After going through the process of finding and finally getting enough finances to buy your next dream home, moving houses may be the next stressful task on your agenda. It may be hard to resist procrastinating, but you don’t want be running about the house at 3am before the big day, with half-filled carton boxes still spread around your house like a minefield!
Want to make moving house as easy as possible? Here are some tips to make moving house as quick and fuss-free as possible.
Changing your Address
While you are busy preparing for the big move, it can be easy to forget about details such as your mail. It is important to remember to change your address to prevent important letters and bills from getting lost!
Firstly, you have to make sure your NRIC contains the updated address. To change the address on your NRIC, simply take a document (e.g utilities bill, internet bill) that reflects your new place of residence and your NRIC to a neighbourhood police post.
It is also requirement that you report a change of address within 28 days of moving. For those of you who are a big fans of e-commerce, also remember to update your delivery address on your favourite sites!
Start Early and Be Organised!
It mat be tempting to leave your packing to the very last minute, but it will make packing less stressful if you start well in advance of the moving day.
Start by making a checklist of things to be done. Note down even the most minute stuff to help you in the later phases of packing!
Packing Essentials Basket
Make sure you have packing essentials such as cardboard boxes, tape, scissors and bubble wrap readily available. Try and score some free boxes from local retailers, stores and offices who may have just finished unpacking their goods. Some moving companies may also provide a number of free empty boxes.
Save yourself the trouble from your packing supplies playing hide-and-seek with you by making a Packing Essentials Basket! Find a basket or box for these supplies that you can easily carry around the house from room to room while you are pack. This way, you can save precious time from retrieving supplies you have left around the house.
It may be useful, and also fun to invest in a label-maker. Labelling your boxes will make unpacking much more easily, especially if you have some fragile items among the boxes. For a wallet-friendly version, simply label your boxes with a permanent market.
Drawers
To keep the drawers of your dressers shut while being moved around in the truck, one trick is to use plastic wrap to keep them shut! With this, you can also leave some belongings in the drawers since they won’t open!
Cut holes in sides of boxes for easy lifting
You will probably spend much of your time lifting cartons of boxes. Cut triangle-shaped handles onto the side of heavier boxes so that you can lift them easily!
Keep ALL liquids separate
Detergent, dish-washing supplies, soap, and whatever liquids you have been should be kept separately in water-proof containers! Also, cling-wrap the openings of your toiletries before putting the caps back on to seal them and prevent leakages.
Do some Spring-Cleaning
Moving is one of the best opportunities to declutter your house apart from the New Year spring clean! Sieve out your well-loved items that you can donate and throw away all the unwanted clutter altogether.
Having less clutter will really help when packing!
Using Storage Facilities
If you are downsizing or need to put away some items before moving, you can choose to put some of your items in storage! Storage facilities are located around Singapore in places such as Changi, Toa Payoh and Hougang for your convenience!
Taking pictures of your electronics before unplugging
Before you disconnect your electronic appliances to be boxed up, remember to take a snapshot on your smartphone or camera so that you can remember where they all go! One example is the cords at the back of your television. This will save you a lot of time and frustration when you set them up again in your new home!
Keep your Nuts and Bolts Organised
If you have tons of IKEA furniture that you may have to dismantle for the big move, don’t forgot to keep these loose nuts and bolts organised. Organise them according to the piece of furniture they are for, and label the containers so you don’t lose any and get confused in the process.
Call your cable, internet, electricity, and gas providers at least a week ahead of your move to figure out when you need to shut everything off. Make sure you leave enough time in your schedule to gather any necessary items like cords, remotes, or cable boxes.
Choosing the Right Moving Company
The right moving company is critical to how quick and fuss-free your moving experience will be, so this is a really important step. Don’t jump at the first five-star rated moving company that you see on Google!
Take the time and effort to research on online review sites or forums and ask your families and friends for any recommendations they may have. Make sure to find a moving company with a good track record and customer service!
Get to know the services that these moving companies provide, as well some terms and conditions they may have. For instance, some moving companies do not move items that are not packed in boxes, while some require full payment beforehand.
Pack an Essentials Bag as well as a First-Night Box
It may be useful to pack as if you are going for vacation when moving. This can give you the freedom to unpack while still living comfortably. You don’t want to have to tear around the house just to search for that one box that you positively need.
Usually for the first day after the move, make sure you have essential items within reach such as toilet roll, toiletries, utensils, a change of clothes, or even a water kettle.
Choosing a good time to move
Try and avoid busy periods such as Fridays or weekends, as the roads will probably be much busier with the busy roads in Singapore. Also make sure you have sufficient time to move and unpack in your new home, be it during the weekends or taking an extra day off work.
Moving to a new home can be an exciting experience, so don’t be stressed out during the move!
