A strain on both your mind and your bank balance, moving house is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events we go through. It’s never likely to be outright enjoyable, but there are a few simple ways you can at least stop the stress overtaking the underlying happiness of what should be an exciting time.
Have a Clear Out
Start by having a thorough clear out before you pack. Why bother taking things with you that you no longer want or need? Plus, by selling unwanted clothes, DVDs, gadgets, etc. beforehand, you could drum up some extra cash to help fund the move whilst leaving yourself with less stuff to sort through once you arrive in your new home.
List and Label Everything
Once the actual packing starts, list and label everything, and I mean everything! Checklists of what’s to be done will keep you one step ahead come moving day, and if boxes are all clearly labelled with what’s inside (clothes, books, kitchen utensils, etc.), half the fuss of getting them to the right room and unloading them in the new house is already taken care of.
Pack Immediate Essentials Together
It’s always a good idea to pack immediate essentials together in as few boxes/suitcases as possible so that they can be taken to the house first. The last thing you want is to settle into your new home by spending hours hunting down phone chargers, toiletries, keys and other necessities. Along a similar vein, make sure utilities are sorted before you arrive so that water, electricity and heating are already up and running.
Hire a Van
Though hiring a professional removals company to assist with transport is a valid option, hiring a van and taking the DIY approach is also worth considering if you like to keep control. The latter method allows you to pack and travel at your own pace whilst avoiding the perils of lost/damaged goods and wrong delivery addresses that we’ve all heard about with regards to third parties. There are great options if you are looking for cheap van hire, with comparable companies likely available in your local area too.
Have Realistic Timing and Goals
It’s important to always remain realistic with timing and goals. Packing, moving and unloading in a weekend is almost never going to happen, and whilst nobody wants to be living out of boxes for weeks, it’s always better to take your time and not burn out. If it’s an option, it may even be worth taking a few days off work so you can better pace yourself and allow for plenty of hard-earned breaks.
Plan and Pick the Best Day to Move
Ideally, plan your month at least a month in advance. If your schedule allows, set your moving day on a week day especially if you plan to use a removals company as they are generally cheaper on a Tuesday, than on a weekend as that is their busiest time, so it pays to be flexible if possible.
Ask For Help
Last but by no means least is to ask for help. A few extra pairs of hands courtesy of friends and family will go a surprisingly long way towards quite literally lightening the load. Besides, having them join you for the adventure might make it easier to have some fun along the way. After all, settling into your new place and making a house a home is something to be cherished.
Ask For Help Well in Advance
As much as friends and family are willing to give a helping hand, it is always courteous to notify them well in advance, providing exact times, dates, locations and other pertinent information.
Leave a Reply