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Buying a home
Tips for moving house: the ultimate guide
Countdown to moving day
They say that those who fail to plan, plan to fail.
Moving homes is one of the most stressful events one can experience. The combination of the packing, the lifting, the shifting, the breaking, the crying and the excitement all rolled together can result in many things being forgotten or left behind.
The best strategy one can employ is to be prepared and not leave everything to the last minute.
This guide is here to help you plan your moving day by not only giving you great tips to move, but when to do them.
- Obtain a floor plan of your new home and plan what furniture will go where
- Have a garage sale – get rid of the things you don’t want or won’t fit in your new home anymore. If they don’t sell on the day, drop them off at a charity
- Start collecting boxes of various sizes, this will save you lots of money when you have to buy moving boxes
- Decide whether you are going to rent a van and move everything yourself, or hire removalists. Consider your physical and mental health before making a decision
- Make repairs to your current home. If you were renting, this could help you get your bond back
- If you were renting your old home, inform your landlord or check your lease as to what notice period you must give before moving
- PRO TIP: If possible, get time off work on the Friday before or Monday after moving day to give you time to get settled
- Speak to your energy provider to get your utilities transferred over to your new address. Most companies will arrange a meter reading for you
- Book a removalist or moving van
- Speak to your insurance company to get your new home covered. This may mean getting a new policy.
- Start packing inconsequential things – books you don’t read, golf clubs, exercise equipment
- PRO TIP: Pack heavy items in small boxes, light items in larger boxes
- If your kids are in school, start planning how they will get to and from school each day from your new address
- If you are moving to an area with on-street parking, apply for a parking permit if needed
- Confirm a date and time with the real estate agents when to pick up the keys to your new home
- Back up your computer – if the worst happens in the move, you still have everything saved
- Start packing larger items – DVD collection, books, linen, clear out the shed
- Do a general clean to areas of your home as you empty them, but don’t go overboard, you will be kicking up a lot of dust
- PRO TIP: Create a list of boxes and contents – it may seem like a pain now, but it will be your best friend once you move
- Speak to your insurer to update your car insurance. This may affect your premium as your location and conditions change
- Ask\beg friends\family to help you move – even if you have hired removalists. Many hands make light work
- Organise a babysitter and\or pet-sitter for the little ones for moving day. There will be a lot of dangers on moving day – best to be safe
- If possible, stop buying food. Consume everything you have – take as little as possible with you
- PRO TIP: Pack a little bit each day, even if it’s one box. Rome wasn’t built in a day
- Update your address for your mail (or get it redirected), on your driver’s license, payslips from work and electoral enrolment
- Spring clean: clean the oven, on top of the cupboards, skirting boards, everything
- If you don’t have time for the spring clean, hire a cleaner to thoroughly go over your old place once you have moved.
- Pack valuable items in a separate box – you don’t want to be guessing which box holds your passport, jewellery and other valuables. Keep this box with you
- Create a ‘open first’ box containing a set of bed sheets and pillow cases, towel, TV remote control, change of clothes and pyjamas
- Drain harmful liquids from equipment such as the lawnmower and barbeque
- If you are taking light fittings with you, organise disconnection and installation with a qualified electrician
- Purchase small things that you will need to move in: picture hangers, welcome mat (items such as string, rope and rubber bands always come in handy)
- Return borrowed or rented items such as library books
- PRO TIP: Moving is your best opportunity to get organised. File all your documents, bills and important information in folders or files
- Empty the pantry and fridge of food that will spoil in transit – eggs, milk, cheese
- PRO TIP: Don’t forget to empty the ice tray
- Put together a ‘tool kit’ for moving day: Sticky tape, Stanley knife, screwdriver, Allen key, mini torch, band-aids
- Take a photo of the back of your TV before unplugging everything to save the guess-work when you have to re-install it
- Seal any containers with liquid (cleaning products, condiments, toiletries) or put in a plastic bag
- Pack everything. You can go a few nights without your luxuries like TV, Xbox and guitar
- If you have keys to your new house already, get a copy cut
- Buy simple things like cereal, bread, milk for breakfast for the day after moving day
- Ready funds to pay for removalists\moving van
- If you have the keys, pre-clean your new home. It is going to be a long time before you move the fridge from its place
- Triple-check everything is packed – nothing hidden in cupboards, garage, attic
- Charge your mobile phone, electric drill, portable stereo and any other electronics you may need
- Take photos of sentimental things you will miss about your old home – height measurements of kids, favourite tree, mailbox
- Pack last minute things: toiletries, medications, food. Do not spend any of your time on moving day packing
- Sleep – you’re going to need it
- Do a final clear-out check including areas less-visited such as the shed, attic, laundry, spare room
- Lock up your old home – windows, doors, garage – and drop keys off at real estate agent
- Begin the MASSIVE task of unpacking
- If you hired a removalist, inspect your belongings as you move them inside. If damaged, some removalists have insurance that will repair or replace your property
- Check appliances, hot water, heating, air conditioning, electricity and water flow to make sure everything in the sale or rental agreement is adhered to
- Find a new local pizza place to order dinner – no cooking tonight
The information is intended to be of a general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.
