Moving can be tedious regardless of how many things you have or how big your house is. Nobody finds moving easy - period. You can ease the process by hiring moving experts but that still requires some preparation of your own.
That brings us to the topic in discussion. With the right tips and hacks, your move doesn’t have to be disastrous. This article will talk about moving tips and hacks that’ll ease your moving experience.
The following can be applied if you’re planning to move on your own or with the help of movers. Think of it as a checklist to avoid any moving mistakes. Let’s begin!
1. Things to Prepare Before Packing
If you’re planning to move without the help of movers, here are some things you should prepare prior to packing.
- Boxes: Make sure you have a variety of different sized boxes. This should be highly prioritized as it will ease your packing process. (Provided by us on a refundable basis)
- Tape: Get a decent amount of tape and make sure they’re high quality packing tape. (Complimentary)
- Bubble wrap: Bubble wrap can be used as a protective layer for various items such as mugs, vases and dishes.
- Plastic bags: Plastic bags can be used for smaller items such as silverware. It will also come in handy if you have items to dispose of.
- Scissors/utility knife: Make sure you have a sharp knife or scissors for cutting tape.
- Permanent markers: Use a marker to label your boxes according to their contents.
- Dolly: Moving heavy boxes will put a strain on your back and a dolly can relieve some of the pressure.
2. Packing
- Pack the Non Essentials First
First and foremost, you should always pack the items you won't need right away. This includes decor, books and artwork. You should also separate them from the other boxes so you won't find yourself digging through the wrong ones.
- Keep the Essentials With You
Make sure your essentials are kept with you at all times. This could be important documents, clothes or kids toys. Keep them in a suitcase or bag so you can bring them wherever you go.
- Implement a Coding System for Your Boxes
Label your boxes based on their content. A simple remark on the side should do or you could develop a color coding system for different boxes. All in all, a coding system can save you the hassle of looking for an item.
- Use Bigger Items to Pack Smaller Ones
Take advantage of bigger items by packing smaller ones into them. This includes suitcases, baskets and containers. This will help save cost on buying more boxes or it’ll help decrease the packing load for the movers.
- Pack Items According to Each Room
You can reduce the packing stress by focusing on one room at a time. This will give you some break time after completing a room and it also makes the whole packing process tidier. Bonus tip, immediately label your boxes upon completing a room.
- Tape Your Boxes Well
Use a generous amount of tape to seal your boxes. You wouldn’t want your items to fall out as you’re moving boxes. Of course this only applies to those who are not acquiring packing services. Pro tip, wrap tape all around your boxes and place more emphasis on the edge and bottom of the box.
- Use Bubble Wrap to Secure Your Items
Bubble wrap will add an extra layer of protection to your items. They’re usually used for smaller items such as mugs, vases and dishes. You could also use newspapers as a substitute although it won't hold up as well.
- Get Rid of Things You Don't Need
Decluttering is a key aspect of moving. The less items you have, the easier it is to pack, move and unpack. You could either throw them away, sell them or donate them depending on the condition of your stuff.
- Do One Last Walkthrough
Do a thorough walkthrough of your old home to make sure nothing is forgotten. Check every corner of your house and keep a list of all the items you have packed. This will come in handy during the unpacking process.
3. Moving Day
- Ensure the Utilities are Running for Your New Place
Moving day is a tiresome process and you’d want to make sure all your utilities are running by the time you move in. Contact your utility providers beforehand and don't forget to stop the services for your previous home.
- Establish a Pathway to Unload Your Items
Ensure there’s a safe pathway for you or the movers to unload your stuff. Scour your new home prior to moving day and clear any obstructions or debris. You should also make sure your doors are big enough for your furniture.
- Do an Inventory of All Your Items
Once everything is unloaded, check through all your items to make sure nothing is forgotten or broken. Use the item list from your packing process as an inventory guide and don’t forget to list down any damaged items from the move.
The policy provider can cover replacement costs if insurance is provided.
- Unpack in an Order
Once your boxes and furniture are unloaded, you should start unpacking in a sequence. Start from the kitchen and make your way to the bathroom. You then move onto the living room and lastly the bedrooms.
Always focus on the essential items first and leave the unimportant ones for last.
Summary
The challenge of moving cannot be avoided but you can always ease the process with these tips and hacks. Keep in mind that these tips can be applied concurrently with the help of moving experts which is highly recommended.
If you’re looking for experts to help with your move, don’t hesitate to contact us here.