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Use the move as an opportunity to have a
clear-out. Have a yard sale or go to a car boot sale with
anything you don't need/want. Or give your local charity shop a
boost. Either way it'll make you move cheaper and easier and
might actually make you some cash.
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Think about the space in your new home before
you move and start to imagine the best way to arrange your
furniture in it. You can even make sketches if you like. This
will make moving in much easier and help you feel at home.
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Take any staples out of boxes before you pack
them. Stray staples can scratch floors and surfaces, as they'll
probably move in transit.
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Collect cushioning materials such as bubble
wrap, Styrofoam pellets, furniture pads, old blankets, plastic
bags, tissue paper, newspaper, and small towels to use as
padding inside boxes
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Create a "portable packing kit" with markers,
tape measure, packing tape, twine, and scissors. Carry it with
you as you pack up items around your home
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Buy LOTS of packing tape. It's great for
strengthening boxes, won't let them open in transit and can be
easily opened when you want to with a knife. Go the whole hog
and buy a tape gun too - it makes taping so much easier and it's
kind of fun too.
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If you have a piano think about how it's
going to get out of the house - your mover may need special
equipment.
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Plan where your movers can park to load and
unload - the further they have to walk the longer it'll take.
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If you're moving yourself hire something to
help you move stuff in bulk such as a trolley or dolly. It'll
speed up the move and help make sure you don't injure yourself!
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Teach your kids your new address and phone
number as soon as you have it.
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Don't use any special cleaning/maintenance
products such as wax or oils on antique furniture for a couple
of weeks before your move. They can make the wood softer for a
few weeks and leave it more likely to get damaged.
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If you unplug your TV a day before your move
it'll settle down to room temperature. Unplug it just before you
move and it'll retain heat - this can actually cause internal
damage.
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Write down instructions for any systems in
your home such as central heating and air conditioning etc., and
make sure the people moving in know any alarm codes. If you have
brochures, guarantees or any paperwork relating to systems or
appliances you're leaving behind make sure to leave them
somewhere obvious. This will make their move much easier for
them.
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If your new home has an alarm system ask for
the code before you move!
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Try to get a good night's sleep before your
moving day. Leaving things to the last minute so you're up all
night will just wear you out for the next day.
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Packing starts out being fun but can soon get
boring. Make yourself feel better about it by setting deadlines
(i.e. a week to pack up the garage etc) and keeping to them!
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Under packing is almost as bad as over
packing and the contents of under packed boxes are MUCH more
likely to be damaged. Make sure you fill boxes with a mix of
heavy and light.
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Don't leave all your packing to the last day.
You'll be up all night and still not get it done right. But
don't beat yourself up if you don't get everything done. The
majority of us will run round in a flat panic as moving day
approaches. If you're pushed for time it doesn't matter if you
just box up non-fragile items quickly or even just stuff them in
bags. If this happens to you do make sure you ask your movers to
take extra care or just transport these last-minute packed
things yourself.
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Don't use foam 'peanuts' to pack round a
computer - they can generate static electricity and cause
damage.
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Try not to wrap fragile items in newspaper,
as the print will come off on them. You'll just have to wash
everything before you can put it away. And, newsprint doesn't
generally come off well in a dishwasher so chances are you'll be
washing them by hand. If you don't want to buy wrapping
materials save up magazines for a few weeks beforehand.
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Don't use newspaper to wrap around lampshades
- chances are you'll not be able to get the newsprint off again!
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Get one of your removal men to do a last
walk-round your old house with you before you leave. A fresh
pair of eyes can often spot things you've left behind.
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If you're in the habit of hanging clothes or
stuff behind bedroom doors remember to check them as well. This
is one of the most common places people forget stuff.
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Write OPEN FIRST on boxes of essential items
and DO NOT MOVE on boxes you're planning on taking with you!
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It's easier to clean your
new home before you move in. If you can't do it yourself think
about hiring professionals to whiz round for a couple of hours
before your load arrives.
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Try to move on a weekday.
It'll be less busy and you'll be able to get hold of the
contacts you might need if there is a problem such as utilities
companies not connecting services etc.
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Tell us if some of your
boxes contain fragile items even if you have marked them
clearly. We'll take extra precautions.
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You don't need to take
drawers out of chests of drawers for the move unless they're to
heavy. If you don't take the drawers out, place the item with
drawers facing the wall of the moving vehicle or against a
bigger item with a flat surface so the drawers don't fall out.
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If you're carrying heavy
boxes bend with the knees and not with your back!
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Have your stereo speakers
loaded away from your TV - they can damage it!
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Before your movers arrive
try to make sure that all boxes and containers etc are stacked
neatly in the room (ideally around the walls) and leave them
room to maneuver. This will speed up the process.
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Make sure someone is at
your new home to meet the movers and to tell them where to
unload stuff.
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Moving is a weird mix of
action and boredom. Prevent people flagging by taking regular
short breaks. Feed people regularly - they'll be using a lot of
energy.
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If you're moving with kids
let them loose on their new bedrooms with a couple of boxes of
stuff they can unpack to keep them occupied. Alternatively give
them jobs to do such as helping movers put boxes in the right
rooms etc.
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Don't lay major appliances
such as refrigerators on their sides - it can cause damage if
they're not kept upright.
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Give
the movers your cell phone number or that of your new home so we can keep
in touch with you if necessary. When we meet, we will also give
you cell phone numbers.
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If you notice that your
possessions or buildings get damaged by the movers on the day of
the move tell the guy in charge immediately.
