How to ensure moving home is stress-free and organised

How to ensure moving home is stress-free and organised

Moving house is something that people look forward to and dread all at the same time. There’s the excitement that goes along with a new home, but then reality hits and you realise you have a lot of packing, organising and moving in your future. This can create quite a bit of stress and turn what should be a positive situation into a negative one. To help ensure this isn’t an issue, we’ve got many essential moving house tips that will eliminate the stress.

cardboard boxes, tape and scissors

Start the process as early as possible

One of the best pieces of advice to follow is to start the process early. Ideally, you want to start organising the moment you know you’re going to be moving. Tackling a little bit each day is much more accessible and stress-free than leaving it all until the last minute. Taking your time also ensures you don’t miss anything, you pack things properly and safely, and it’s done logically rather than thrown together at the eleventh hour.

Plastic box with items for donation

Do a declutter before packing

Chances are you’ll have items you don’t want or need in your new place – so why take the time to pack these items, move them and then unpack them at the other end? Experts suggest doing a massive full-house declutter before you even start on the packing. You can put things into three piles – keep, donate/give away and rubbish.

Cardboard box with 'bedroom' label

Label all your boxes – small and large

The next tip is to make sure you’re labelling every box no matter how big or small it is. This will make the process of unloading the moving van and unpacking so much smoother. You may find it helpful to invest in a label maker for this process, as it will be well worth it.

Cardboard box and red tape dispenser

Have all your packing supplies to hand

You’ll also need a selection of packing supplies, so it’s best to get these in advance. These include cardboard boxes/crates of various sizes, bubble wrap, packing tape and marker pen. Stored them all together to save yourself from having to hunt around for them.

Two men in a white moving van

Hire a removals company

There’s the ultimate stress-free tip and that is to leave all of the hard work to someone else – in this case, a professional house removal service. These companies ensure that your move day is organised, on time and without issue. Depending on the company you choose, their services will differ; however, if you want the full-service experience, look for one that can do both the packing and the moving. For example, G W Twilley and Son Removals prides itself on ensuring your move happens seamlessly. You can talk to them about what you need, fill in a survey and then get a quote on the exact services required. They go over all the details of the moving day beforehand so that you aren’t left feeling frazzled and stressed.

The fact is, moving doesn’t have to be a big stressful event. When you take the time to properly organise and plan out the day, it can be filled with positive energy and excitement. It’s the perfect way to usher in this new stage of your life.

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How to move your plants when you move home

How to move your plants when you move home

Moving home can be one of life’s most stressful activities. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. If you plan ahead effectively, your move will be exciting rather than stressful. Part of this involves ensuring that your most cherished possessions arrive safely. For many people, that includes their plants. Here are some tips to help move your plants to their new location successfully.

Moving boxes and plant in a kitchen

Get packing in good time

Even if you have the budget for professional removers, it can be more useful to use mobile storage solutions like https://www.mobistorage.com.au/moving-house/perth/. The benefit of this is that it allows you to pack your belongings yourself at your own pace. This allows you to declutter as you go rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Taking the pain out of the main household move will give you more time and energy (and money) to organise the removal of your more precious items. As a rule of thumb, pets and any very personal items should generally travel with you. Plants may go in your car (or on public transport). You might, however, want to arrange alternative transport for them.

Taking cuttings from a favourite plant

Moving garden plants

Before you move outdoor garden plants, make sure that you legally can. If you’ve sold a home with a garden then the garden plants may be considered to be a part of that sale unless you clearly specify otherwise. If you’re a tenant, then the plants will probably belong to your landlord unless you planted them yourself. Taking seeds or cuttings is often a better option.

You’ll also need to consider the practicalities of finding a new home for your garden plants. Even if your new garden or allotment is geographically close to your old one, the conditions may be significantly different. For example, the soil may be more acid or alkaline, there may be a different balance of openness and shelter and/or of light and shade.

If, however, you’re confident that you can take at least some of your garden plants with you and give them a happy new home, it’s generally possible to move them. Prune them back as hard as possible ahead of your moving day. Then uproot them as close as possible to your moving day. Try to dig when the soil is warm rather than cold or hot. Leave plenty of room for the roots. All these steps will minimise trauma to the plants.

House plants in a cardboard box on a checkerboard floor

Pack and load your plants for stability

Once you have all your plants gathered together, you need to pack them for stability. For example, tie branches together and add canes for support. Consider adding weights to pots. Try to pack smaller pots in trays with lips so the pots support each other. Keep the weight balanced across the tray.

When you load your plants, keep stability in mind. If you have a lot of plants, using a van can be far easier than using a car. Whatever transport you use, make sure that larger plants (and their pots) are going to stay put and not crush smaller ones.

If you’re going any more than a very short distance, give your plants a good drink before you leave. In fact, if you’re going a long distance in hot weather, you may need to rehydrate them periodically during your trip.

House plants arrived in their new home

Making your plants feel at home

Check your plants thoroughly for transport damage and if you find any deal with it promptly. Replant garden plants as quickly as you can and water them in thoroughly.

Try to give all your plants the same conditions they had in your old home. Container plants will generally adapt easily, garden plants will often need more attention. In particular, they’ll probably need extra water and possibly food until their roots are completely back to normal.

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Make your moving day stress-free with this checklist from movers

Make your moving day stress-free with this checklist from movers | H is for Home

Planning & preparing for your upcoming move can be extremely stressful. However, a complete checklist of to-dos can go a long way in streamlining the moving process and making the big day stress-free.

With so many things to attend to, take a look at this moving checklist so you can transition into your new home effortlessly.

