Moving house can be a stressful time. There’s a lot to coordinate and get done, while you somehow try to balance all of life’s usual demands. It can often result in a few minor meltdowns and a few much-needed glasses of wine! But it can also be an exciting time – as you’re either moving to a better rental, you’ve just purchased your first family home or you’re downsizing after the kids have all shipped out.
In and amongst the jumble and confusion of moving, unpacking can be a nightmare. Especially if you’ve packed in a hurry and your entire life’s possessions are sitting in the bottom of a box or trunk. Let’s take a moment and talk about how to prepare for packing to avoid the post-move blues.
Book professional removalists
Booking professional removalists in Melbourne is the best place to start when preparing for the big move. It can be tempting to save a few dollars by getting some randoms on Gumtree or Facebook to do the move for you – but you run the disk of these dodgy operators damaging your furniture or goods and quite often they don’t have insurance in case of catastrophe. So, spend a bit more and hire a reputable moving company to do the heavy lifting for you.
Pack smart, not quickly
The majority of post-move confusion comes when you’ve just chucked everything into boxes, at random, without any thought to the impending unpack. Mitigate this risk by packing smart. Pack each room at a time, in the order that you’ll need to unpack it. Clearly label the boxes with the name of the room so you’re not left scratching your head in puzzlement when you get to the new place.
Obviously, ensure that you pack appropriately too. Your valuables, easily-damaged items and plates and glasses are going to need some padding. A good idea is to wrap them thoroughly in newspaper, and then in bubble wrap. You should avoid heartbreak and shattered china this way.
A word about food
Even though you’ll be running around like mad, with no time to think – you’re still going to need to eat. For the first night in your new place, it’s perfectly acceptable to order in some pizza or other quick and easy food. You’ll be exhausted and it’ll be a nice treat for everyone. For the next few days, while you unpack, head to the local shops and grab some frozen or refrigerated meals which you can zap in the microwave for a quick and easy hot meal. Don’t feel bad, there’ll be plenty of time for cooking in your new kitchen once the dust has settled.
The linen!
A common mistake made by novice movers is forgetting where you packed the linen! This is annoying, as you’ll really need a good rest after the move. Instead of packing the sheets, pillow cases and doona in the moving truck, pop them in a suitcase or box and put it in your car. This way, you know exactly where it is and you can make your bed for the first night in your new pad.
Good luck!
You’ll need it – moving is a big task. Just remember to use professional removalists to avoid a headache. Pack smart instead of quick and unpacking will be breeze. Be prepared to subsist on takeout and heatable meals for a few days, and don’t forget to pack the linen in a place you can get to it easily. Now get ready for the big day, and tell yourself that it will all be worth it in the end!
