Moving house is stressful, whether you are moving alone or have a family with small children to contend with. In fact, this activity is commonly ranked up there with divorce and changing jobs as one of the most stressful of modern life experiences. Be this as it may, there are some things that it can be useful to know when moving, and here are a few tips which will come in handy on the day.
Organisation is Vitally Important
Even if you're not an organised person, you need to make a concerted effort to become one in time for your moving day! Organisation is absolutely crucial when moving house, and the whole process should be approached like a military operation. For the day itself, sweet talk, bribe and cajole as many friends and family members into helping you make a smooth move. Make lists, pack bags and boxes in logical order and ensure that everyone is on the same page. By making a list of the things you will need to purchase before your move (such as packing tape, bubble wrap, boxes, marker pens and so forth) you won't suddenly realise that you don't have everything you need. Set your army of helpers specific tasks so you're not all tripping over each other - so that some people are working on packing, others on cleaning, others on ferrying over the items inevitably missed by the removal men - and so on.
If you're moving with children, it helps to pack a bag or two for them with the things they will need for the next 24 hours. This could include things such as games, books, toiletries, juice boxes and snacks, and ensures that you won't be left scrambling through half emptied boxes to find things for the little ones. Even better, see if you can leave children and pets with grandparents or friends until you've got the bulk of your moving done. It will be one less thing on your plate to worry about on the day and will avoid the smaller members of your family becoming the butt of your stress and frustration.
Inspect your New Property
If you're moving into a rented apartment or house, it's vitally important that you inspect the whole property and check that everything is in working order as soon as possible after you move in. Most leases will have a clause which states that the new tenants have a certain number of days to check fixtures and fittings, after which time they are liable for any damage. For example, make sure that your oven and central heating are working - if not you'll need to report this to the letting agents or landlord directly. Failure to do so could mean that the cost of fixing this will be taken out of your deposit. It is your responsibility to carry out thorough checks of your new home. If you're not provided with an inventory and check-in report, it's good practice to go around taking photographic or video evidence of the condition of the property on your move-in day, as this will allow you to keep a record of things like marks on the walls or carpets which are already present.
Greet your Neighbours
In today's busy modern society, research shows that more than half of the UK's population don't even know who is living next door to them. Start as you mean to go on when you move into your new home, and head next door to say hi to your new neighbours! If you're really lucky, you might find that you have neighbours who come to welcome you to the neighbourhood and bring you a small housewarming gift. By staying friendly with your neighbours, you're creating a community atmosphere that will make your new house feel like home that much more quickly.
There are so many things to think about when moving house that it can be hard to know where to start. Keep a smile on your face and follow the above tips to ensure that life in your new home gets off to the best possible start.
Written by Prolink, a storage and removal company based in Galway, Ireland.
