Moving somewhere new is one of life’s most exciting times. It’s full of new opportunities and possibilities. Whether it’s the first time you’ve owned your own property or it’s a simply a new start, you are looking forward to making your new property a home. Unfortunately, moving home can also be one of the most stressful experiences, especially if you try to tackle it without a plan. It can feel overwhelming, but this guide is here to help. Here are six essential tips to keep in mind when trying to move home with as little stress as possible.
1. Hire a removals firm
Once you have your moving date, you should be booking your removals firm as soon as possible. They can book up quickly, particularly if you are moving during school breaks or at a weekend. Some people may choose to simply hire a van and do the packing and heavy lifting themselves in order to save money, but this is not always the most efficient option, and it will add hugely to your stress on the day. This is particularly true if you have large and heavy furniture to move, and valuable items such as pianos. Find a piano moving company Apopka as soon as possible, so that you can tick off a big job on the list.
2. Clear out the clutter
Before you pack, go through your home and clear out all the clutter that you don’t want or need in your new home. This will reduce both your packing time, and the number of possessions that you need to take with you. You can throw items away, recycle them, or donate them to worthy causes. The more you can get rid of, the quicker and cheaper your move will be.
3. Start packing ASAP
Once you have sorted through your possessions you can start packing, and you should start doing this as soon as possible. Begin with the items that you rarely use and store the boxes in the spare rooms of the home, so you’re not living amongst boxes. Try to be as specific as you can when labeling boxes, e.g. rather than simply putting ‘kitchen’ you could write plates, cups, and cutlery. This will help you to prioritize your unpacking.
4. Keep important documents safe
Keep your important documents like passports, driver’s licenses, birth and marriage certificates, insurance papers, and house deeds in a secure box. This box should be treated with extra care during the move. Some people even choose to make electronic copies of the documents and save them to a USB stick as a backup.
5. Make a note of all your final meter readings
Before you move make sure you have informed all of your utilities providers of the move, whether you are moving with them or not. Take photos of your meter readings on the day you move out, so that you can provide these to your suppliers and get the final bills sorted quickly.
6. Organize a moving-day essentials kit
It’s a very good idea to pack a moving-day essentials kit in a suitcase, which you can keep separate from the rest of your packing. This should include your phone (and charger), wallet, cash, change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, medication, basic first aid, bottles of water, and some tea or coffee, etc. These will keep you, and anyone else who is helping you with the move, hydrated and fed throughout the day.