10 tips for moving house
Moving house can be a stressful operation, especially if you want to be out and into the new place as soon as possible. Whether you are moving interstate, up the road or to a different suburb, moving house doesn’t have to be an exasperating experience.
From packing to unpacking and everything in between, these 10 handy tips from Kent Removals and Storage will help make moving house easy and painless.
1. Do a spring clean-out :
Finding where to start can be daunting if you are moving house. To make it easier on yourself, the less stuff you need to pack, the less time and space you need.
A good place to start is by getting rid of anything and everything you don’t use anymore. Things like old clothes, bedding, ornaments, furniture, plants and even things in your pantry that haven’t been touched in years. By throwing out the old and unused, this will give you a fresh start and a lighter moving journey.
2. Dismantle furniture :
Break down items and furniture which come apart easily that you won’t need to use in the lead up to moving house. This will also open up space and is easily transportable.
Put any removable components, like screws or bolts from the dismantled furniture, into a clear plastic bag or container. Tape the bag to larger pieces of furniture or safely secure them elsewhere – but make sure to record which components belong where.
3. Save on space :
Flat pack or dismantle as much as you possible can and consolidate smaller objects that are likely to go missing if packed in a larger box. Use vacuum seal bags for things like clothing you don’t wear often, sheets, towels etc.
Make the most out of baskets, suitcases and laundry bins by packing what you can inside them. However, avoid packing your valuable objects inside them and in any furniture like cupboards or drawers where they can be damaged or lost.
4. Pack dishes upright :
Packing kitchen utensils is a very delicate and tedious process. Stack objects like plates and bowls vertically, and use cloths, paper towel or material to separate them so they don’t break or chip. Try and avoid using newspaper as this can stain and dirty the dishes.
5. Take photos :
If you want to remember how your furniture was laid out in your previous home, take photos of the furniture before you dismantle it if you want to stick to the same layout. This will also give you an idea of how the to put the furniture back together.
Also take photos of your electronics and chords to help you remember where all the wires belong.
6. Distribute weight :
It might seem like common sense, but the way you fill your boxes might be letting you down. Pack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on the top. Packing lighter items in bigger moving boxes and heavier items in smaller boxes will make it easier to carry and move around, although try to avoid packing heavier than 20kg in any box.
7. Label and list :
Always label moving boxes with its contents, this will help in the long run when you’re looking for a specific item. It is also efficient to prepare a separate inventory list detailing box number and contents to have as back-up.
8. Room by room :
Pack one room at a time, keeping all the packed boxes for each room together. Leave the most used room to last, like your bedroom or kitchen.
9. Consider your first night :
You may find yourself feeling exhausted after moving house, more so if you are not using the help of a removalist. So, make sure everything you need to feel settled into your new home on your first night is easy to access. Consider packing a separate ‘first night box’ containing bed linen, towels, clothes and toiletries for all family members.
10. Move safely :
Do not pack dangerous goods such as corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising or water-reactive goods. Items like LPG gas bottles and mower fuel fall into this category. Take special care when packing sharp object and make sure they aren’t poking out boxes, all boxes should be able to be closed and taped over securely.
Moving house can be exhausting, but by being prepared and organised you can take a lot of the stress out of the day, allowing for an easier journey so you can focus on settling into your new home.
Are you thinking about selling and taking on a big move?
Source: reiwa.com.au
07 October 2022