8 Tips To Make Moving Day A Cinch
Carl Coetzee, CEO of BetterBond, offers these eight tips below to make moving day a cinch.
21/04/2021
Moving to a new home is exciting, but the
thought of packing up your belongings can be
overwhelming. It’s not surprising that moving
house is viewed as one of life’s most stressful
events. But by being organised, and focusing on
one task at a time, you can make the move smooth
and even enjoyable.
1. Make a list
A to-do list not only helps you keep track of everything and makes it less likely you’ll forget something, but it also lets you tick off tasks as you complete them. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to keep going, especially when you start getting tired of packing and organising. Also, label your boxes systematically so that you know what to unpack where in your new home.
2. Finish packing the day before
It sounds obvious, but don’t compromise on this one. “You will thank yourself when the movers arrive and you don’t have to rush around trying to get last-minute things sorted. Never underestimate the small items as well,” says Coetzee. You may tell yourself that they will be easy to pop into a box just before the movers arrive, but these small tasks could end up wasting valuable time on moving day.
3. Get some sleep and don’t skip breakfast
Make sure that you get to bed at a decent time the night before and eat a good breakfast on moving day. Even if you have to go and buy something, make sure you provide your body with sufficient sustenance to go the distance. “Keep a few bottles of water handy for yourself and the movers. A hydrated moving team is a happy and efficient team,” says Coetzee.
4. Dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes
Loose-fitting clothes could get caught or snag and this might lead to injury, so rather wear something fitted. In terms of shoes, this is one of the times when the saying “Life’s too short to wear uncomfortable shoes” really rings true. Be kind to your feet – they have to carry you through a whole day of moving boxes and arranging furniture.
5. Keep personal items safe
Every member of the household will have a few precious personal items. Set these aside in a safe and secure area, and make sure the movers know that they should not pack these. It could be anything from medication or phone chargers, to jewellery or family heirlooms that have lots of sentimental value. “It’s advisable to keep these items together in a box or bag that you take with you to your new home, in your own car,” says Coetzee.
6. Remember food, cleaning supplies and first-aid kit
These are the three things that home movers most often wish they had on hand. Moving days always take longer than anticipated, empty houses are dirtier than you expect, and small accidents and injuries occur in the blink of an eye, so make sure you are prepared for all three. “Keep these boxes separate from the rest of your items, or mark them clearly and ask the movers to pack them last, so that you can access them easily when they arrive at your new home.”
7. Arrange a safe place for small two- and all four-legged family members
Let younger children and pets spend the day with family or friends. If that’s not practically possible, make sure there’s a dedicated room where they can play safely, eat and nap. Arrange for someone to supervise them, if necessary. “When your pets arrive, give them a few hours to get accustomed to the smells of their new home. Bear in mind that it can take a cat at least two weeks to become comfortable in the new space. Maintain feeding routines as much as possible and keep your cats indoors for a few days until you are sure that they feel secure in their new home,” says Coetzee.
8. Walk through one last time
Even if you packed carefully
and supervised closely, there could be things
left behind. Once you depart, it’s often
difficult to retrieve these items, so do a close
inspection of each room before you go. Also
check that everything is clean, neat and tidy
for the new owners. Leave the place as you’d
like to find it.
Make sure hooks and
nails in the walls have been removed, and any
holes have been patched up. “It may be worth
taking some photographs so that you have a
record of the state of the property. Also, make
a note of final meter readings (for electricity
or water) to make sure that you are billed
correctly for your last payment and as proof in
case there is a dispute with the new owners or
tenants,” adds Coetzee.
