Thinking of Moving
Although the reasons for moving home are usually positive, like moving to a larger property or for a new job, the move itself can be traumatic. Use our tips to make the move go smoothly.
Professional removal companies
Unless you have very few possessions, call in the professionals to help you move home. It will relieve some of the stress of the big move. You can arrange for it all to be done for you, and pay for the privilege, or you can do the packing yourself but leave the heavy stuff to the experts.
Packing
Use moving home as an opportunity to sort out your possessions. Throw away your rubbish and separate items that can be given to friends or charity shops. Get boxes well in advance from local shops or supermarkets, and save newspapers for wrapping breakables.
DIY removals
If you're moving your belongings yourself, start by hiring the right van - too small and you may need to make a few journeys, too big and you may have problems parking. It's often cheaper to book vans on weekdays. But if you move at the weekends you may be able to make the most of special two-day hire rates.
Week By Week Move Planning Guide
- Organization is the key for a smooth move and this is the time to start getting the details of your move.
- This is also the time to decide what items you wish to transport to your new home. If you decide to dispose of items that you don’t need you should either donate them to a charity or consider having a garage sale. Contact a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the garage sale locally. Team up with your neighbors who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a large neighborhood "sale".
- Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from your agent or a moving supply company. All boxes that you purchase from a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damage to your belongings. Getting boxes from other sources may create some difficulties when packed in the van. These boxes may be unusual sizes and they may not be strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.
- Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home that will prevent the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.
- Get familiar with your new community. Request information on schools, community programs, parks and recreation from the local Chamber of Commerce.
- All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan as flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.
- Finalise all real estate and rental needs.
- Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.
- All medical and dental records should be placed in a safe and accessible place. Be sure to include prescription, vaccination records and eyeglass specifications.
- Plan on taking all important documents, (such as wills, stock certificates) and other one-of-a-kind items (jewelry, coin collection, photos etc.).
Contact the Post Office for the Change of Address form to tell them of your move. Also give your new address to:
- Friends and Family
- Utility Companies
- Telephone Company
- Trash Company
- Cable Company
- Water Company
- Electricity Company
- Internet Provider
- Insurance Companies
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Checking
- Savings
- Loans
- Creditors
- Local Government agencies
- Health Providers
- Doctors
- Dentist
- Veterinarian
- Pharmacy
- Schools
- Subscriptions
- Magazines
- Book Club
- Record Club
- Newspapers
- Travel/Auto Club
- Church
- It is the time to take a look at what you own and decide what must go and what can be left behind. All items such as old books, magazines, broken items & old toys can be left behind. Remember adding more weight to your shipment costs more money.
- Organise your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your van line agent will move and what items you will move yourself.
- Make a decision of the items not going that will be sold at a garage sale, collected by a charity or trash it.
- Make a decision on who will do most or all the packing. It is a good idea to let the van line agent do most of the packing. The van line agents know the best methods for keeping items safe; that's what they do for a living. Get your kids involved with the moving process; let them do some packing and even suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.
Notify your agent if there are any changes to the dates of your move. If you will need any additional or specalist services such as piano moving, packing and unpacking or storage, you should inform the van line agent for pricing information. Also inform the van line agent if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment.
Decide how much packing you will handle yourself and inform your agent of any items that you decided they will pack.
Whether you move your car with the us or a car carrier, you should make your final reservation for a car pick up at this time.
Consider giving your plants to friends or a charity if you are moving from one state to another. Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants.
Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper up to date health certificates and rabies innoculations. Some countries will require these documents.
You will need to carry all valuable jewelry with you. If you have any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving. Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc.).
Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts. Clear all your safety deposits boxes.
Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.
Make final packing decisions & Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attics.
Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped.
Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic & non-flammable in plastic bags.
Drain your lawn mower, snow blower, power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.
Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider. If you need to store anything call your van line agent about storage options available.
Inform gas, electric, cable, and telephone services of your move. Arrange to have them disconnected from your present home the day after your scheduled moving day. Sign up for services at your new address and connect them on your moving in day.
Have your automobile serviced if your travel is by car.
Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions. Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load" or "Load Last" stickers.
Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove, all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors.
Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delay or schedule change. Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number of your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.
Arrange for payment to your van line agent. Contact your van line agent to inquire about methods of payment accepted.
Pack a box of things you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. (This might include non-aerosol cleaning supplies, disposable plates and cups, light tools, snacks, bathroom items and trash bags.)
Take this box with you or have the driver load it last and unload first. This is usually the day packing is done.
Make sure all packing services have been performed before you sign for them.
