Moving to a new place is something that is both exciting and a bit stressful. With all the packing, organising, and decluttering, this whole experience can be a bit of a shock in our daily routine. And all that, on top of the already overwhelming experience of searching for a new place, setting up paperwork, and balancing all those extra tasks with our work and personal lives. Yes, quite a handful!
Fortunately, the actual moving is the last step in this process, and once done, you can enjoy the new, hopefully a better one, stage in your life. Besides, moving does not always need to be stressful — after all, in the UK alone, over 200,000 people change households monthly. All you need to avoid stress is to organise the whole process right. And here are the top moving tips to help you smooth out the experience.
Make an Inventory List
Starting as early as possible is one of the first steps in organising any moving process. The sad reality is that no one can foresee absolutely everything, but an early start increases the odds of not missing anything.
The best thing to start with is creating an inventory list of the items you plan to move. There are plenty of ways to organise this list efficiently. The easiest is to separate all items you have by categories, such as:
- furniture
- large technical appliances
- small electronics
- kitchenware and utensils
- clothes and shoes, etc.
Or, you could always go room-by-room, creating a to-be-moved checklist for every room you have now. Both approaches have their ups and downs, yet both make sense — it’s a matter of personal preference.
Create a Consistent Packing Strategy
Now that you have inventoried all the items you will be moving, it’s time to think of a consistent moving strategy. Of course, if you have a lot of time before the actual move, it makes sense to start packing the items and appliances you do not use very often.
Here, a label system will prove really handy. And, if you start early, you will have some time to think about the labelling and packing logic that makes the most sense to you personally. For example, you can go with colour coding of essential/non-essential items, kitchen/bathroom appliances, etc. Or, if you want to avoid confusion, maybe it’s better to just mark each box with a text label stating exactly what’s there.
Hire Professional Movers
Professional moving companies simplify a lot, and they are indispensable when you have to move a lot of furniture and appliances (but are also very helpful even if you don’t). Ideally, you should start researching reputable providers in your area as soon as possible — this way, you can hire a mover that best suits your purposes and budget. You can check for reviews online or ask your friends and neighbours — or both; these two aren’t mutually exclusive. After you’ve shortlisted a few candidates, ask them for a quote — this is not a binding agreement yet, but it will allow you to compare available prices.
Get Relevant Insurance
Some movers already work with insurance companies or can recommend a few companies they had good experience with. But then again, you can always research the moving insurance providers in your area yourself. Keep in mind that the UK-favoured insurance company Bupa does not deal with ensuring your furniture safety, and search for providers that specialise in this area.
Also note that the insurance plans may vary depending on transit distance, vehicle type, or even the moving company you are contracting. The same logic applies to the price an insurance company charges for their coverage plans. So, it all goes down to the first tip — start early! This way, you will have plenty of time to consider every little detail and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Pack an Emergency & Essentials Box
It is generally a good idea to pack an essential emergency box even if you are not moving. You do not necessarily have to prepare an emergency bag for a natural disaster scenario, but having the important items, i.e., documents, IDs, cash, banking cards, etc., packed together is always a good idea in case you urgently need to leave the house. So, if you have never bothered to get one, this might be the time.
Another example of a go-to box before moving is the box with the bare essentials you use every day. This means the items you will use last in the old apartment and need first in the new one. Those are basic toiletries and daily meds for most people, but you may need to add a few extra items — a phone charger, for example.
Notify the Right People in Advance
One more important thing to do in the early packing stage is to notify all people who need to know about your change of address. You should start with utility services, standing regular delivery orders, etc. You will unlikely forget close friends and family, but double-checking your contact book would still be nice.
Also, you might consider any other relevant parties — for example, clients or employers who might need to reach out to you. If, for some reason, you have misplaced some of the necessary contacts, there are specialised services online that can help you retrieve them. You can check out how to get contact details for a person or simply ask your friends and colleagues if the time allows it.
Ask for Help if Necessary
Speaking of friends and family, it is absolutely all right to ask for their help with packing. While not a necessary step on a moving to-do list, it promises you more than just physical moving help. Often, you may get a few extra packing and moving tips from others, and if not, the whole routine will undoubtedly be more fun with someone to keep you company!
Stay Calm and Organised on a Moving Day
When the moving day comes, the only important thing is to stay calm and focused. If you have done all the prep work right, nothing else should be left to do. So, make sure to have a good night’s sleep and enjoy your breakfast before the movers arrive!
As you can see, none of these steps are too complex or time-consuming. But they are perfect if you want to avoid chaos and confusion while changing homes. Yes, you will have to exercise a bit of extra discipline, but here, the game is totally worth the candle!
