Pretty sure anyone will agree with me that moving homes is the most stressful thing to go through. However, good planning and organising skills can do the trick – if you’re top-notch for this type of activity, relocation can be breezy. I’m not really an expert, but I’ve come up with these practical tips during my previous move. I hope it can help make your next move smooth and stress-free, too.
Before the Move
1: Start early
Look, I can’t stress this enough – you gotta kick things off at least eight weeks before moving day. This breathing room saved my sanity when unexpected stuff popped up, and trust me, something always does!
2: Create a moving budget
Moving costs sneaked up on me like nobody’s business the first time around. Sit down and map out everything from boxes to van rentals, because those “little extras” add up faster than you can say, “Where did all my money go?”
3: Declutter ruthlessly
I’m telling you, there’s no better time to be brutal about what you actually need. I was shocked by how much lighter I felt (both emotionally and literally) after ditching stuff I hadn’t touched in ages.
4: Research moving companies thoroughly
Don’t just go with the first company that pops up on your search – I learned this one the hard way! Check out what real people are saying in reviews, compare a few quotes, and make sure they’re legit before handing over your precious belongings.
5: Change your address early
I nearly missed some super important mail because I put this off until the last minute. Sort this out with the postal service, your bank, and subscription services at least two weeks ahead, and future-you will be sending present-you virtual high fives.
6: Create a moving folder
Keeping all my moving paperwork scattered around was a recipe for panic attacks at 2 AM. Chuck everything in one folder – quotes, receipts, checklists, contacts – and you’ll feel like you’ve actually got this under control, even when you don’t.
7: Schedule utility transfers
Nothing quite kills the excitement of a new place like having no electricity, internet, or worse – no water! Line up your disconnection and connection dates with your move to avoid that first-night horror story of showering at a gas station.
Packing Strategically
8: Gather quality supplies
Cheap boxes from behind the supermarket seemed like a genius money-saving hack until one collapsed with all my kitchen stuff inside. Invest in decent boxes, proper tape, and enough bubble wrap to satisfy your inner popping addiction – your grandmother’s china will thank you.
9: Pack room by room
Trying to pack multiple rooms at once nearly sent me into a full-blown meltdown halfway through. Tackle one area at a time and label everything obsessively, or you’ll end up with mystery boxes that remain unopened for years.
10: Pack a moving day essentials box
After 12 hours of moving, I once had to dig through 17 boxes just to find my toothbrush. Pack a separate box with immediate necessities like toiletries, phone chargers, and clean underwear – because nobody wants to meet their new neighbours while searching for deodorant.
11: Use what you have for padding
I blew way too much cash on bubble wrap before realising my towels, socks, and that questionable collection of free t-shirts work just as well. Wrap your breakables in soft clothes and you’re solving two packing problems at once – genius, right?
12: Take photos of electronic setups
The tangle of wires behind my TV and computer once reduced me to tears when setting up at my new place. Snap quick pics of how everything connects before unplugging, and future-you will want to travel back in time to give present-you a massive hug.
13: Consider hiring an unpacking service
After the exhaustion of moving day hit me, staring at mountains of boxes made me question all my life choices. Splurging on an unpacking service with Butler’s Removals for just the kitchen and bedroom was possibly the smartest decision I made, and suddenly, the new place actually felt livable.
Moving Day and Beyond
14: Prepare a moving day kit
I once spent an entire moving day starving because I forgot the basics, like water and snacks. Chuck some drinks, protein bars, pain relievers, and wet wipes in a separate bag that stays with you, not the movers – you’ll be thanking yourself when you’re sweaty and starving at hour five.
15: Keep children and pets comfortable
My cat had a complete meltdown during my last move and decided under the neighbour’s porch was his new forever home. If possible, ship the kids and fur babies off to a friend for the day or create a quiet space with familiar toys where they won’t be traumatised by the chaos.
16: Do a final walkthrough
I’m still kicking myself for leaving my favourite jacket in the back of a closet at my old place. Take one last sweep through every nook, cranny, and weird storage space before handing over those keys – ceiling corners and the gaps behind appliances are surprisingly good at hiding your stuff.
17: Clean before unpacking
The previous tenant of my last place apparently thought dust bunnies were acceptable decorative items. Take advantage of empty rooms to give everything a good scrub before your boxes block all the corners – starting with bathrooms and kitchen for, well, obvious reasons.
18: Unpack by priority
Three weeks after one move, I was still eating takeout with plastic forks while sleeping on a mattress surrounded by towers of boxes. Focus on making your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen functional first – having somewhere to sleep, shower, and make coffee will preserve what’s left of your sanity.
19: Allow yourself time to adjust
I put enormous pressure on myself to have picture-perfect rooms within 48 hours and ended up having a teary breakdown over curtain rods. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your new place won’t be either – focus on function over Instagram-worthy decor and cut yourself some slack.
20: Meet your neighbors
I spent six months avoiding eye contact in the hallway before discovering my neighbour had the best local restaurant recommendations ever. Brave up and introduce yourself early on – not only might you make actual friends, but they’ll be more sympathetic about your 2 AM furniture rearranging noises.
Did you like the tips above? That’s great news! You see, although relocating does sound very overwhelming, you can always seek the help of professionals. If you’re unsure about packing, unpacking and storage, give Butler’s Removals & Storage a call, and they’ll help you figure out the best move to your new home.
