20 Tips to Make Moving Easier

The height of spring is one of the best times to relocate. If you too are about to relocate but feel unprepared and find the process chaotic and time-consuming, then the following lines will surely be helpful. We'll offer you as many as 20 tips to make your move easier, addressing aspects ranging from preparing in advance, packing, and transporting your belongings, to hiring professionals and moving abroad.

Tips to make moving easier in terms of initial preparation

Choose the right services

Choosing the right services is key when it comes to facilitating relocation. In fact, there are a multitude of options to take advantage of: storage space rental, packing and unpacking services, shared services (such as transport van rental for example), bringing in specific loads from outside the home, and more. In this respect, it is advisable to define your needs at the outset of your move. This will help you determine the budget required for the relocation, explore alternatives for hiring a moving company, and determine the time required for the actual relocation.

Stick to deadlines (relocation plan)

Among our 20 tips for making moving easier is creating a timeline. While stressful, deadlines will allow you to optimise your relocation by completing individual tasks in stages. As a starting date, you can use the indicative period (a few days or a week) in which you would like to move. Start planning by identifying a few key tasks, including:

• Hire a professional moving company
• Administrative tasks: change of address registration, dissolving your current tenancy agreement and signing a new one, insuring your belongings and your new home, etc.
• Packing
• Cleaning
• Vacating the apartment
• Preparing the new accommodation
• Buying new furniture (if necessary)
• Unpacking and decorating

Defining the main tasks will also help you define subtasks. When you're done with the final list, you'll also be able to set deadlines for preparing and purchasing everything you need. We encourage you to plan with a few extra days in mind to complete the main activities.

Make a moving-day supply kit

A moving-day kit includes important items that are good to have on hand. This will not only avoid wandering and extra stress but also save time. Among the keys to easy relocation are:

• Rubber bands: They serve to secure items of various kinds, such as boxes, appliances, etc. They can also be used when using moving blankets.
• Duct tape and mock knife: Useful in connection with quick packing and unpacking.
• Packing bags: Useful for packing small items, clothes, food, pet accessories, etc.
• Cleaning spray and paper: With their help, you will be sure to leave your old home in excellent condition. You could also use them to clean children's toys, appliances, etc.
• Garbage bags: Before and on the day of relocation, you may have to say goodbye to a lot of your current belongings, including old clothes and toys, furniture, etc. In this case, garbage bags will come in handy, and the move will be significantly easier because you won't be transporting items you no longer use.

Book early

Booking a vehicle, storage space, movers, etc. early will allow you to be flexible when it comes to preparing your belongings and finalizing administrative details, especially important when moving with the whole family.

Tips to facilitate relocation when it comes to packing

Packing is an important aspect that you should not neglect when planning a home change. It is often among the most time-consuming activities that can create chaos and tension. Here are our tips on how to overcome such challenges:

Pack as far ahead as you can

Among the 20 tips to make moving easier is to pack early. Depending on whether you're packing alone or with helpers, the process can start several weeks to days before the actual relocation. In this regard, to avoid the most common packing mistakes, it is also advisable to keep in mind the specifics of preparing different types of items: toys, books, clothes, and appliances.

Choose the right packaging materials

The right packaging and materials will reduce the risk of potential damage to your belongings. There are many useful packing products available now, including moving blankets, packing paper, packing foam, and packing cushions. Make sure you use small or medium-sized boxes that are not too heavy to carry and do not impair the carriers’ visibility, secure empty spaces in the box with paper or bubble wrap and even wrap fragile items with protective material. When sealing boxes, rely on multiple wraps (especially on the underside). Place heavy and bulky items on the bottom of the carton and lighter items on top. When packing clothes, you can use packing cubes to optimise the available space. We recommend carrying expensive items such as appliances in their original boxes, securing them with Styrofoam or Styrofoam cubes.

Essentials box

This is a box containing the most important items to have on hand when you're moving, without having to unpack stacks of boxes. Don't underestimate its importance and put things like:

• Toiletries
• Documents
• Medicines
• Pair of spare clothes
• Cutlery
• Towels
• Baby supplies
• Pet products
• Charger
• Reading glasses

Label your boxes

Hustle and bustle are one of the most common associations of relocation. Among our 20 tips on how to make relocating easier falls the seemingly simple but extremely useful rule of signing your boxes. That way you'll get your bearings quickly when unpacking, and you'll be aware if any of the boxes you originally prepared are missing. You can even make a list of the exact number and contents of the boxes.

Advice to make moving easier in terms of moving your belongings

Invest in equipment: Reliable equipment is a must for movers without specialized help. This includes items such as appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes, equipment to carry heavy items (moving straps, trolleys to transport furniture, furniture sliders, gloves, tools to disassemble furniture, etc.) Don't have it all? Instead of buying the listed equipment, you can look for alternatives to rent the relevant equipment.

Secure your belongings

As mentioned earlier, securing your belongings starts with packing them properly. Be careful when carrying them as well. Make sure you hold boxes steady and distribute the weight of bulkier boxes between two people (carriers). If you use trolleys to transport furniture and appliances, secure the load with ropes.

Make sure you have someone to rely on

Don't take on the burden of moving your belongings yourself. Involve professionals, friends, or even your neighbours. For one thing, doing so will not only optimize the time you have, but also avoid injuries. On the other hand, you will ensure that your belongings are sturdy and there are no unwanted scratches on the flooring and walls.

Move bulky items first

Make sure you bring bulky items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses into your new home first. This way, it would be easier to determine the location of other items, such as decorations, lamps, wall units, etc. It is advisable to consider the layout of the home before the actual move-in.