Preparing to move.

Moving is hard work. No matter if you are moving from a unit or a house. You need to pack and be out of your home by a certain day and time. Some moves can be a lot easier than others. All depends on how well you have planed your move. With this in mind and all good intentions. Things can go wrong before and on the day of moving. Throwing the whole move into chaos. Having a plan in place can help in times like these when things do not go as you wanted.  From you or family members not being well. To paper work from the solicitors or conveyance ( might not be yours but the person buying your property ) not being done correctly could have an adverse affect on your move. To the removal company running behind a previous job. Something are just out of your control like bad weather. Here are some tips to help make your move go a little easier and might help prevent some mishaps along the way. Giving you that peace of mind that you are in control and can work though it knowing you have a little extra time up your sleeve.

As soon as you start to think of selling or moving .

Start de-cluttering. This is a huge job and can take longer than you think when it comes to moving and packing. Do one room at a time and clear out anything you no longer want or use. You can sell these on Facebook Market Place, Gumtree. Have a garage sale or give to a charity, family or friends. The money you get from selling your items can go towards your moving cost or items for your new home. This will also save you money on the moving cost. From not needing as many moving and packing supplies like boxes. To the removal company not having to move these items and taking up space on a truck with items you don’t need. Especially if you are paying them per hour.

Start getting your supply of moving boxes and packaging supplies as soon as you can. Pack the items you are taking with you. If you come to something you are not sure of. Put it to one side and come back to it later. There are also professional people out there that can assist you with de-cluttering and packing. If you find this overwhelming or simply don’t have the time.

Best place to start is the spare room or clear a space in the garage. So you have somewhere to stack your boxes once they are packed

Depending on where you get your moving and packing supplies from. Rather than getting the lot in one hit. You maybe able to get a few to start with and more as the packing goes on. If you are not sure what you need. Take a look at moving packs and start with that. Check to see if you will get a full refund on what you don’t use. This will help easy the pressure of trying to work out how many boxes and packing supplies you require. As it is hard to judge. Every move is different. With different items and everyone packs differently. If you are still not sure. Check with a packing supply place or your removal company and see what they suggest

Plan your move date.

Have the date set and a plan to have everything ready to go a day or two before you move. If you have sold your home. Plan to move  before settlement on your home if you can. That way should something go wrong you have a couple of days up your sleeve and can change your moving plans if you need to. As once the settlement date and time has been reached you and your items should be out of that home. This will make it also easier for the people moving into your home. So it is empty by the time they are ready to move in. Saves the mad rush should you still be there trying to get your items out while they are moving in. This will also give you a chance to clean your old home, Or your new home prior to moving if it is not done.

Finding a good Removal Company

If you have not used a removal company in your area, or you have had a bad move prior. I suggest before you book a removal company is check their reviews. Ask friends or family who they recommend or not recommend if they have moved in the past year. Do your research on the company. This goes with any professional services you require to assist with your move. Like packers or cleaners.

Remember if you have used a big removal company before you may not be able to get the same guys you had on your previous move. Keep this in mind when booking your move. As your move will not be the same as your last move. Give the removal company as much info as you can about your move. From how much you have. ( This can be updated as you get closer to the end of your packing)  To the driveway’s, parking, traffic, lifts and stairs.

Try not to move during peak times. Most removal companies will offer a cheaper rate if you book between Monday to Thursday’s. Try and book the first move of the day if you can. That way you will not be waiting around should they be held up at a job that was before yours. After peak time traffic is ideal if it’s during the week.  So try and plan they are packing the truck during this time. Make sure you check that they are covered by insurance should they break anything or cause damaged to either property during the move.  Should anything be damaged when you have moved. Take photo’s and contact them right away.

Saving time and money on the move

Having everything packed in either cardboard moving boxes or plastic containers ready to go on moving day. Ask friends and family to help you with your move

Give the removal company as much info as you can. Should anything happen keep them up to date with what is going on. To save on time and cost of moving. See if you can help them with the move. On the night before the move. Make sure everything ready to go. From the beds dismantled , Fridge cleaned out and  defrosted. All electrical items unplugged and cords cabled tied to prevent a tripping hazard.  Most importantly get a good night sleep if you can.

Your larger items tend to go on the truck first. Have these easy for the removal company to get to. To prevent injury to yourself. Let the professionals move your heavy items. if you can move all your boxes and lighter items to the garage or have them near where the removal company is going to park. Don’t forget to leave a path for the removal company to get to your items. If you are lucky enough to get the keys to your new home prior to moving day and If you are going near your new home. Take some items with you and drop them off. Maybe unpack your boxes if you can and reuse them. This could save you buying more boxes.

If doing the move yourself. Invite your friends and family to help. Put beer and pizza on for dinner as a thank you for their help with your move. When your rent a truck see if you can get one with a Tailgate lifter. This will make it a lot easier to get items in and out of the truck. Make sure you are covered by insurance and know the height of the truck prior to going under any bridges or buildings.

Moving Boxes and Packing Supplies

Find out what the removal company will supply you first. For example with your TV, mattress, large art work or mirrors , They tend to wrap these in removal blankets. With your TV, pictures and mirrors they will also place them in between your mattress. Keep in mind they also use the blankets for lawn mowers and other electrical and house hold items over the years. You can get protection covers for your lounges and Mattress. Boxes for your TV and Art work etc. Or wrap them in an old sheet first.

If they say you get your boxes for free. Ask them what the price will be without the boxes first. As some will add this into the cost of the move. Don’t use fruit and vegetable boxes for moving. Not only do they have an odour. They will also attract insects. Which can get into your items as well.

Having strong moving boxes and good quality packing tape will help protect your items while in storage and transit. Will also protect you and anyone helping you move. As the boxes should not fall apart while you are moving. Don’t forget to bend at the knees when you pick up a box. The last thing you need is to cause an injury to your self when moving. Take it easy and look after yourself as well.

We recommend you use butchers paper to pack your plates and glasses. With very fragile items wrap first in bubble wrap or acid free tissue paper. Then in butchers paper for added protection. We suggest you do not wrap your items in newspaper as the print tends to come off and go over your hand and onto your items.  If you do have newspaper use this for filling the gaps in your boxes. This will prevent your items moving around while in transit. Save you washing your items again after you move. With the boxes try and get twin wall boxes. These are a lot stronger than single wall. Use medium boxes for your plates as these tend to get heavy if you pack them in a large tea chest box. Especially if you have a lot to move.

Remember Books can get heavy. Medium Boxes are great for books. When using large Tea Chest Boxes. Half fill the box and check he weight. The last thing you need is to fill a large box, Seal it, then find you can not lift it.

There is a product call Pro Wrap. This product is like and industrial strength bubble wrap with a material backing . Use this for wrapping your canvas prints and other painting and picture frames. Especially if your items are going to be in storage for a while as the bubble wrap tends to stick to the print or the frame and can damage your items. If you can’t get pro warp . Tape some sheets of butchers paper together and warp your items first then use bubble wrap.

Disconnection and re connection of your utilities

There is a company that can take care of all this for you called My Connect. Or you can do this yourself. Make sure you check and double check your dates for disconnection and re-connection in your new home. Give all the utilities plenty of notice. Also don’t forget to redirect your mail.

Once you have moved. Depending if you are planing to move again in the near future. We suggest you keep your boxes in a dry cool place ready for your next move. Or you can give or sell these either back to your supplier if they take them. There is also Gumtree or Facebook Market Place. Or maybe you have friends or family member moving and can pass them along.

Hope this helps you in same way to make your move a little easier and less stressful. Will save you time and money in the end.