Be on hand when the driver arrives and throughout the loading process. (If you won't be there, make sure someone will be there to direct the movers. Make sure the driver has in writing the name and phone number of that person.) Accompany the driver during inventory. Check on the condition of your goods as they are loaded.
Make a final tour of your home; See that nothing is overlooked.
Sign the bill of lading and make sure your new address and phone number are correct.
Lock all windows and doors, and turn off all switches.
Arrive at your home a day ahead of time, if possible, to make sure utilities are connected and to plan placement of major items in your home.
Be on hand to pay the driver with cash, traveler's check, certified check or money order prior to your goods being unloaded.
Tips and checklist
Keep the following supplies handy for packing:
- Boxes,
- Marking pen,
- Bubble wrap,
- Newspaper and Tissue
- Tape and scissors
- Tape measure
- Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase special boxes for dishes, glassware, valuables and other special or large items.
- Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from.
- Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.
- Label each box and indicate the following:
- (a) Which room it should go in
- (b) Whether it is fragile
- (c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.
- Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.
- Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.
- Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move.
- Pack medicines in a leak proof container.
- Carry all valuables with you.
PLAN AHEAD TO OBTAIN NECESSARY BOXES:
You might save a substantial amount of money, however, by obtaining cartons from other sources such as friends who have recently moved and/or stores. Starting to collect cartons a month or two prior to your move will probably make it possible to obtain enough cartons.
SELECT THE PROPER SIZE AND TYPE OF BOXES:
Heavy items such as books, record albums, canned food, etc. should be put in smaller cartons. Some items such as large pictures, mirrors, glass tops and shelves, clocks and mattresses may require special cartons which we can provide.
PACKING OF SOME ITEMS IS OPTIONAL ON LOCAL MOVES:
When you are moving locally some items do not necessarily need to be packed. Items such as mirrors, large pictures and mattresses can usually be transported safely for short distances without packing. Generally, these items should be packed for long distance move and for shipments moving into storage. Lamps and lampshades should always be packed.
PACK ONE ROOM AT A TIME:
Packing can appear to be an insurmountable task when viewed from the perspective of the entire house. Packing one room at a time (and staying with that room until it is fully packed) has the effect of dividing the overall task into several smaller and more manageable tasks. This approach also makes it possible to set realistic goals, i.e. pack the dining room today, the kitchen tomorrow, etc.
TAPE THE BOTTOM OF BOXES:
Taping the bottom of cartons before filling them prevents the contents from spilling out the bottom during the move.
HEAVY ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM/LIGHT ITEMS ON TOP:
In each carton the heavier items should be placed at the bottom and the lighter items on top to prevent damage.
USE A LOT OF PAPER:
All breakable items should be wrapped individually in paper. Paper should be used to cushion the bottom, sides and top of cartons.
PLACE BREAKABLES CORRECTLY IN BOXES:
Plates should be stacked vertically as if in a dish drain; glasses and stemware should be placed in an upright position; again, use plenty of paper on all fragile and breakable items.
CORRECTLY FILL BOXES:
Fill all boxes to the top without overfilling. Boxes with items sticking over the top cannot be properly closed or stacked; boxes that are underfilled tend to crush when stacked. Always make sure each box is filled totally to the top before closing. A small space at the top can be filled with paper, a towel, a blanket or other similar items.
CLOSE BOX AND SEAL SHUT WITH TAPE:
Boxes should be closed-top and sealed with tape to prevent damage and make stacking easier.
LABEL EACH BOX:
Use a felt pen to clearly label each carton as to its general contents and the room it is to be placed in at destination. Label on the side of each carton rather than on the top so that cartons in stacks can be identified. If a box is packed in a manner that requires it to be always kept in an upright position, draw arrows on each side indicating which end must always be kept up. Any box containing particularly fragile items should be labeled as such.
STACK BOXES:
Time will be saved on your move if you arrange boxes in stacks of similar sized boxes four to five feet high. This enables the boxes to be easily dollied from the house to the truck.
Hire a removal company at least two weeks before you move
- Use a removal company who is a member of the British Association of Removers
- Get at least three quotes before deciding which one to use
- Check if the company offers a discount on a weekday
- Check the fine print in your moving insurance
- Make a list of your possessions so you can check if you've left anything behind
It will help if you let the company know the following things:
- The amount of furniture you're moving, so it can choose an adequately sized truck and plan the number of journeys needed between your old and new home
- A rough guess of how many boxes the company needs to pack, so it can estimate how long it will take
- The exact time you want the team to arrive
- Clear instructions and directions to your new property
- Arrange a parking space for the removal van
- Always tell the removal firm well in advance of pieces of furniture which won't go through the door
- Make a plan of where the furniture needs to go in your new home
