Moving house is hands down one of life's more stressful events. There is so much to think about and organise alongside still living your life, going to work etc. it makes sense that most people dread moving home and feel overwhelmed at the mere thought of having to move home.
That being said, there is never an ideal time to have a clear out than when you are moving home. Being able to really get stuck in deciding what you do and don't want to take with you to your new home can be a fun and liberating task. After all, what is the point of packing things you really don't want only to unpack them in a new location and have to then go through the process of getting rid of them?
Fresh house, a fresh start and there is no better way to start than making sure you are fully ready and organised for your new adventure.
That being said, there is never an ideal time to have a clear out than when you are moving home. Being able to really get stuck in deciding what you do and don't want to take with you to your new home can be a fun and liberating task. After all, what is the point of packing things you really don't want only to unpack them in a new location and have to then go through the process of getting rid of them?
Fresh house, a fresh start and there is no better way to start than making sure you are fully ready and organised for your new adventure.
How to Plan for a Successful House Move
Make A List
First, start with making a list of everything that needs to be completed before moving house. Break down the list into rooms and sub-departments such as:
Once you have listed all your physical possessions that need to be organised and packed away, list all the tasks you need to take care of.
Decide How You Are Moving
Once you know when you are moving and have a definitive date, then you can decide on the best way to move home for you and your family. While renting a van and moving all your stuff yourself with help from friends and family can usually be the cheapest option, it isn't the only one. You can opt for part or fully managed moving services. Fully managed moving services can often include packing up your belongings for you and meeting you at the new house, where they arrange your furniture in the correct rooms and assist with the unpacking.
Base your choice on affordability and how you can be or want to be in the moving process. If you have a young family at home or don't have many people to help you move, it may be wiser to opt for paying a qualified moving company to assist you.
First, start with making a list of everything that needs to be completed before moving house. Break down the list into rooms and sub-departments such as:
- Toys - make a list for each child if you have more than one.
- Clothes - for each person
- Shoes
- Keepsakes
- Ornaments
- Paperwork
- Valuables
Once you have listed all your physical possessions that need to be organised and packed away, list all the tasks you need to take care of.
- Address changes for utilities, insurances, driving license and so on
- Registering for a new doctor's surgery if needed and dentist too.
- Contact new schools
- Set up a redirect for your mail
- End any cable contracts you may have that cannot be transferred to your new address
- Register for taxes if moving to a new state
Decide How You Are Moving
Once you know when you are moving and have a definitive date, then you can decide on the best way to move home for you and your family. While renting a van and moving all your stuff yourself with help from friends and family can usually be the cheapest option, it isn't the only one. You can opt for part or fully managed moving services. Fully managed moving services can often include packing up your belongings for you and meeting you at the new house, where they arrange your furniture in the correct rooms and assist with the unpacking.
Base your choice on affordability and how you can be or want to be in the moving process. If you have a young family at home or don't have many people to help you move, it may be wiser to opt for paying a qualified moving company to assist you.
Label and Organize
If you are taking control of packing your belongings up, refer back to your list and break it down. Start as far in advance as possible and move from room to room, methodically packing away items you don't need to use regularly. Use labels to know what is in each box and which room it needs to go in. A color-coded chart can help you identify what goes where and each box's contents to make unpacking it easier.
Minor Repairs
Take care of any minor repairs that need doing around the house. If you are renting, this can affect whether or not you get your security deposit back. So as you pack, fill in the damage from wall hangings, doors or door frames and other fittings around the house. If you have carpets, it may be worth getting the carpet cleaned once your furniture is out.
If you are taking control of packing your belongings up, refer back to your list and break it down. Start as far in advance as possible and move from room to room, methodically packing away items you don't need to use regularly. Use labels to know what is in each box and which room it needs to go in. A color-coded chart can help you identify what goes where and each box's contents to make unpacking it easier.
Minor Repairs
Take care of any minor repairs that need doing around the house. If you are renting, this can affect whether or not you get your security deposit back. So as you pack, fill in the damage from wall hangings, doors or door frames and other fittings around the house. If you have carpets, it may be worth getting the carpet cleaned once your furniture is out.
Create a Moving Budget
Moving costs can escalate pretty quickly especially if you aren't organised and prepared for the day. Get quotes for any services you will need and allow a contingency fund for those unexpected mishaps. Allow for things such as gas, snacks, takeout meals, so you don't have to cook, packaging materials and more. This will help soften the blow should anything untoward happen on moving day you weren't expecting.
Complete a Deep Clean
This can be in either or both houses. Especially important if you are moving from a rental home. When you have moved to your new home, the last thing you want to do when you have moved to your new home is to revisit the old property to give it a clean.
You can hire the services of a cleaning company to give the property a deep clean once you have moved out fully --or even before you move into your new home--so you have a clean, fresh start. This will be one less thing you need to worry about before you hand over the keys.
Moving costs can escalate pretty quickly especially if you aren't organised and prepared for the day. Get quotes for any services you will need and allow a contingency fund for those unexpected mishaps. Allow for things such as gas, snacks, takeout meals, so you don't have to cook, packaging materials and more. This will help soften the blow should anything untoward happen on moving day you weren't expecting.
Complete a Deep Clean
This can be in either or both houses. Especially important if you are moving from a rental home. When you have moved to your new home, the last thing you want to do when you have moved to your new home is to revisit the old property to give it a clean.
You can hire the services of a cleaning company to give the property a deep clean once you have moved out fully --or even before you move into your new home--so you have a clean, fresh start. This will be one less thing you need to worry about before you hand over the keys.
Do a Last Thorough Check
Before you leave your old home for the last time, do one last run around the property to check for anything you may have missed. Open cupboards and doors as they've been emptied and cleared to allow for easier inspection and make sure nothing has been missed. Check roof space and basements and outdoor buildings you may use for storage.
If you plan and prepare yourself for the mammoth task that is moving home, you can reduce the stress from moving day. From making sure to pack your possessions in plenty of time to arrange to remove anything you no longer want from the house and taking care of any minor repairs that need doing.
Try to avoid leaving things until the last minute, as this is how mistakes are made and damage can happen. Improve your chances of a smooth, trouble-free house move by being as prepared and organized as possible.
Before you leave your old home for the last time, do one last run around the property to check for anything you may have missed. Open cupboards and doors as they've been emptied and cleared to allow for easier inspection and make sure nothing has been missed. Check roof space and basements and outdoor buildings you may use for storage.
If you plan and prepare yourself for the mammoth task that is moving home, you can reduce the stress from moving day. From making sure to pack your possessions in plenty of time to arrange to remove anything you no longer want from the house and taking care of any minor repairs that need doing.
Try to avoid leaving things until the last minute, as this is how mistakes are made and damage can happen. Improve your chances of a smooth, trouble-free house move by being as prepared and organized as possible.
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