The right moves

Unpack the stress out of moving

When it comes to life stresses, selling your home is often spoken about as one of the top psychological things you can experience and yet the physical challenges such as packing are often underestimated, with smart planning and a can-do attitude, moving house needn’t be a big drama.

The following are our top tips on how to pack, move and unpack without the stress!

Compile important documents

Before you start with the big cleanup that goes hand-in-hand with moving, compile all of your important documents. The last thing you need is everything to be scattered in different boxes or, for important items to go missing. Create a folder with all the original documents and scan them onto your computer. Also consider making another physical copy of all the documents, including:

• School records
• Medical records and prescriptions
• Driver’s license
• Passports
• Bank statements
• Receipts of new appliances that are still under warranty
• Hire purchase agreements
• Lease agreements for the old and new homes
• Any important communications
• Documents and receipts relating to moving house

Finally put all important documents, jewellery and valuable items together. Consider keeping these items in safe storage of your choice until after the move. Also, consider arranging special insurance for these items, if you don’t put them in storage.

The best boxes to use

Start collecting packing materials. Instead of buying expensive boxes, visit your local stores. Most supermarkets, local Bunnings and department stores are happy to get rid of boxes.

Don’t forget to buy tape, markers, labels or coloured stickers to organise your boxes.

De-cluttering and packing

By now, your move is becoming real and you may be getting anxious. Don’t worry, this is your mind getting you motivated – rolling up your sleeves and getting started will alleviate those feelings.

Start with the room you use least often – this will give you a sense of achievement and will remind you visually of your time-frame.

Create three piles.

1. ‘For Sale’
2. ‘Donations’
3. ‘Throw away’

Then, sort any possessions you no longer want into each pile.

Begin packing, clearly label all boxes with their full contents and the name of the room they are for.

‘A personal hack – arrange all the items before packing them into a box, then take a photo and attach that photo to the box’

Pack by weight

Grouping heavier items together can help you decide when help is needed and make that help far more efficient when it arrives

Grocery shopping

From here on in, just buy the items you need. Avoid bulk buying and treat yourself with some takeaway – it makes it more fun and will lighten the load.

If packing seems all too daunting of a task did you know you can outsource it? There are many removalist companies that can assist you with packing!

3 weeks from the move

1. Organise new home and contents insurance
2. Organise storage for items you want to keep but don’t need at your new home
3. Locate your spare keys in preparation for handover
4. Request moving quotes

Expert tip – don’t compromise on insurance. Most removalists include insurance in their quotes but make sure that it is sufficient to cover your goods

Final house cleaning checklist

These final two weeks before move day can be busy. So it makes sense to invest in a professional cleaning service to take care of the dirty work.

Moving with a pet?

Make sure you check out Team Bloom’s article for tips when moving with a pet.