If you’ve ever moved houses in the past, you know that the process is difficult and incredibly stressful for everyone involved. Even if you haven’t moved before, you probably know someone who has, and they are unlikely to look back with fond memories. If you’re planning on moving in the future, it would be wise to prepare so that the experience isn’t as stressful as it could be. We’ve put together several easy DIY moving tips that will help ease the process for you.
Image: Transport Executive
Make a plan
Waiting for the last day to start packing is a really bad idea. Even though it might sound crazy at first, but the sooner you start packing, the less stress you’ll have to deal with, so feel free to start preparing weeks in advance. Make a plan and try to determine just how much time you’re going to need if you’re trying to stay comfortable and not be in a hurry. This also means that you should spend some time working out your budget because moving always costs money, and if you start making arrangements weeks in advance, you might even be able to save some money.
Get plenty of supplies
The basic things you’ll need are boxes, packing tape, newspaper, and markers, but bubble wrap might be a good idea too if you have fragile pieces. You might even find boxes that are made specifically for moving as these are sturdier and more durable. Labels that say “fragile” and “this way up” are also a good idea, but you can easily print these on your computer.
Prepare for bulkier things
First, you have to make sure that everything is wrapped and protected well so that it doesn’t break or get damaged in transport. Next, you need to find a safe way to move these things to your new place. When you have to move things in bulk, or when you have some things you’re particularly worried about, remember that ute hire is great for moving large items. They are very economical and convenient if you have a significant load to transport. This way, you can bring only a couple of boxes that contain the essentials with you in your car, and you can rest assured that your bulky things will arrive safely.
Label everything
As if putting all of your possessions in boxes and moving them to a new place safely wasn’t difficult enough, you should really make an effort and label every single box you pack. Yes, this might seem like a headache at first, but this way, you will not feel lost afterward, and you will be able to put every box in its own room the moment you take it out of the truck or van. You can color-code it too or you can print labels and glue them to the boxes, but the idea is the same: know which box contains which items so you don’t have to open a dozen random ones when you’re looking for your kitchen utensils.
Pack a box of essentials
Of course, you want everything to be sorted and organized well, but you should also set aside a single box with essentials you’re going to need immediately. That box should contain clean towels and some toiletries for your first night there, a few cups and plates for your first meals, toilet paper, and paper towels, snacks and coffee, a flashlight, some basic tools, and trash bags. Having these things at hand will make your first night and first several first days in your new home much easier because you won’t have to unpack everything to find the things you desperately need. Just remember that this box should be the last one to be put in the van last and the first one to be taken out.
It’s great when you have people you can count on to come and help you when it’s time to move, but you don’t want to put everything on their back. With these easy DIY tips, you can do practically everything on your own and call for help only when it’s an emergency. When you take things slow and don’t leave everything for the last minute, you can be sure that your stress levels will be low and that this moving experience doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
