your new house to contracts, or the contact information of the moving company you’re planning to use. That way you’ll have everything at hand whenever you need it and you won’t waste time looking for the needle in the haystack.
Start packing as soon as possible
Packing always takes more time than you think, so you shouldn’t leave it to the last moment. The ideal moment to start packing is at least three weeks prior to the date you’ll be moving, but if you already know when that will be, you can get down to business as soon as possible, and start with the items that you know you won’t need in the foreseeable future.
Coordinate your utilities
Once you know the exact date when you’ll be moving, you should schedule the termination of utility services at your old place and the set up of utilities in your new home. It’s recommended to keep your utilities on at your current place for at least two days after the move and have the utilities in your new home turned on two days before you get there, so you can have some overlap. That will prove helpful in case you arrive early, or if you leave something behind and you have to go back and get it.
Book moving contractors early on
Another aspect that you should take care of early on is booking a moving contractor, for example, west London man with a van. Although you may think that’s the easiest part, it can actually take some time to research and compare different contractors and find one that suits your needs. Also, if you leave this to the last minute, you risk having to pay higher fees.
Pack a box of essentials
Before you pack everything up, you should put aside a box or a suitcase with essential items that you’ll be using all throughout the moving process. The last thing you want is to unpack boxes you’ve already sealed, looking for your toothbrush, or searching for a clean change of clothes.
Packing tips
The biggest part of moving is obviously packing all the items you want to take with you to your new home. It’s obviously not easy to pack up an entire house, but with the right approach, you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Declutter
One of the best things about moving is that it forces you to go through all the stuff you own and get rid of unwanted or unnecessary items. There’s no point in carrying all these objects with you if you’re only going to donate or throw them anyway. So, a quick decluttering session will help you cut back on the items you have to pack and start your life in your new house with a clean slate.
Get the necessary packing supplies
If you’re going to pack up the whole place, you’ll obviously need various packing supplies, from boxes and crates to bubble wraps and tape. It’s important to have sturdy boxes in the right size and adequate packing materials to make sure your items will arrive undamaged at the destination.
Keep items organized
How you’re going to pack the items is just as important. As a rule of thumb, you should place heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter ones on top. Fill in empty spaces in the boxes with packing paper or bubble wrap, and try not to mix up objects from different rooms in the same box, as that will make it easier for you to unpack.
Secure and label each box
Once you’ve put all your items inside the boxes, you have to tape them properly to make sure they’re going to withstand the trip. You should secure both the bottom and the top of each box with several layers of tape, running it from one side to another. Also, don’t forget to label the boxes so you know exactly what they contain.
Be extra careful when packing fragile items
If you have fragile or very expensive items that you need to pack, it’s recommended to let the moving contractor know about them, so they can provide special crates and take extra caution when moving them.
Now that you know about the steps you have to take to ensure a hassle-free moving process, it’s time to pack up and get ready to start a new life in your new home.
