The annoying search is over and now you’ve got a brand new place, congratulations! However, in the words made immortal by Cage the Elephant, there ain’t no rest for the wicked. The hard part is coming – now you have to actually move house. Yes, it’ll take forever, and you’ll probably be half dead by the time you finish, but – keep your eyes on the prize – after that, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful new home. Here are some tips and tricks to help you go through this as easily as possible.
1. Start early
The first thing you need to keep in mind when you decide to move is the fact that the sooner you start, the less stress you’ll have to go through. When it comes to packing, give yourself a day per room, and start with the room you need the least. That way, you can use the rooms you need most comfortably and for a longer time. Make sure you schedule everything in time, including the mover company and the utilities for your new home. Finally, give yourself a head start if you know that you won’t be able to get enough days off work to do everything properly.
2. Declutter
Don’t take the things you don’t need. Go through all your stuff, from clothes to kitchen gadgets, and discard those you haven’t used for the last year. Organize a garage sale if you can. Donate the things you don’t need, or give them away to friends or relatives who need them. If there are some things that are not useful anymore, recycle them if you can, or throw them away if you can’t. This way, you’ll have fewer things to pack and unpack, so you’ll save yourself some stress. In addition, your new home won’t be overflowing with things even before you set foot in it.
3. Pack an unpack by room
Packing and unpacking can be incredibly tedious and stressful work. In order to make it a bit more organized, make sure you do one room at the time. Label all the boxes as well, so the movers will know where to put the boxes when they take them to your new place. It’ll make your job a bit easier, and you’ll be able to think more clearly. Because of that, the process will take much less time and effort.
4. Use a see-through plastic bin to pack the essentials
After a day of packing, organizing, and overseeing the move, chances are you won’t have the energy required to unpack immediately. That is why packing essentials into a see-through container might be a good idea. Use a big, clear, plastic box or bin, and put the most important things there. Essential kitchenware, bed sheets, pajamas, a vanity purse, and a change of clothes are all things you’ll need on your first night in the new home. If you put them into a clear container, you’ll be able to locate them easily, and the plastic will stand out among all the cardboard boxes.
5. Do the paperwork on time
If you live in Australia, for example, you’ll need to register your address change with both governmental institutions, such as Taxation Office and Electoral Commission, and the non-governmental ones, like charities, clubs, and so on. Go out of your way to make sure you’ve done everything the law requires you to do in your jurisdiction, or you may face charges down the road. Also, make sure your removal company complies with all the laws and has proper insurance. Among the many removalists Sydney has to offer, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a respectable, reliable company.
6. Set up the electronics as soon as you arrive
The first thing you should do when you start unpacking is setting up all the electronics. It’s going to do two things. One, you won’t have to deal with the cables after you’ve already put your furniture in place. Two, it’ll allow you to play music or your favorite show in the background while you unpack, which can make the process a bit more enjoyable. However, be sure to deal with the cables immediately, or you risk tripping on them or having them in the way of moving the furniture around.
Moving house is a stressful business as it is, so take the steps to make it less tedious. Prepare well and be disciplined, and you’ll finish in no time. Here is one last piece of wisdom – don’t forget to crack a bottle and take some time to enjoy your new home after you’re finished!