Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Move
- Written by Samantha Ball
Most people move more than once in their life. The time leading up to a move, however, can be filled with stress and anxiety. It takes time, focus, and a lot of prep work to make a move go off without a hitch. By planning ahead, you can keep your move stress-free. A simple checklist can help you prep far in advance, so when moving day comes, you are ready to go.
Start Two Months Out
Look for a removalist service. Start your preparation well in advance by finding your removalist service. Look through all your belongings. What's going with you? Knowing what you're taking will help you communicate your needs to the service. Don't forget about vehicles that may need to be moved as well. Book early as they fill up weeks in advance.
Consider your pets and children. How are your pets getting to the new location? Will they need to be boarded? Do you have a place for young children while you are unpacking? Consider your options ahead of time and consider enlisting the help of family when possible.
Arrange a cleaner. Property renters will need to clean the rental before they move out. Hire a cleaner to come in and take care of the details, or do it yourself, but have a plan in place before move out day. If hiring a cleaner, schedule them 6 to 8 weeks in advance.
One Month Out
Start packing. Begin packing a month before your move. Picture albums, storage rooms, decorations, and other items you don't use daily can be packed in advance. Labelling each box will help you organise when you get to your new home.
Return borrowed items. Library books and items borrowed from a friend or neighbour should all get returned before you move out. Take the time to do this now, before the chaotic last few days.
Two Weeks Out
Call the utilities. Connect utilities in the new home, and disconnect them in the old. Stop garbage pickup and any other services you have coming to your house. Also, pay any bills that may be connected to this home.
Contact the postal service. Redirect your mail, cancel old subscriptions, and call anyone that needs to be made aware of your new address. Take this time to redirect deliveries you are continuing to expect.
The Week of Your Move
Collect keys. Make sure family and friends have returned any keys they have so you have them ready for the next people coming in, or to return to the landlord.
Finish packing. Pack up the last of your dishes and clothes, keeping just enough available for your travel plans.
Finalize travel plans. If you are travelling far, check on your flights, hotels, and any other plans that you may have made.
Keeping these simple steps in mind will help eliminate much of the headache in the last few days leading to your move. If you’re still struggling with your move, enlist the help of a moving company to help keep you on track.
Keeping these simple steps in mind will help eliminate much of the headache in the last few days leading to your move. If you’re still struggling with your move, enlist the help of a moving company to help keep you on track.
