• Plan well in advance of your move date: Make it your number one priority to be well organised.
• Make it fun: Involve all your family members in the move - everyone should have a part to play and something they can help with.
• Pack smart: Clearly organise and label your boxes. Ensure that all your belongings are packed in advance of your move date to prevent any last minute stressful situations.
• Priority pack: When you are packing, make sure that essential household items are easy to find and quick to unpack.
• Smart Storage: If you need to put items in storage, consider using a mobile self-storage service that comes to you, they can cut down your time by up to 75% over traditional self storage.

Child's play

How can I help the kids with the move?

It's a good idea to talk to your children about the move so they feel involved in what's going on. Think about giving them their own backpack and let them pack a few of their own things. This will make the move more interesting for them and create a sense of fun and excitement about the experience.

When it comes to removing larger items from your home, for safety reasons it is best if your children are not present.

If you hold a garage sale and your children help out with the sorting and organising, let them keep some of the money raised from the sales so they can feel a sense of personal reward.

What about the pets?

Pets can become distressed during a family move. Give them a familiar object from the house to take with them, perhaps a favourite chew toy or blanket. This will help them to feel a familial association with where they have moved.

When removing large items from your home it is best to restrain your pets so they don't get underfoot.

The big one

Moving house completely

If you are moving house completely into storage and not just storing clutter or surplus belongings, the following tips will be of use to you:

The day before the move:

Clean out the fridge and the freezer

Gather together your 'on the day' items that you need to keep out

Clean your house

Appoint one of your helpers to be in charge of the move at the old house while you take charge at the new one

Check all your boxes are clearly labelled, including the new home room destination noted

Ensure that all fragile items are well wrapped and marked with 'Fragile' stickers

The day of the move:

Take a final reading at the old house for gas, water and electricity and write it all down

Take an initial reading at the new house for gas, water and electricity

Try and get to the new house before the removal van or mobile storage trailer arrives so that you can unpack it as soon as it arrives

Take your pets to the new house last

Hand over the keys for your old house to the new owner or real estate agent

And you're done! You'll be moving like a pro in no time.

Written by Steve Phillips from Smartbox ltd.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.

Please login or register.