So, that’s it! Your contract is up, or the ‘for sale’ sign is finally removed. Time to say goodbye to the home you’ve spent the last few years in and hello to a brave new world beyond the threshold of your front door. Whether you’re relocating, moving to a better place or simply choosing to rent elsewhere for financial reasons, the boxes need to come out and planning needs to start.
Daunting, right? Well, it doesn’t need to be. We’re here to hold your hand and walk you through the moving out process as seamlessly as possible. After all, we’ve all been there, and a little help can go a long way.
Preparation is Key
We cannot stress it enough: If you want to do something right, you need to plan for it. One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving out is not being prepared for it. And the best way to be prepared is to write everything down.
Grab a notebook or a binder, sit down with a hot cup of coffee and start mapping out what it is that you need to do and when. This process might seem moot at first, but trust us when we tell you that it will save you a lot of trouble when moving day finally comes.
Things you need to look out for include:
- Calculating moving costs: Hiring movers or renting a moving truck, cleaning services or material, travel costs, bills due at your old home and those due at your new one, storage units if you need them, etc.
- Making sure you change your address and provide a forwarding address.
- Planning for overlap time, especially if you have the luxury of getting your new home a few days before leaving your current one.
- Property inspection dates and pest-control inspections.
Review Your Contract
One of the most important things to do is review the paperwork. If you’ve just sold your house, remind yourself of what has been agreed upon beforehand. When do you need to leave? What condition should the house be in? Is there a scheduled inspection date that requires you to be there?
This goes double when you’re renting a place. You need to check when your notice should be delivered, and whether or not there are any specific clauses you need to be aware of. Of course, as a tenant, there will definitely be an inspection, so take the time to inspect the home yourself and make sure nothing is amiss.
Let the Boxes Hit the Floor
Packing can be a daunting ordeal, and we can go on and on about the best practices when it comes to boxing and unboxing your things. Needless to say, there are a few tips you should keep in mind that will make your moving process easier.
First and foremost, pack your boxes according to how you want to unpack them in your new home. Nothing about this should be random, and knowing where your things will end up in your new residence will make the moving process easier. Of course, label your boxes clearly, and make sure you write FRAGILE on the ones that actually have your breakables. If you want to save time, and have the luxury of doing so, move one room at a time. Leave the heavy stuff for the movers, and make sure you handle the valuables yourself. Another important thing to keep in mind is packing your essentials last. You won’t need your books on the first day, so pack them at the bottom of the box and put your plates and utensils at the top (the essentials).
A Clean Home is a Healthy Home
Whether it’s a contractual agreement before you leave or a must in your new home, a clean house is a happy house. Most landlords will have that stipulated in your contract, and you don’t want to find yourself surrounded by your things and still burdened with cleaning your new home. A word of advice: Hire professionals. This may seem like a little too much, but even Royal Cleaning can vouch for how much time an end of tenancy cleaning can take for a simple two-bedroom property (almost 10 hours). Besides, your simple household detergents will rarely do the trick. So buy yourself some time, and you’ll thank us later.
Hey Mr. Mover!
Just like professional cleaners are important, the same applies to professional movers. Hiring the right people to do a job they are accustomed to doing on an almost daily basis can save you a tremendous amount of hassle. They know what they’re doing, and some can even help you wrap and pack your things in the most efficient way that ensures your items are delivered without damage. Of course, you can always opt to save some money and have friends or family help you out, but we wouldn’t advise it for the heavier and bulkier stuff. After all, you don’t want your friends to accidentally drop your TV or tear your couch while carrying it down the stairs (Pivot!).
I Get a Little Help from my Friends
Not only do your friends and family come in handy when it concerns moving. If you have children or pets, having a sitter on moving day is something most people don’t even consider. But think about. If you’re sure that your children or pets are safe and sound with a friend, well-taken care of and not in your way, how much easier will moving day be? You won’t have to worry about them, and that’s one less thing on your mind during your move. Not a bad idea, huh?
Yes, moving is scary. Yes, there’s a lot of planning that goes into it. But, if you think about it, with the right planning and the right tricks up your sleeves, this can be a hassle-free day that doesn’t have to be daunting at all. Keep our tips in mind, do the right planning, and enjoy a day that marks the start of your new life!
