Whether you’re a first-time mover or a seasoned professional, packing up your house and family for a new location is no easy feat. With so many factors to consider, and so many potential pitfalls, it’s no wonder so many people shy away from taking the plunge.
The good news is that with some smart and strategic moves, you can ensure that your upcoming house move is nothing but smooth sailing from the very start. Read on for some handy advice on how to make your forthcoming move as stress-free as possible.
Plan a few months ahead
This may seem like common sense, but many people do underestimate the time and effort required to pack and move to a new house. If you’re planning to move within the next couple of months, make sure you’ve got everything on the calendar. Prioritize your packing list, set a schedule to complete the packing process and cross off each task as it’s completed.
If you’re planning a longer-term house move, you’ll probably want to factor in enough time to make sure that everything goes according to plan. In both scenarios, make sure you include plenty of time to account for any potential issues or mistakes that might arise. However they come up, these unexpected scenarios are bound to occur from time to time when moving. It’s better to be prepared for them and have a contingency plan in place than to try to wing it and risk causing more damage than good.
Start with the light stuff
There’s no use in trying to pack up a five-bedroom mansion with a few suitcases. If you’ve got a big move coming up, you might as well get started by packing only the essentials. By packing light and targeting only the items that you really need, you’ll not only cut down on the time required for packing, but you’ll also ensure that your belongings make the journey in one piece. Not only will this save you a heap of hassle, it’ll also help you to keep your costs down.
When packing your lightest items, keep two things in mind. First, make sure you pack them properly and securely. If they’re damaged in transit, you might as well pack up and call it quits. Second, make sure they don’t take up much space. Be careful not to stuff too many clothes into any one suitcase, as this will increase the weight and dimensions significantly, increasing the risk of having your belongings damaged during transit.
Get help from friends and family
House Moving is no doubt a stressful experience for anyone, but for many families, it can be especially challenging. Spouses, partners, in-laws and kids might usually be more than happy to help you with your move, but before you ask them for help, make sure you make the gesture first.
Initiate the offer by asking for help with the packing, or simply asking them to pick up a few items from the store for you to help cut down on the time required. When you make the effort to initiate the gesture first, it’ll be easier for your helpers to say yes to your request.
Worried about potential issues with the transportation? Ask your contacts if they’re willing to help with the loading or unloading, or find a friend or family member who has their own vehicle.
Don’t skimp on packing materials
Packing your home for a move is all about streamlining your belongings to make them as accessible and easy to pack as possible. However, it’s also essential to remember that packing materials are going to wear out and break over time. As such, you should always keep an eye out for bargains when purchasing new ones.
When buying new, make sure you buy the best quality possible. This will save you time and effort in the long run, and allow you to pack up a lot more in each box.
Another tip for packing materials is to use what you’ve got at home. A surprising amount of household items can be repurposed as packing materials, and will save you money and space.
When you find an item that’s perfect for your packing list, add it to your shopping list. However, don’t forget to pay special attention to the price tag before you purchase.
Use a Moving Quiz to help you plan
Whether you’re a first-time mover, or a seasoned professional, you should always make sure you’ve got everything you need for a successful move. As such, it can be helpful to use a moving quiz to help you plan and prepare for your upcoming move.
House Moving quizzes are designed to give you a simple overview of a specific aspect of moving, such as packing materials or timelines for the move. They usually work by asking you a series of questions and then presenting you with a score out of ten.
You can use these house moving quizzes to help you plan and prepare for your upcoming move. However, don’t forget to adapt the quiz to your specific needs. If you’re a seasoned professional, these quizzes might not be suitable for your needs. If you’re a first-time mover, you might want to add a few supplementary questions to help you better visualize and prepare for the move.
Make sure your home is in tip-top shape
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your move goes smoothly is to ensure your home is in tip-top shape. This should be a priority for any homeowner, and it’s even more important during a move.
Before you even think about packing a single box, it’s important to make sure your home is in great condition. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it happens to be one of the most overlooked aspects of house moving.
While you’re cleaning and tidying your home, be sure to get rid of anything that’s broken, old or not working properly. Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off, and that all gas, water and sewer connections are in place and tightened.
Bring only what’s necessary
When packing up your belongings for a move, it’s easy to get carried away with the prospect of having so many things to bring with you. However, it’s important to remember not to overpack. This will only result in you packing more than you need, taking up valuable space and causing damage to your belongings.
It’s always a good idea to start with the lightest items in your possession and work your way up to the heaviest. This will allow you to pack the majority of your belongings in the smallest boxes.
When packing, it’s important to keep a few basic rules in mind. First, make sure you pack everything properly and securely. This will not only protect your belongings in transit, it’ll also help to save you time and effort in the long run. Second, make sure you have everything you need for the house move. This includes your toiletries, bedding, kitchen utensils and so on. Third, don’t overpack. Overpacking your item-packed boxes is a guaranteed way to damage your belongings and waste a lot of time.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help moving
While it’s important to help friends and family with their move in an effort to repay the favor, it’s important to remember that you should also help them with yours. However, make sure you initiate the offer first before they ask you for help.
It’s easy to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to moving, and that you’re not up to the task. However, even if you’ve never done it before, you can make your move as smooth as possible. By following the moving tips and advice outlined above, you can ensure your house move is nothing but smooth sailing from start to finish.
