Moving house is an exciting time, but organising a move can also be stressful. When planning a move you will want to make sure you are well prepared. So here at Allied we've put our heads together to create a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know when moving house.
General Moving Tips
Moving house, unit or apartment is not an easy job. You might not realise how much time, effort and money needs to go into moving until you do it. We have prepared this guide on how to move with the best tips for moving, information regarding additional services involved and how to make sure you don’t forget anything.
1. Start by Decluttering
Before you commence the long process of organising, packing, moving and unpacking all of your belongings, make sure that you are only dealing with items that you actually need. If you’re guilty of having hoarding tendencies (like a lot of us do), you may find yourself with boxes of things that you will never need or touch again. Save yourself time, effort and money by selling, donating or disposing of these things now and only paying for moving items that actually matter.
Bonus tip: To make some extra money from items you would otherwise not use, try selling them on a marketplace like Trade Me.
2. Recruit help
Now is the time to start looking at your options for moving companies. The earlier you start, the more chance they can accommodate your needs in terms of the dates and the services that you require. The other advantage of recruiting help at this early stage is that professional movers have the experience and knowledge to help you plan the most simple and effective strategy for your move.
3. Itemise & Label
You will thank yourself later if you make the effort to itemise and label all of your items now, and not during your move. This might sound like one of those things that is good in theory but that no one actually does. Trust us, our clients that create an inventory of their belongings and clearly label them at this early stage, are the ones who have the least stress and unforeseen challenges on moving day. To make things even easier, if you opt to have our professional team pack for your move they will itemise and create an inventory of all of your belongings!
4. Give yourself time
When it comes to packing, time is power. The more time you give yourself to pack everything you own, the more control you have over the outcome. Stress packing can result in items getting lost and can make the unpacking process harder than it needs to be. Allied offers full packing and unpacking services to take the pressure off, contact us today for a quote.
5. Pack least used items first
The last things you want to pack are the items that you use the most. There’s nothing more frustrating in the packing process than realising something you need is buried deep in a box that you have to unpack to retrieve. Start with the rooms and items that you use least often, and slowly make your way to the stuff you need the most. This will hopefully spare you the unpleasant process of unpacking more than once!
6. Don’t skimp on packing supplies
If you think that your grocery bags, backpacks and shoe boxes will suffice for your move, tåke a long hard look in the mirror and think again. Specialty packing supplies ensure that you can fit plenty of items in so you don’t have to make unnecessary extra trips. More importantly, speciality boxes and wrapping supplies ensure that your items will be safe and secure during transit. Ask your removalist company about the packing supplies that will be right for you.
7. Stay open until you move
Don’t start securing your draws, cupboards and boxes closed until it’s time to move. As you make your way through your packing list, you are likely going to need to check what has ended up where. Fastening your draws or cupboards closed will only cause frustration when you inevitably need to take a peek inside to check if something is there.
8. Keep your essentials handy
When it comes to the things you use most often or need most urgently, don’t mix these up with the rest of your packing. Get yourself a separate bag to put all of these items in so that they are readily available when you need them. This might include medicine, your toothbrush, chargers, work documents etc.
9. Document the details
Anything that you want to recreate in your new home should be documented for ease of replication in your new home. This might be the way the cables are set up on the back of your tv, the order of books on your bookshelf, the way you’ve laid out your shelves in your study etc. Take some photos or jot down some notes so that you have an easy guide to refer to when you're unpacking.
10. Check out your new neighbourhood
Throughout all of this process, don’t forget that there is a rewarding purpose to all of this: your new home! Go check out your new neighbourhood to get a feel for the place and to see the sorts of shops and restaurants nearby. This might give you inspiration for what you might like to do in your new home, or it might just help you start to settle in.
Changing Your Details
Whether you are moving across the street or planning a long-distance move, there are several details that need to be updated. This guide will help you with the process of moving and what details you need to change. Check out The Essential Change of Address Checklist for a detailed guide!
1. Transfer your utilities
There are two distinct parts of changing your address, the physical part of moving and the administrative side of changing your details. It’s important not to leave this until the last minute, otherwise you may find yourself without water or electricity in your new home. Start notifying your utility providers nice and early to ensure a smooth transition.
2. Update your address
Updating your address with the postal service is not only an important step, but a big symbolic moment in your move. Once your mail is redirected, your new address is very much official.