Flatpacked cardboard boxes

1. Get organised

Of course, there are things you’ll definitely want to do in advance to simplify the moving day. By tackling some tasks beforehand, you can keep yourself organised throughout the process. The more you stay organised, the more you can make your relocation stress-free.

  • First, find time to research professional movers. If you’re moving to New York City or nearby places, start getting on-site estimates from movers. Once you get a hold of the estimates, make a fair comparison and find the best moving company.
  • Second, de-clutter. Walk around your house and get rid of all unwanted items. Once you’re done, update your inventory as needed.

Manila files

2. Deal with paperwork

Make sure you deal with all the paperwork before the moving day arrives to avoid misplacing them. Thus, it’s essential to keep all the important documents in one box. These may include passports, insurance polocies and other related documents.

It can also be a good idea to create electronic copies of these documents. All you have to do is to scan and save them on a USB. Be sure you always have easy access to all of them.

Daschund in a cardboard box

3. Plan how you pack

Packing all your belongings can take longer than you think. That said, it’s best to begin as early as possible to avoid stress and anxiety. Once you’ve cleared away everything you don’t need, you can start with the rooms you use the least. Packing up those areas and then utilising them to store any of the boxes will allow you to get things done in the fastest time possible.

When it comes to labelling, it’ll be easy to mark the boxes with the room you in which you want it to go in your new home. Make sure you bullet point a few of the items within the boxes, so you know what’s inside. Moreover, try not to fill your boxes with too many things. Use big boxes for lightweight belongings such as cushions and duvets and small boxes for heavier ones such as books.

If you have electrical equipment such as printer scanner, flat-screen TV etc, it’s a good idea to use their original boxes to ensure they don’t get damaged. You can also use bubble wrap and durable packing tape for additional protection. If you’re moving heavy items such as a piano, it’s great if you have them handled by experienced piano movers. That way, you’ll not risk injuring yourself in the process.

Packed & stacked cardboard boxescredit

4. Get ready when the movers arrive

As mentioned, the most stressful part of moving is the actual day of your relocation. You need to do many things to make sure everything is ready once the moving crew arrives. Below are the things you need to do to make your moving day stress-free:

  • Check all the paperwork, including the essential details of the agreement you signed with the moving company.
  • Make sure you have an inventory of all boxes before they’re loaded into the truck.
  • Confirm with the crew the time and date your stuff will be delivered to your new destination.
  • Do a quick run through with the crew as they check your furniture and other bulky items. Be sure you and the movers are on the same page when it comes to the condition of your furniture. It’s beneficial in case your items will get damaged during the relocation.
  • Prepare some snacks and cold beverages to build a friendly relationship with your movers.
  • Keep your communication lines open, so you’ll be available to respond to any questions that the crew may ask you during the transit.
  • Make sure to keep your moving day survival kit handy to ease the transition.

Key in a front door

Conclusion

Moving day can be a big deal. Although you want everything done as soon as possible, it can really be strenuous. Therefore, follow this moving day checklist to ensure all necessary tasks are completed on time. With this checklist from movers, you can enjoy a smooth moving day experience into your new home.

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Critical mistakes you must avoid when moving house

Critical mistakes you must avoid when moving house

Moving home, whether it be to another country or just down the road, isn’t an easy thing to do. Though the process might seem straightforward, there are many more details to consider than just packing and transportation. There are so many decisions to be made and things to do that mistakes are bound to happen. The trouble is, when certain things go wrong, they can cause a lot of stress. With that in mind, here are six critical mistakes you must avoid when relocating.

Illustration of a cardboard moving box

1. Taking everything with you

The more you take with you to your new home, the more stressful the move is going to be. You’ll also make the process more costly, as you’ll have to hire a larger moving van. Because of this, you should take moving house as an opportunity to de-clutter. Before you start packing, go through each room and set aside things you don’t want. You can then donate those belongings.

Illustration of a delivery man

2. Failing to change addresses

Banks, utility providers, employers and the Post Office don’t automatically know when you move house or where you move to; this is something that you’ll have to tell them. If you forget to do this, you could miss important mail or receive a higher energy bill than you should. Make sure that you contact those establishments to inform them of your move at least two weeks prior.

Illustration of two removal men holding a cardboard packing box in front of a removals van

3. Moving without professional help

Some things in life you can do easily by yourself. Moving house, however, isn’t one of them. Even if you’re only moving down the road, you should call up a moving company to help. Removalists are experts in disassembling and fitting together furniture, as well as lifting heavy and awkward items. This can save you a lot of trouble, as well as the risk of injuring yourself.

Illustration of a woman packing a cardboard box

4. Leaving packing too late

Packing up your home is a task you can never leave until the last minute. You always have more stuff than you think you do, so it’s best that you give yourself at least a few weeks to get everything into boxes. Start by packing up rooms that you use the least, like the attic and spare bedroom, and then move to another one. You can utilise the empty rooms to store all the boxes.

Illustration of a blue elephant holding a 'Don't forget' plackard in its trunk

5. Forgetting the survival box

Although you’ll unpack a few boxes the night you move in, most of your belongings will be left packed up until at least the following day. This can cause problems if you don’t know where your toothbrush, pyjamas, or plates are. There are a few things that you’re guaranteed to need on moving day. For easy access to those essentials, you should pack them all together in a moving day survival box.

Illustration of a man with empty pockets

6. Overlooking the hidden costs

Moving house isn’t a simple or cheap process. Just the moving company alone can cost you hundreds, especially if you choose to move on a weekend or public holiday. Although it’s not possible to plan for every cost involved in moving, there are many hidden ones that you can’t afford to overlook – such as unforeseen repairs. You should also plan for unexpected costs by saving up a cash cushion.

Moving house can be a stressful process, but avoiding the mistakes above will make it a lot easier for you.

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