How to prepare for a move?

Moving is often quite an emotional process! While for some buyers, it may mean letting go of many memories, for some it is an opportunity to create new ones. Whatever your reasons for moving, one fact is clear: a successful move requires a lot of planning. Here’s a list of the most important things you should consider to help ease the stress of this major step of your life.

1. Involve Your Whole Family

Leaving your home can sometimes be difficult. Before you start moving, it’s a good idea to discuss the situation openly with your spouse and to explain it to your children. No matter how old they are, children may feel anxious about this transition.

But what can you do to help them? Involve them as much as possible in each step of the move by talking about the positives of moving. A tip: show them the new house, or show them pictures of it, and go on a tour of your new neighbourhood with them. Also, by involving them in the decoration of their new room, you will enable them to have an impact on their new living environment and make them feel good about it.

2. Consider the Extent of the Items You Need to Move

You don’t need to move every single item you own, especially if you don’t use them anymore! Take this opportunity to sort through your belongings and only keep the essentials. As a bonus, this will allow you to assess how many items you will need to move.

When this is done, you can ask for realistic quotes from different moving companies. Don’t hesitate to compare the quotes you receive, as each company offers different services and rates. If possible, specify the distance that will need to be covered and ask about the type of material that will be provided: boxes, covers, packing material, blankets, dollies, straps, etc. In any case, book the truck or moving service as soon as possible, especially if you are moving in June or July. You should also ask about the warranty they offer against damage or loss in transit.

3. Evaluate the Costs of Moving

Besides the cost of renting a truck or hiring movers, a move involves other costs, such as

• Buying boxes and plastic bins to transport your items
• Renting a storage space
• Changing your address
• Mail forwarding
• The transfer of certain public services
• The connection to a telephone and Internet service
• Meal expenses on moving day

To keep costs down, try to find recycled boxes at businesses or consider using old newspapers to pack fragile items. This will save you some money.

4. Start the Packing Process

Start packing your belongings weeks or even months before you plan to move. Start with seasonal items and then focus on items that won’t be used for the short-term, such as decorations, books and special dinnerware. To make it easy to find your way around, remember to label the boxes as you go and sort them by the room they will be going in.

This is it, D-Day is here! To help make your life easier in the first few days after the move, gather all your essentials in a few clearly labelled boxes and keep them handy. All that will be left to do is to make your new home your own and create unforgettable moments with your loved ones!