No one enjoys the hustle and bustle of moving, even if the end result is being in a brand-new home. If taken at face value, moving is just packing up and unpacking – but there are so many more little details that make it different – more challenging.
So what can you do to ensure your move is as smooth as possible?
A Go Bag
One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family is to pack a small overnight bag. The overnight bag will mean you have everything you’ll need immediately.
Things like cleaning chemicals, tea bags, a kettle, spare clothing, towels, and any medicine. It is also a great idea to add a few toys or a coloring book to occupy any younger children with you.
Your go bag is perfect for the first few days in your new home, so you don’t need to rush to unpack and can do things in your own time.
Don’t need it? Don’t take it.
Everything you pack into your moving van will cost you money. If you don’t need it, use it, or love it, donating it or selling it a long time before the moving van arrives is a good idea.
If you’re unsure if you need to take it, ask yourself if you have used it in the last few years.
Things like clothing that doesn’t fit, spare parts of bed frames, or extra kitchen utensils are good to go.
Quotes
It is a good idea to get multiple quotes from moving companies before moving day arrives. Check quotes online, as you can here with Allied Van Lines, then give them a call so that you can have a chat about what you need.
Aim to get about ten quotes, and keep an eye on what you get for the price. Sometimes the cheapest options don’t offer the most amount of services.
Consider if you need things like packing and wrapping or if you have any awkward or large items they need to know about.
Look for the highest amount of services for the lower price as you consider the quotes from moving companies.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a huge issue when you get to the other end of the journey. You’ll need to make sure that you dispose of it correctly. However, you can save huge costs by using clothing instead of bubble wrap. It also means you can make the most of the room in the van.
Socks, gloves, hats, and blankets make it ideal for packing glasses, ornaments, and much more.
Room or Category
There are two schools of thought regarding packing – packing by room or packing by category. Packing by category can be one of the easiest things because you might have miscellaneous stuff when you pack by room – and they might be in a range of different boxes.
A single room box could have books, things from a drawer, towels, and nick-nacks. But when packing by category, everything of the same thing will be in the same place.
It is just as important to look at what you should try to do as what you shouldn’t: 6 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Moving To A New House.