This is a MUST-READ for those who are packing and moving house. All tips are tried, tested and improved from our personal experience:
Family of six, aged five to 72, started our move at 8.30am with the help of movers.
With time for brunch, we were at our new place by 1.30pm and 70 boxes all delivered.
At 6pm, the kitchen was unpacked and home-cooked dinner was served.
In two days' time, all boxes were unpacked.
Want to replicate our success, read on!
TIP 1: START PACKING EARLY FOR EASY HOUSE-MOVING
Unless you are moving into a bigger space with ample of space and storage, always start packing early. This is because you will have to throw out or donate away items.
The packing process is very quick - throw the item into the box and seal. The time-consuming part is sorting which items to bring over, which items to discard and deciding what to do with the other usable items. Starting early gives you time to donate these usable items or sell these preloved items on Carousell.
TIP 2: PACK ACCORDING TO HOW YOU WOULD UNPACK
Don't just throw your stuff into any box in sight. Always think about the configuration of the cupboards and drawers at the new place.
While you are tempted to cushion your crystal vases with the bath towels, don't do that. Pack as if you are going to unpack. If the crystal vases are going to be at the hall display, wrap your crystal vases in bubble wrap and pack them in the boxes for the hall area. The bath towels could be put into a huge zipper bag and place inside the boxes for the bathrooms.
TIP: For fragile items like crockery and glass items, don't pack these boxes to the brim. Any pressure exerted on the boxes may cause these items to shatter. Instead, pack it up to 70% and fill up the void with crushed newspaper or foam bits so that there is no direct pressure on the items.
TIP 3: BUY MOVING TOOLS
The DIY shop is going to be your best friend. Look out for these tools - the masking tape sealing packer. It is a breeze to use when you are sealing your boxes. No need to get the tape twisted while cutting it with a scissors.
The other tool which we loved was the stretch film handle roll. It works like an easy-to-use cling wrap and it is awesome for bundling things together and/or sealing bubble wraps. Once you start using it, the possibilities are endless. We were securing lids with pots, wrapping all the spoons together, sealing opened bottles of sauces to prevent spillage etc.
TIP 4: LABEL YOUR BOXES BY AREA
Go to your nearest DIY shop and buy a couple of coloured masking tapes in different colours. Assign each room with a colour and use the tape to tag all four sides of your boxes. For example, yellow tape for master room, white for living area, green for kitchen and so forth.
On the actual moving day, write the colour at the entrance of each area. After a while, the movers will get the idea and know where to place the boxes in the respective areas. And this makes unpacking a breeze because the boxes are already placed at the right where you need them, and all ready for immediate unpacking.
TIP: Label the boxes so that you know what items it holds. Psst, if it contains valuables like your prized Hermes, write a code word e.g. soft toys.
TIP: Don't place boxes into small rooms. We had five boxes for the storeroom. If all were to be placed inside, there would be no space for unpacking, so the boxes for the storeroom were placed in the neighbouring room instead.
TIP 5: THINK ABOUT YOUR PATHWAY OF YOUR BOXES
Don't be too anxious to arrange the delivery of your bulky furniture based on your availability. Think about how the movers would be shifting the furniture and boxes into your rooms.
This is our floor plan. In our case, the dining area would be a high traffic area for the movers. As such, we arranged for the bulky furniture of the bedrooms and sofa to be delivered before the moving day. The table, chairs and display shelf at dining area were delivered only after the moving day to allow ample space for the movers to bring the boxes to the bedrooms.
TIP 6: GET A RELIABLE MOVER
We called a few movers and some quoted us 30 boxes based on the size of our home. Eventually, the mover that we hired was the one who made the effort to come for a site visit to assess our needs. True to his estimation, we needed up to 70 boxes and a corresponding large-sized lorry. His package also included newsprint brown paper to wrap crockery, bubble wraps, new boxes etc.
One of the perks - they would transfer all ironed clothes on hangers from your cupboard onto a clothes rack. A bag was put over them to keep it clean. Once we were at the new place, these clothes were hung directly into the new cupboards. As our family has four working adults, this was a lifesaver. There was no need to pack our clothes into the boxes and re-iron them. In fact, we hung some everyday clothes and pyjamas so that we had no problem finding these clothes when we are at the new place.
TIP: Check with your movers about items that are already in plastic containers, such as the Toyogo containers, or Muji storage drawers. In our case, we didn't need to unpack its contents as the movers would cling wrap the entire item though you do risk that these plastic containers may be damaged during the move.
TIP: Check with your movers on the number of trips needed. In our case, we had two lorries - one to bring all items to the new home, one to dispose items. This means that once we left the place, there was no need to go back again. It saved us a lot of time and we could start unpacking immediately.
With these tips, you should be set for a smooth and easy house-moving! Always ask how many movers would be allocated for your move. Surprise your movers with chilled 1.5l bottled water or isotonic drinks. This is a small gesture but it goes a long way for your movers.
Email me if you have any queries about moving your home! I will be happy to help, and add on more FAQs for this post!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pris Low has close to 20 years experience in the non-profit sector - representing consumers in their conflicts with retailers and advocating for the less privileged in our community.
Her social service background has helped her to be sensitive and attentive to her clients' needs and feelings so that she can prepare them, both financially and emotionally, to welcome their new homes.
She has thrived because she doesn't tell her clients what to do. She hears their needs and explains the options to them. She respects every choice made by her clients because she feels that there is no wrong decision as long as it meets their needs and they are aware of the possible pitfalls and prepare for it.