By Maddy Williams
If, like most of us, you’ve experienced the turbulence that accompanies a disorganised move, you’ll know that a little planning goes a long way. Whether you’re moving house in the next few days or in the next few months, we’ve compiled some useful tips below to help make the experience as smooth as possible.
1. Decide what needs to stay, and what needs to go
This is both the most logical and most seemingly insurmountable task. How can you possibly decide what gets the cut, particularly if you’re pressed for time?
If that table or bed frame has been sitting in the garage for years waiting to be fixed, chances are it’s better to cut them loose now then go to the trouble of taking them with you. If you haven’t worn items of clothing or looked at ornaments in the past year and have barely noticed, then they need to go. A lot of these possessions can be given to thrift stores, family members, friends or charitable organisations, so don’t feel too sad about parting with them.
For clothes, one technique we’ve found works really well is turning all your hangers one way and only turning them back the other way if you use that item of clothing. If you do this over a year you will know exactly which clothes you aren’t wearing anymore. If you’re really torn about particular items, but they won’t fit in your new place, consider short-term storage facilities where your possessions can be safely stored on a monthly basis. There are new innovative options out there that offer great flexibility on pretty much every feature of storage. Have a look here to see what we’re talking about.
2. Find Some Boxes
Even if your new place is only a few streets away, you’re going to need to source yourself some packing boxes. You never realise the sheer amount of stuff you own until you have to move it all. If you don’t have already have some boxes, a nearby supermarket, or a friend that can grab some for you, never fear: some companies now offer storage boxes that they deliver directly to your door, can take away and store them and then deliver them back to the same address or to your next destination, this is especially helpful if you are looking at a significant delay between properties or you are moving overseas for awhile. Organise your box by room (or by category, if you’re moving into a share house), and clearly label the contents on the side of the box. To save on bubble wrap and make the best use of your space, wrap fragile items in clothes and socks.
3. Organise Moving Day
Extra pairs of hands are a necessity when it comes to D-Day. With packing at one end and unpacking at the other, the work is made much easier (and much more fun) with friends helping out at each end.
Short on time, or have too many heavy objects to move? Sometimes friends aren’t enough and it can pay to book yourself some reputable movers who can save you time, energy, and give you peace of mind in moving delicate objects safely. If you own a piano, it’s best to employ the services of specialist piano removalists, to ensure that it stays in great condition when being moved from point A to point B.
4. Decide On Your Delivery Options
Do you or a friend own a truck or ute? You’re in luck. Depending on how close your new place is, it might be quite economical to make several trips over the day. Otherwise, if you’ve got quite a distance to travel, it’s probably better to hire yourself a removals truck and get it all done in one go.
If you feel confident enough you can drive the truck yourself, or you can spring a little extra to get the professionals to do it. If you’ve chosen the professional option in each step, great deals will be available that help you through each step of the moving process. This might be your best bet if you’re daunted by the prospect of a first move, or if you’re a seasoned mover who simply can’t bear to face the whole process again. Most removals companies offer an array of services to help you with every element of moving and some offer such a wide degree of scaled services that they even offer the ability to store a single box.
5. In Limbo? Store Your Things Safely
If your old lease is up and you haven’t found a new one that lines up perfectly or you’ve sold your old house and are moving into a rental for now, don’t stress. It can seem like a nightmare to be crashing at a family or friends place for a week or two and having to move all your things with you, but it doesn’t have to be. There are storage options in prime locations around Sydney so that you can store your things safely until you’re able to move them to their new location. 24 hour Self-storage also offers you the ability to access the storage whenever you want so that your access to your belongings is only restricted by location. These storage facilities are secure and safe from water and weather damage. Either move your possessions there with some friends, or enquire with the company about their removal and delivery options.
With some planning and foresight, moving can be a manageable and smooth transition.
Did these tips help you? Got any pearls of moving wisdom that you don’t see here? Head over to our Facebook page and share your thoughts with us!