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| The Stress of Moving House |
The time has come for your big move. You have looked forward to it for ages but now that it has arrived you are stressed out. Looking around the house it seems like a daunting task. Just where do you start, so much to be packed. Moving is the biggest organised chaos operation you may ever have to oversee and is sure to send stress levels on the up.
Packing hundreds of items into boxes and transporting them half way across a city or town can cause even the most calm person to fray at the edges. Moving house has often being described as a very traumatic experience. So the best advice to minimise stress levels is to plan well in advance. The better you plan the move the better you tackle the whole affair positively.
First thing to do is to confirm the date of your move. Start planning around to get quotes and check availability with professional moving companies. Check out on site here our list of “removals and storage” experts. You’ll find there may be variations in rates and pick one that offers value for money. A simple phone call checking on rates and availability well in advance is a good idea. Don't leave such an option to the last minute. A lot of moving companies are well booked out and even though their rates might be the best, they just might not be able to do the move when you want it done. A phone call well in advance goes a long way.
Be realistic about the amount of furniture and stuff you have to move – don’t underestimate or understate the quantity of the load as you may get a shock on the day when a truck which is too small arrives and you are left sitting with boxes outside your old place of abode.
Room by room write up a checklist of all the items you will be moving.
The earlier you book the movers the better your chances of getting the day you want. When you have the date booked always check a week in advance to make sure they haven’t forgotten you and that the date is definitely booked properly.
At least a month before the scheduled moving date start packing non-essential items and start clearing out the rubbish that gathers on the top shelves of wardrobes and elsewhere.
Certain hardware stores sell bin-type containers with holes in them, a lid and an opening funnel which is used for burning waste rubbish and paper. Now is the time to invest in this item for if you have to bag all the rubbish that shall accumulate it shall cost you a pretty penny in waste disposal services. This item shall also be ideal for burning paper and cardboard after you unpack in your new home. But watch the local fire restrictions. If you are out in the country there may be no problem here.
In packing adopt a minimalist strategy and bin as much unnecessary clutter and old clothes as possible. You definitely don’t want your new home cluttered with junk from the old one.
It’s very important to use sturdy boxes – tea-chests and the likes are also ideal. Label all the boxes in large writing indicating in which room they will go in the new house. Make sure to label boxes with breakables ‘fragile’ clearly. Two weeks before the move have as much as is practicable packed away.
Make sure you have a separate box for all important documentation and things like your cheque-book that you might need in a hurry. Notify the utility and service companies – electricity, gas, cable and telephone and give them a date on which to conduct a final meter reading and supply cut-off date. Arrange to have the bills sent to your new address and let those who need to know, like your landlord and the local post-office, of your forthcoming move and change of address.
Take the opportunity to notify other service companies of your new address. Make arrangements to transfer your home insurance to your new address so that you are covered properly from day one. Ensure the moving company has adequate insurance to cover goods in transit from your old address to your new one. Double check this when booking.
If you have decided to have a truck and move yourself then try to enlist the help of friends or family. Leave your kids with a relative the day of the move. Help is most welcome as furniture can be awkward and heavy.
The day before the move empty out the fridge and freezer and defrost, giving it a good clean in the process. Clean the house thoroughly for the new occupants before packing up cleaning supplies. Otherwise engage to have professional cleaners to undertake this task. It would not be nice for them to walk into a house strewn with rubbish.
Do a final check of all rooms and garden and don’t forget the attic or the garage. Have an inventory of all boxes and their contents so you can double check as you are moving into your new home.
If you are moving during the school term and have children then transferring them can be a big consideration. If you move within commuting distance of their present school it may be less traumatic to leave them until the end of term, and allow them settle into their new area gradually.
Main Points to consider
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1…Confirm the date of moving and make the necessary moving arrangements. Start phoning around for quotes from various moving companies and book as early as possible. Remember that a lot of the companies are very busy and are well booked up. Check out here at Irish Property Market.com our list of “removal and storage”
professionals. They are all good at their job, they do it for a living.
2…Notify utilities companies of moving date and arrange for final meter readings and disconnection of services. Supply them with your new address for the forwarding of bills.
3…Transfer your home insurance so you are covered immediately in your new home.
4…Start packing away items you don’t need on a daily basis. Bin or burn items you no longer require.
5…Clearly label and itemise each box, stating also the room into which it must go. Make sure to write ‘fragile’ on the boxes which contain breakables.
6…Pack a box for the essential items for the day of the move – coffee, kettle, cups, spoons, sugar, paper plates, edibles like biscuits, towels, toiletries, first-aid supplies, mobile phone re-charger, bin bags, paper-towels, scissors and cutlery.
7…Empty, defrost and clean the fridge and freezer the day before the move.
8…Arrange with the neighbours for the bins to be brought out on the correct day.
9…Make sure the house is clean for the new owners.
10..Let the post office know of your new address.
11..Check that everything you intend taking with you has being packed away.
12..Ensure all windows are closed and doors are locked when leaving.
13..Make sure all light switches and electrical switches like the heating timer or immersion are off.
14..Visit the recycling bank with all the bottles, jars and recyclable material. You will be surprised how much there will be at the end of packing.
15..Have the alarm switched on when departing finally and give a quick call to the landlord letting him know that you have moved out.
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