15% of Australians relocate every year and 40% every five years.
WIth this frequent changing of address, you’d think most people have the moving process under control.
Still, there are tips and tricks you may not know that can make your next move easier. Here are 9 tips designed to save you time and effort.
1. Move Easy By Planning Well
Before you get caught up in the whirlwind of excitement about moving, do yourself a favour and plan the logistics.
First, set the date for your mail, bills, and other similar items to be forwarded to your new address. Coordinate switching your utilities, internet and subscriptions over too.
Then you’ll want to plan the dates to have enough time to pack. It’s better to have extra time than not enough, as rushing can lead to damage, injury and poor decisions.
Be sure to include arrangements for young children and pets if you have them. It’s best to keep them safely out of the way when your moving day arrives.
2. Get the Supplies You Need
You may already have some of the things that you need. For instance, you may be able to pack some of your clothes in suitcases and backpacks that you already have.
Still, you will need enough boxes for most of your belongings. You may be able to find used moving boxes on Gumtree or from friends, or you can purchase them from your removal company. Using proper moving boxes is always recommended to protect your items during the move.
Make sure you use packing paper instead of newspaper to wrap your belongings. Newspaper print can rub off, making unnecessary cleaning when you have more than enough to do already.
Make sure you also have markers to label boxes, scissors and enough packing tape to close the boxes securely.
3. Simplify Your Inventory
In other words, sort your belongings and then donate what you don’t need.
If you haven’t used something since your last move, or in the past year even, consider donating it to charity. If it’s broken or missing pieces, it may be time to get rid of those items.
You me be able to arrange for a local charity to pick up bigger items for free if needed.
Don’t forget to get a receipt for tax deductions, if applicable.
Once you’ve disposed of what you don’t need, you can assess what you have. Make a list of anything you need to buy or update.
Also, this may seem like an extra step that takes a lot of energy but it’s worth it: clean your belongings before you move.
Try not to bring dirty items into your new space. You want it to stay feeling fresh and new.
The best way to do this is to tidy up and clean over your simplified inventory.
4. Stay Organized
There’s really never a wrong time to be organised – especially when moving.
Put similar items in the same boxes, or organise the contents by room. Label each box with the room it goes in and a brief list of what’s inside.
You can use a permanent marker and write on pieces of tape or the box itself.
Don’t forget to label fragile items. You can help keep these breakables safe by packing the box with blankets, pillows or bubble wrap.
Keep all of your belongings safe (and your movers, too) by putting heavy items in small boxes and refraining from overstuffing any of the containers. Otherwise, the bottom might blow out or someone could be injured.
5. Take Pictures of Your Valuables
While putting things in boxes, take a picture of your breakables, valuables, and sentimental items.
In the unfortunate instance that they are broken or lost, these pictures will help you file an insurance claim.
6. Get Insurance
No matter how qualified the movers are, accidents happen. There are too many moving parts for anyone to guarantee that accidents won’t happen.
If an accident does happen, you want to receive compensation for it, or have it repaired. The best way to ensure that is to get insurance.
7. Find Quality Assistance
We’ve been mentioning using movers throughout the article.
Sure, you could handle your relocation by yourself. But why would you when you can hire experts?
Finding a high-quality moving company is the biggest tip for an easy move.
Look for signs of legitimacy like proper accreditation and reviews. The older the company, the more experience they will have in the industry.
You should also see if the company offers additional services to meet your needs. If you can use one company for everything, that just makes sense.
Once you find the right fit, make sure to communicate every detail of the move. Include important details, like if there are stairs at the current or new property.
At this time, ask for estimates and added fees. You want to know what you’re getting into before you get into it.
8. Think About Timing
If you have the ability to choose when you move, consider doing it in less busy months.
Many people move on the weekends or the beginning and the end of the month. If you can, try to choose the middle of the month, in the middle of a week.
This might make the rates lower as there will be less demand on the moving companies.
9. Pack Yourself an Essentials Box
When you get to your new place, you won’t want to unpack all of your belongings immediately. So, you should have some of your essentials handy, in their own box.
This includes personal, day-to-day items, as well as crucial move-in supplies.
This could include:
- Baby and pet food
- Basic tools
- Bath towels
- Chargers, laptops, and other technology
- Cleaning supplies
- Clothes
- Doorstoppers (to keep the doors open while moving)
- Hygiene items
- Medication
- Toilet paper
- Rubbish bags
- Work supplies
The move-in stuff, like cleaning supplies and tools, will help you get your place top-notch before you start settling in.
Move Easy
Take the stress out of moving and let it be a fun, exciting process. Following these tips will help you do just that.
The biggest takeaway is that getting professional help is the best way to make your move safer and easier. Your time and energy are valuable resources.
Get a quote from Nuss Removals today. We can simply move your boxes from point A to point B, or we can do the entire move from start to finish, packing included.
