Always pack in advance
There’s nothing worse than being unorganised. Pack all the main things a few days – or weeks – before so you can concentrate on all the little things on the day. Doing everything gradually building up to the final move will save you time and energy.
Prepare a moving day kit
Keep one box aside for “essentials” that you’ll need on the moving day: cleaning supplies, light bulbs, toilet paper, garbage bags, a change of clothes, your toiletry bag, etc.
Hook up essential services
Make sure you understand how utility bills (refuse, water and electricity) will be transferred over to you from a previous owner. Also, arrange to have your phone line, cable and internet hooked up at your new residence.
Ask your moving company about special crating for expensive art
Never wrap oil paintings in regular paper; it will stick. For pictures framed behind glass, make an X with masking tape across the glass to strengthen it and to hold it together if it shatters. Then wrap the pictures in paper or bubble wrap and put them in a frame box, with a piece of cardboard between each framed piece for protection.
Seize the opportunity to purge
Moving is a great opportunity to organise your belongings and get rid of items you no longer use. Take the time to sort and donate clothing, put furniture up for sale on a second hand website, recycle old magazines and catalogues and shred old documents.
Keep your movers in the loop
Boxes are one thing, but when you get to the big, heavy stuff, it’s important to let your movers know what to expect. Communicate with your moving company and explain all the requirements and expectations prior to booking. Your moving company has to be aware of all those minor details in order to estimate your total move time and cost, and have proper equipment available. That includes informing the company about any overweight items (i.e. a piano or fridge), access restrictions (small elevator, walk-up only, narrow driveway) and whether you’ll need help with disassembly or assembly of furniture.
