PLANNING YOUR MOVE - 2 MONTHS BEFORE
It is never to early to start planning your move. It might seem like a long time before you move but time flies very quickly and before you know it, you have to move in and suddenly you have a mad rush.
Working through our guide step by step will ensure that a little bit of planning makes themoving day a lot easier..
TWO
MONTHS
BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- Open a moving file. Keep all of your paperwork concerning the move in this one file, so nothing is lost or misplaced.
- Interview movers and get quotes if you are planning on using a professional mover. Check whether they have insurance to cover your goods. You can choose to have your movers pack everything, have them pack just the breakables or you can go ahead and pack it all yourself. Regardless of the packing responsibilities, it's a good idea to obtain estimates from several different moving companies and ask for complete references.
- Remember that if you are getting your moving quote online or telephonically to be as detailed as possible. If your goods for instance, have to be carried long distances to the truck, many movers will use a shuttle vehicle and charge you extra. If you were quoted from your inventory and have additional items, a surcharge will be raised for extras. Make sure therefore that your inventory list is accurate when submitting for a quote
- If you need a rental truck for a "do-it-yourself-move," contact a rental company and get preliminary information.
- Begin collecting boxes if you are not using professional movers to pack as well as old newspapers for wrapping breakables.
- Visually prepare or design a floor plan for your furniture in your new home.
- Create a list for inventory of your belongings. This is helpful in the event of an insurance claim or if you will be having a garage or moving sale.
- Advise your children’s school of the pending move if they will be changing schools, so that record can be transferred. It is a good idea to let their teachers know anyway so they are aware the upheaval in their lives.
- If time and geographic location permits, prepare your new home for arrival. (New paint, new locks, etc.) The more of this that is done prior to moving in the better. Please remember that until transfer actually takes place, something could cause the sale to fall through and you will lose the money spent on the new home. If however, you have the chance to work without the obstructions of furniture, you'll find that you can get twice the work done in half the time.
- Investigate pet movers if you intend using them. As with any step along the way of moving, get quotes in writing and make sure the quotes include any promises that make.
- If you rent your present home, give necessary written notice to your landlord and make arrangements for the return of any money you have on deposit. Arrange for an inspection as soon as possible so you are aware of what the landlord is expecting to be repaired
- Begin repairs to current home that were part of agreement of sale or will be expected by your current landlord
SIX
WEEKS
BEFORE
- Finalize your decision on a professional mover and make a booking. Make sure they confirm in writing.
- If moving yourself, book the truck and confirm with friends and family who will be helping.
- Begin packing non essential items such as ornaments and clothes that you definitely will not be wearing
- Open an important documents file. Put all important documents in this file such as ID books etc so that they are always close to hand.
- Consider your children in the move. Plan ahead and look at our Moving with Children Guide
- Sort your belongings. Don't take it all. You've probably noticed that your possessions have a mysterious ability to expand in order to fill any space available for their storage. Guess what: If you're moving into a larger home, you'll be gathering more stuff. Before you pack it all into boxes and cart it to a new location, take a good look at everything and find out what you can live without. This is a great time to have a garage sale and/or hand the goods over to a needy charity.
- Look at travel arrangements where you would need an airline, train, hotel, bus or car rental.
- Even if you are looking at travelling in your own transport, begin to plan the trip. The wife might well be expecting the family to stop over at her mother’s on the way for a visit – avoid unnecessary arguments by discussing it ahead of time.
- Research the area in which you will be moving for clubs, civic organizations and churches, so that you can change your membership. Your agent could provide a lot of help in this regard.
- Decide what to do with your pot plants. These are almost always transported at owner’s risk. Perhaps you rather want to hire a trailer and do it yourself. Or even give them as gifts to friends.
Jump to the point of importance to you ;
Two months to six weeks before your move
One Month before
Two Weeks to One Week before you move
On Moving Day And After Moving
Some Packing Tips
Advice on Moving with Children
Back the Resources Advice on Moving
Back the Resources Advice Centre
Read some of our Client Testimonials
Ready to Sell? Why not List Your Property with us
Back the Resources Advice Centre
Read some of our Client Testimonials
Ready to Sell? Why not List Your Property with us
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