One of the first questions that cross the mind of every intending mover is ‘Where do I begin?’ When the excitement from moving house eventually dies off (Oh, and it will), you realise that there is so much work to be done. You need to contact a reliable moving company, a utility company, Insurance providers, credit card companies, and so many others! Not to mention loads of possessions you have to pack.
We have provided a brief but helpful guide that you can follow to ensure that your moving is successful and quick, and you do not leave any valuables behind.
First things first, packing supplies. If you think that you have enough boxes in your home, and that would be enough, then you might need to reconsider. Here is a necessary checklist you can use for your supplies;
- Boxes (Small, medium, large, wardrobe, mirror boxes, heavy-duty boxes).
- Old newspapers and wraps
- Plastic bags
- Labels, tags and markers
- Packing tape
- Furniture stretch wraps
- Styrofoam
If you like to skip the rigorous packing process, there are several moving companies that offer efficient packing services. They would professionally and quickly get the packing done, and your properties are insured during the process, so you do not have to worry about damages.
Tips for moving
- Start early: Waiting till few days before you have to move to start packing will not be a good idea. Although the time needed for your packing is largely dependent on the number of things you are getting moved. The time taken for a plain and simple bachelor to move and a full family with 6 kids to move isn’t same. You do not have to start it all at once. A box a day for a month or two will get you ready in time.
- Start packing items you rarely use: The tools in the attic that nobody ever uses but you should have at home for emergencies can be packed early. If you have a loft, that is an excellent place to start the packing, and then continue in descending order. When you pack and box these items, it becomes easier as the time for the moving gets closer. When it is finally near, you can then pack the items you use frequently.
- One room at a time: You really do not want to get caught up in confusion over half-packed rooms. Finish with one room before moving to the next. You can choose to pack by category or necessity, whatever works for you.
- Declutter: If you have a lot of things that you know you do not use, give them away. You can retail them at good rates on e-bay, or you can simply donate them to charity. Decluttering will reduce the amount of load you have to carry.
- Make a detailed inventory list: Sometimes, your collections have sub-categories, and you do not want to pack them all together. You can use a detailed inventory list, which you can type, print and attach to each box accordingly.
- Get a lot of plastic bags: For items that can spill, like liquids, using plastic bags to secure them is a smart idea. You are uncertain about the ride to your new place, and you do not want to lose your precious liquids. Take each bottle containing the liquid, unscrew the cap, fasten a plastic bag around the neck and then screw it back on and put it in a sturdy box.
- 30 pounds per box: You do not want to risk your box breaking and crashing its content. Worse, you do not want to risk a backache when carrying the box. Ensure that the weight of your load per box is not more than 30 pounds.
- Roll your clothes: You might be familiar with folding your clothes when packing, but you should try rolling. Rolling them will reduce the wrinkles on them, as well as create more space in the box, allowing you to pack more things into a box.
- Keep all your valuables together: Use a single box, and pack all your valuables. You can make a detailed inventory of them to be sure you have everything on board. To avoid uncertainties, you can get a safe deposit box with your bank and keep your valuables there, easily retrieving them when needed.
- A trick for cables and wires: You do not want to start untangling cables and wires when you get to your new home. This is risky as it can even cause frays on cords. By rolling them on toilet roll tubes, labelling them accordingly, and keeping them in a single box, it is safer and less stressful.
- Carry all your documents: Do not leave any document behind. Pack them all, and store in a box and label.
- Heavier boxes on the bottom: If you put heavy boxes on light ones, there is a tendency that the contents of the light boxes might be compressed or break if they are breakable. It is smart to put the heavy boxes underneath.
- Label the boxes: For easy identification and organisation, ensure that you label each box according to its content. It is a good idea to label on the side instead of the top so that if the boxes are stacked, you can still identify them.
- Remove harmful explosive materials: Materials like gases, explosives, corrosive materials, radioactive materials, and flammable materials should be disposed of before moving. Examples of such materials are; bleach products, insecticide and pesticides, paints, and batteries. Materials like this should be disposed of in an eco-friendly way. A lot of companies can help you handle this procedure. If for some reason, these materials must be moved, ensure that they are tightly corked and kept each in a separate box.
- Check on your pets: Some pets can react strangely to a new environment, or the relocation process might not be easy for them. You can help them relax by acquainting them with the packing boxes.
We hope this helps your next moving activity. You can hire Man and Van company in London to handle your move successfully.