Knowing how to organise moving house isn’t a skill everyone possesses. People who have moved many times can still find it demanding and difficult. This is because moving isn’t simply a matter of packing boxes and transporting them to another location. Every move has its unique set of challenges and tasks, and in many cases, details can slip through the cracks.
This is why most people use professional movers instead of taking on the entire task themselves. Professional movers can take as much or as little of the work off your hands depending on your time, budget and organisational skills. If you find yourself having to organise your move, here are a few tips to make the task easier.
1. Create a timeline
From the moment you know your moving day, you’ll need to establish a timeline of key dates. Ideally, having approximately six weeks to organise your move is best, as it gives you some breathing room if anything doesn’t go to plan. This timeline will become your master to-do list and help to keep you on track.
Refer to our moving planner for a detailed timeline of tasks which need to be completed as part of your move.
2. Key tasks to do immediately
- Book your moving company
- Book storage if you need it
- Anything else that requires giving notice
- Get your packing materials
3. To-do lists
Your to-do list is your most powerful tool when moving house. They keep your progress on track, and in many cases they help to reduce the stress of moving, because you can see progress every time you tick a task off the list.
You can create to-do lists however they work for you best. Some people like one big list with everything on it. Others like to create smaller to-do lists, breaking down each section of the job. Work with whatever type of list you prefer.
4. Spread the load
Moving is a task for everyone in the family. Make sure everyone knows they need to play their part to make the move a success. At the least, each person should take responsibility for packing up their own bedroom. If everyone gets involved, you’ll make progress faster.
5. Expect the unexpected
The one thing you can expect when moving house is that something unexpected will pop up. The best way to anticipate and manage these incidents is to stick to your plan. As soon as you fall behind, it creates the domino effect, where you’ll be rushing to get everything done on time. Keeping to your deadlines will also help to reduce stress.
6. Rewards
The moving process doesn’t need to be a grind. As you complete significant goals, reward everyone in the family. Take a night off cooking and go out for dinner or anything else the family enjoys doing together. Rewards keep people feeling enthusiastic and focused, and that is the best mindset for the challenging task of moving house.
If you need any more help with organising your move, give us a call.