Unless you live in solitude and only have a few things, moving can both be stressful and overwhelming. What’s more, prior to moving, you have to figure out how to pack and move everything inside your home. You also have to do all these things without breaking your fragile chandelier, bank and your back.
Good thing that for every problem there’s always a solution. Here’s how you can solve the three most common hassles that come with moving to a new home.
1. Keeping a detailed list
True enough, it’s sometimes annoying to make a list when you’re so excited to get on with the moving part. But despite this hassle, you know it’s the best way to keep track of everything during the move.
Solution: Write down everything you need to do.
Before packing even a single box of stuff, write everything you’ll be putting in down. Create a simple record or a moving checklist to make sure you got everything covered before the big move.
Follow these steps to ensure that you have everything under your control.
- Print a list of numbers with enough space to write. You can also do this in a notebook if you prefer to write manually.
- List down all the things you need to do before and after the move. Arrange them according to priority.
- Set an appropriate time or deadline to finish each task.
- Add some notes to each number like where you can find certain items and how many items are there in each box.
- Once you finish writing down everything that you need to do, begin with the task you set at number one.
- Tick off each completed task.
2. Actually packing
Packing is quite a tedious process, especially since you’ll need the right supplies to do it right. It’s also important to know how to pack correctly to protect fragile items.
Solution: Get good quality packing supplies.
You will need many boxes and packing tape to neatly pack up all your items at home. But if you have a moving and storage company involved, you will, of course, no longer have to worry about the boxes and other supplies. Some moving companies also offer a refund for unused boxes.
Here are five steps to follow when packing up yourself:
- Choose a packing station – It can either be a room or a clear corner of your house.
- Ready the packing materials – Build or gather boxes of assorted sizes in your packing station. Prepare all packing materials such as packing tape, markers, bubble wrap, paper, etc.
- Start packing early – Packing will always take longer than what you expect. You can start two to three weeks before your moving day.
- Pack items which you use the least first – Start with books or porcelain items.
- Mark boxes – Write or place numbers on boxes according to what you’ll need first. Also, mark the box with its destination and contents. Remember to put a note on boxes which contain fragile items.
3. Hiring the right mover
With so many moving companies to choose from, it’s hard to determine which one is the right choice. Be sure to enlist the help of a professional and recommended removalist to make certain that your belongings are safe and your move will be on time.
Solution: Ask the right questions.
Choosing the right moving company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before your big move. To find the mover which best fit your needs, it’s important to know the right questions to ask.
Here are some of the questions you should ask before hiring a moving company.
A) Are you licensed?
Asking for a license is important to avoid rogue movers. All professional movers have a license number provided by the government.
B) What is your experience?
Be sure to inquire if the moving company has enough experience with any type of move. If you’re moving to a townhouse with many storeys or a high-rise apartment, seasoned movers should be able to handle it.
C) What kind of liability coverage do you provide?
Before handing your items, ensure they have liability coverage in case of damages. Besides the liability coverage, you should also ask for a proof of insurance.
D) Do you have endorsements or references?
You wouldn’t want to hire anyone without checking their references. You can also ask around from your neighbors or friends. Word-of-mouth is still a reliable way to find a dependable mover.
E) Do you provide a binding quote?
Most moving companies have non-binding estimates. This means that your moving price is still subject to change and is dependent on the actual costs. You may end up paying more than what you can afford, or get lucky and end up paying less.
Moving may not be something you’ll find fun. But sufficient planning and having a professional moving company involved will make the process more bearable.
