Moving house may be seen as a fun and exciting thing. I mean, with all the boxes and packing tape and decorative cardboard being used, that’s what we’re going to think of; isn’t it? Well, let us be honest with ourselves here — moving is actually dreadfully stressful, expensive and time-consuming. However, it’s also unavoidable, so here are some tips by experts including Sittingbourne letting agents to consider when you move house next time.
Plan ahead
Planning is the key to a smooth move. It may be wise to start packing well in advance. The time it takes to prepare differs depending on the size of the home and how much needs to be moved. For large houses, two months of planning might be necessary; for smaller homes, one month should be enough.
Start with seldom-used rooms/items
Before you start packing, be sure you have the following items: boxes and/or packing material, marking tools, protective gear (gloves and such), bubble wrap, tape measure and scissors. As far as sorting through your possessions goes, start at the top of your house and work downwards. This way, seasonal items are taken care of (for example, Christmas lights) beforehand and easier to sort through. Next in line would be the closets that are used less often (such as your coats closet).
Declutter and sell unwanted items
Hold a garage sale or give your old unwanted items to charity. There is also eBay, so your options are plenty. If you have friends helping you with your move, ask them whether they need anything you’re planning to sell. Before you begin your next big adventure, get rid of your unwanted stuff with a garage sale or donation. You’ll be surprised at the money you can make and the hassle it saves you.
Make an inventory
Make a detailed inventory list. Make separate boxes for times like books, CDs, clothes and more. Keep records of what is in each box to simplify unpacking. Mark each box with your address and phone number so that it is easily returned to you if misplaced.
Pack room by room
Decide what needs to be packed and which belongings can wait. Wipe down the inside of your refrigerator and how, remove all food and drinks, clean out the drawers and cabinets, then remove any furniture that isn’t included in your move – these are just a few initial steps to help prepare your kitchen. After they’re complete, you can begin packing them room by room. Create either a list of the contents of each box or a list the room the box is going to. This will help you stay organised and will unpack easier and quicker with less stress on you and your moving company.
Be careful boxes are not more than 30 pounds
When moving or storing household items, many people tend to overstuff boxes. This means that each box is heavy and pulls your back with every step. Save yourself the pain of your heavy belongings by following this packing tip. Weigh your boxes before they are packed and only fill them to no more than 30 pounds. It may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many times people ignore this packing tip!
Pack spillable items mindfully
Moving with toiletries and detergents is not as a difficult task as it may sound. All you need to do is choose a sturdy box and some plastic bags. After removing the caps from your bottles, place a plastic bag over their neck and secure it with packing tape. Then, put the bottles in the box. Your securing them this way will prevent them from spilling due to unexpected bumps during the travel.
Roll clothes to save space in boxes
If you are moving house, you want to pack as efficiently as possible. It makes your life easier, and it will also save you money. Avoid risking your clothes becoming wrinkled and folded improperly. Make the process quickly and easily store clothes into small boxes, saving you even more space. By rolling them up and storing them in the boxes, your clothes will stay wrinkle-free and be ready to wear when you move into your new place.
Roll cables and wires to place them neatly
Packing cables and appliance wires can be a real pain when moving house. Aside from making them look messy, they could also tangle themselves early on in the move. To avoid this from happening, use small toilet roll tubes to pack them individually. Afterwards, label each rolled up wire with a small sticky note and pack them into a single box.
Pack documents together in one box
Before you move, take all of your important documents with you, even the ones that fit into a box. We’re not just talking about essentials like clothes, toiletries and electronics – birth certificates, passports, bank statements and other legal paperwork are also essential items to pack before you move from one home to another.
