21/10/2014
Moving Tips
You should begin packing and planning your move a month or more before your move. Sort items to be moved and which will be left behind, sold or thrown away. Begin by clearing all items to be sold or disposed off. This will allow you to see exactly what remains to be moved. You can now estimate the quantity of packaging materials required i.e. boxes, cushioning, tape, markers etc. List an inventory of items to be moved by room. This will be for your own record, obtaining quotes from the removal company and for insurance purposes. For DIY movers, this will also assist in determining what type and size of vehicle will be required. Obtain at least 3 quotes from movers and make your booking early. Movers are normally fully booked long in advance for month end moves.
Removal companies charge extra for packing and although hard work, costs can be reduced substantially if you do it yourself. Removal companies will also not mark and colour code your boxes with much enthusiasm. DIY packing requires reviewing your inventory list and estimating your packaging material needs. Once you have all your boxes and packaging materials it’s best to pack room by room, detailing both the contents of the box and location clearly on the outside i.e. “Tools/Garage”. Once packed all boxes in the room/office are then colour coded with self adhesive colour labels. At your new house/office the same colour label is stuck to the doorframe of the room/office and movers then know exactly which boxes go where. You can also use the colour coded labels to direct movers to the correct room/office from your front door or office reception area, by leaving a trail of colour coded labels. When you start unpacking it will now be much easier as the correct boxes will be in the correct locations. Unpacking can now also be prioritized as all the boxes have their contents listed on the outside and urgently required items can be unpacked first.
Other Tips:
* Moving Pot Plants: Drain all excess water from the pot, line a suitable sized box with a plastic sheet or bin liner and place the pot plant inside. Provided there is sufficient space and depending on weight (taking the soil into account), you can place more than one plant in the box by ensuring you keep the pots apart using suitable cushioning material. Do not close the box so that the movers can see there are plants inside and will treat with care and avoid stacking.
* Do not use newspaper when packing glassware, and crockery as the ink rubs off and items will have to be re-washed.
* Purchase the right box for the job, smaller boxes are better for crockery and books. And the bigger boxes for Tupperware, linen and curtains.
* Pack dishes on their sides, as they are much stronger this way and tend to break less.
* Pack books flat to protect the spines.
* Ensure that all bottles containing liquids are closed properly.
* Pack a kettle, crockery, cutlery, kitchen utensils, tea and coffee into a separate box for easy access at your new home/office. A few beverages in a cooler box might also be a good idea for use after a long hard day of moving and odds are good that the fridge might not be cold yet in your new home or office.
* Start packing a room at a time at least a month before your move, you will be surprised at how much you have to pack and how long it takes.
Good luck !