3. Update council tax information
Before you have made the move, make sure you’ve looked into your new council region and the requirements for updating your tax information. Being part of a new municipality means following their local laws and paying their council taxes, so make sure this is updated and ready for your move.
4. Register to Vote
Making sure your information has been updated for your new electorate is your responsibility and an important part of living in New Zealand. Update your voting register as early as possible, as it can be easy for this important part to be overlooked amongst the excitement of moving.
Moving Tips
Moving home can be something of an adventure, but there are some tips that can help make the process easier and less stressful. When it comes to packing your house for your new home, there are a few essential items that you'll want to consider before you begin your big day. Following these lists will help make the packing process a bit less stressful and have an easier time unpacking everything once you're there.
Living Room Tips
1. TV & Electronics
When you’re packing up your tv and electronics, start by unplugging all wires and cables, secure them individually with cable ties and place them in a sealable accessory bag. Protect the screen of your TV either by packing it in the box it came in, by wrapping it in a soft blanket or put it into a sturdy, specialty moving box with foam inserts.
2. Mirrors and Glass
Placing a big “X” on mirrors and glass surfaces with sturdy masking tape can help prevent cracking or shattering during transit. Don’t forget to add a layer of bubble wrap before putting it in a moving box for added protection.
3. Rugs & Carpets
For ease of transportation, roll your rugs and carpets, secure with plastic ties and cover with plastic wrap. Not only will this make them easier to move, but add protection for the trip.
4. Furniture
Remove any external pieces from the furniture (like covers, sushions, legs and armrests) and safely place them in a box or moving bag. Then plastic wrap the upholstery to protect it from dirt, moisture, dust and scratches.
Kitchen Tips
1. Large & Small Appliances
Make sure all appliances have been cleaned and dried before packing. Remove any detachable parts and wrap separately. Then pack the appliances in their original boxes (or appropriately-sized boxes if not available). Fill any gaps in the boxes with towels or packing paper to prevent movement during transit.
2. Dishes
Wrap each of your plates and bowls individually to prevent them knocking into each other and cracking during the move. Then place all of the wrapped crockery into a cushioned box with plenty of packing paper plugging any gaps.
3. Glasses, Mugs & Cups
Stuff your glasses, mugs and cups with paper or packaging materials to fortify them. Then individually wrap them and carefully pack them in a moving box upside down to prevent cracking.
4. Food
Moving food with you is not advisable. We recommend not shopping for food in the week before you move in order to finish off everything from your cupboard and fridge. Any unwanted non-perishables can be donated.
Bedroom Tips
1. Mattresses & Bed Frames
Pack pillows, bed covers, blankets and sheets in a large separate moving box. Pack the mattress into a specialty mattress bag. Disassemble the bed frame as much as possible and place any small important pieces in a sealable bag.
2. Drawers & Wardrobes
Empty all draws and wardrobes and pack items in a separate moving box. Secure the door shut so they won’t open during transit. If the wardrobe is too large to move, disassemble as much as possible and keep any small pieces in a zip lock bag.
3. Clothes
Clean and dry your clothes before packing. Fold, or roll your clothes depending on your preferred method. Wrap any delicate or expensive items in an extra layer of packing paper for protection before packing everything in moving boxes.
4. Jewellery & Accessories
Pack all jewellery and accessories in jewellery boxes with extra padding outside for added protection.
Bathroom Tips
1. Toiletries & Medicine
Ensure you have thrown out any expired or unused items before packing all of your toiletries into a padded bag that you keep accessible in case of urgent need.
2. Makeup
Any hollow items such as eye shadow palettes should be stuffed with cotton buds or other alternatives to prevent cracking during transit. Wrap any important or expensive items in plastic wrap and packing paper.
3. Towels
Fold and store your clean, dry towels in a moving box as with your clothing and bedding supplies. Try placing a dry bar of soap in the folds of your towel to give it a fresh scent for your first shower in your new home.
4. Electrical Hair Appliances
Wrap the wires around the appliances and then pack gently into a moving box, with the heavier appliances at the bottom. Stuff with packing paper to prevent any dislodging during the move.
Need a Hand?
Moving to a new home, packing and unpacking, making sure everything is secure and the house is clean is a lot to handle on your own. When you need some extra support Allied is here to help, we have services to help with packing, unpacking and even cleaning and storage options. Let Allied carry the load for your next move, contact us for a quote.