Moving to a new house is not something we are likely to do very often, so unless you work for a removalist, you are unlikely to have much experience of house moves. This is often why people tell their experienced removalists that moving to a new house is one of the most stressful events they experience in their lives, but it need not be that way.
The reason for many of those moving to a new house experiencing what they describe is a disaster, is that they make several fundamental mistakes which, turns what should be an exciting experience, into a living nightmare. We have outlined 5 of those mistakes, in the hope that when it comes time for you to move to a new home, you do not make them.
Mistake #1: Not Hiring Professional Removalists
Trying to move house or home office, either by hiring a van to do it yourself, or worse, paying for a bunch of amateurs to do it, is one of the primary reasons that a house move can become a complete nightmare.
Always do your due diligence and hire a team of professional removalists who can help you at every stage of the process and will ensure that the day of your move goes exactly as planned.
Mistake #2: Not Asking For Help
As well as hiring professional removalists, you should also be thinking about who else that you know that can help. There are all sorts of ways that others such as family and friends can help with some examples being:
- Packing/Unpacking
- Looking After Children/Pets
- Lending You A Van/Car/Ute
- Arranging for Snacks and Drinks for Everyone
- Tradespeople: Residential Electricians/Plumbers/Joiners
- Legal/Accounting Advice
Mistake #3: No Plan Or Checklist
Trying to arrange a house move without having any kind of plan or checklist, is going to almost guarantee that it becomes a shambles and raises the possibility of you forgetting something which is vitally important.
You can record ideas or thoughts as they arise and then collate everything onto a master sheet beforehand. This should have a checklist to tick off each task as they are complete. You also want to have a list of all the important names and numbers you might need.
Mistake #4: Leaving Everything To The Last Minute
Following on from the mistake of not having a plan, this normally leads to people leaving everything to the last minute, especially the packing. It can come as a shock just how many belongings you and your family have, and if you leave packing until to the day or evening before you move, you are unlikely to have it completed in time.
This can lead to delays, additional removalist costs, and if items are not packed properly, the chances of them being damaged, or worse, going missing, are increased greatly.
Mistake #5: Not Having a ‘First Night’ Pack
One of the best pieces of advice we can give you with regards to a house move is to create a first night pack. Your first night in your new home can be hectic and there are likely to be lots of items that are still in boxes.
By creating a first night pack, you include any items you believe your family will need for that first evening. It can include snacks and drinks, toiletries and even have the children’s bedtime cuddly toys, so that the first night in a strange new home is not as stressful for them, or for you!
