In this post, I share secrets from a move manager to help you streamline your next move and avoid common pitfalls.
Decluttering Will Take Longer Than You Think
Start decluttering as soon as possible, even if you haven’t firmly decided you will move. This is especially true if you are downsizing. Most people don’t realize how much stuff they have until they go through their house drawer-by-drawer and closet-by-closet. When sorting through souvenirs and photographs, it’s very easy to get lost in the memories and lose track of time. In addition, family members may not want some of your stuff. Decluttering far in advance of your move will allow you time to decide how to disburse your items. If no one wants your antique dining suite, you will have time to auction it or sell it through a consignment store or online classified ads.
Book Experts as Soon as Possible
Not all moving companies are equipped to pack and move unique, heavy, or valuable items such as artwork, grandfather clocks, billiard tables, or pianos. If you hire a moving company, make sure they know about any belongings requiring special care. If you are moving on your own, consider hiring experts to move those specific pieces. Book experts well in advance, especially in the busy spring and summer seasons or at month-end. You don’t want to place your irreplaceable items in inexperienced hands.
Take Pictures When You Disassemble Furniture
Furniture that you can disassemble is easy to move. But remembering how to assemble it in your new home is challenging. One of the secrets of a move manager is taking pictures of each step as you dismantle the items. Zoom in on areas and take pictures of the nuts and bolts. Annotate the picture with the size of the wrench or hex key you used so you can grab the right tool quickly.
To make assembly go even more smoothly, group the hardware in the centre of a piece of packing paper. Wrap, tape, and label the packet with the piece of furniture it belongs to. Place all the packets in a well-labelled “Set-Up Box.” Put your tool kit in there, and when you arrive at your new home, you will know exactly where everything is to rebuild.
Protect Cherished and Important Items
We tell our clients to pack their high-value jewelry, other small precious items, and essential paperwork in their suitcase to carry with them. You can easily lose these items in the packing process. And it may take some time to find them in your new home. Some clients choose to store these items with a friend or family member or in a safety deposit box until they are set up in their new home.
Create a Safe Zone on Packing and Moving Days
Do you want to hear a funny story – and one of the secrets of a move manager? The Out of Chaos team always changes into indoor shoes when we arrive on the job site to protect our clients’ homes. One day we were packing household goods, and a team member packed the outdoor shoes of the rest of the team because they thought the shoes belonged to the homeowner! Fortunately, we labelled the boxes we packed, so it was easy to find our shoes again.
We suggest our clients keep the items they want to carry with them (purse, suitcase, shoes, etc.) in their car. However, that is not always possible, so we designate a “safe zone” to put items that we should not pack. The safe zone could be the closet in the entryway, a bathroom, or a bedroom closet. Wherever your safe zone is, make sure you clearly label it, and everyone on the moving team (packers and loaders) knows they should not pack items in this area.
Hire a Move Manager
When you are moving to a new home, there are many details to think about and coordinate. Add the physical work of packing and unpacking, and you can understand why people rate moving as one of the most stressful life events.
However, you don’t have to lift a finger with Out of Chaos Stress-Free Move Management Services. We can build a customized plan for your move and manage every detail, from packing your belongings to organizing them in your new home.
Are you interested in learning more? Check out 5 Reasons to Hire a Move Manager and Four More Reasons to Hire a Move Manager. When you’re ready, contact the Out of Chaos team through our website.
Image from Pixabay.
