Moving is a huge task. We are there to smooth things along. So here is our advice to moving home. Free of charge.
MOVING: WHAT, WHEN AND HOW
8 weeks to go…
· New surroundings mean a new start so this is a good time for a clean out. Sort through your belongings and take out what you don’t really want or need as it is more things to pack, move and store. You could donate items to charity, or raise some funds by holding a yard or garage sale. If the kids don’t want to part with their old things, tell them they can keep their money raised to buy new toys and clothes.
· Make a list of everything that you need to move by room, and which room your new items will go into. This will help your planning in the new house but will also allow you to organise your packing when it comes to non-essential and essential items. Essential items are the ones that you will need to keep using right up until the moving day.
· If you are renting, check your agreement to ensure that you are giving the correct notice and what you need to do to ensure your receive your deposit quickly.
6 weeks to go…
· If you are moving area, notify your child(ren)’s school(s) of the move and contact the new school for enrolment information. Obtain copies of their school transcripts or ask for them to be forwarded to their new school. Obtain your medical records from your doctor for each family member. Ask your doctor if he knows of a good doctor in your new area.
· Speak to your insurance suppliers to ensure that there are no changes necessary to your policies.
4 weeks to go…
· Contact your service suppliers (gas, water, electricity, cable, internet, telephone, insurance etc.) to inform them of your move. You may be able to just swap over the details, or you may need to find a new supplier in your new area. Check to see if your prices will change or if there are any amendment or reinstallation fees.
· NOW IS THE TIME TO ORDER YOUR MOVING BOXES AND SUPPLIES!
· If you are in Metro Edmonton, you can order all your rental boxes for moving plus all your other essential moving supplies from www.easymoveboxes.com and they will be delivered to your door at a time that is convenient to you, or you can collect them from us. One order. One payment. One less thing on your mind.
· If you are renting your current home, you need to ensure that you do not lose your deposit. Check all walls, base boards and mouldings for broken pieces or major marks. When you take down pictures and curtains, ensure that you leave the wall fittings or fill the holes.
· If you have lots of old utility bills, bank or credit card statements etc that you are not going to need for tax reasons, then have them shredded to protect your details but to save you moving them.
2 weeks to go…
· Start packing your non-essential items: older or winter clothing; secondary televisions and DVD players etc.; spare bed linen; ornaments; special occasion glasses and crockery; attic or basement storage items; cookware and kitchenware.
· Send out change of address letters with the date of the move to anyone with your address: magazine subscriptions; banks; credit or store cards; charities; your employer;
· If you are renting, arrange a suitable time with your landlord for an inspection around the moving date to ensure the return of your deposit.
· Make sure that you have appropriate moving equipment for your pets too. Do they need a pet transporter? They will need to have a drink and eat before your start to pack and unpack everything. You also don’t want them running around your feet, so can you leave them with a friend, relative or neighbour?
1 week to go…
· Start packing your essential items, and get them stored away so they don’t clutter your space or your mind. Start to use up your perishable food in time for the move. Start to use plastic cutlery, cups, plates and bowls so you can just throw them away after use and you can pack your usual things. Moving is a great excuse for take out a few days before your actual date!
· Clean your mattresses, sofas and rugs using a steam cleaning service. If you are renting, then steam clean the carpets too.
· Pack your important documents and items safely so you can carry them yourself in a bag: passports, birth certificates, Alberta Healthcare cards, jewellery, heirlooms or irreplaceable keepsakes.
· What tools are you going to need to unpack and reassemble your furniture? Allen keys, screwdrivers, socket sets, scissors etc.
· Plan your first day box. What items will you need available during the unpacking and sleeping overnight in your new house? Soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, towels, plastic cups for drinks, plastic plates and cutlery (or order take out again!), bed linen, basic toolkit (as above), toilet paper, bottles of water, change of clothes, essential medicines, napkins and paper towels, cleaning supplies, toys for the children, garbage bags.
Moving day…
· Pack the largest items (beds, cabinets, sofas) into the truck first, then the largest boxes and then smaller boxes. This will help you fill the truck in the most efficient manner. However, also remember that you will need to get the smaller boxes out and into the rooms first to allow space to get the big items off last. Pack your first night box last so it comes off first and is available throughout the unpacking.
· Organise your unloading. If you are tight on space, then set up a chain to handle the boxes along the route rather than lots of people moving past each other. Does everyone have to walk through the whole house with their shoes on?
· Moving is thirsty work. Certain coffee-to-go places do a large coffee box with paper cups so people can help themselves. A few muffins, sandwiches, doughnuts will keep your helpers happy too! A bit of music might help so have a stereo or speakers and your phone handy too.
· Get the kids room unpacked first. They can play while you finish off, and you will need a place for them to sleep too!
HOW TO PACK THE DIFFICULT ITEMS
Books
· Pack all your books flat inside the moving box. Keep sizes together. Alternate the direction of the books so they will stay level. Fill in the spaces with packing paper or old newspaper. Individually wrap anything delicate or valuable.
Electronics
· If you still have the original packing then use that. If you don’t then try to find a similar size box, don’t just use any size and add extra items. Ensure you have lots of packing around the item.
· Ensure that you pack the connecting cables and power cords with the item. If this is not possible, use a Zip-Loc bag and clearly label it.
· Ensure that you have allowed the item to cool down from its operating temperature before packing. Packing immediately could cause the item to overheat in the box.
· If the item is expensive then do not identify it. Simply label the room it is going to in case anyone sees it when walking past.
· If you are moving computers or laptops, always back up your files in case of damage during moving.
Files
· Sort through your documents as they can be very heavy to move. Do you really need 10 year old bank statements? If you don’t need them, make sure that you have them shredded rather than thrown in the garbage.
· Always keep very personal or important files or documents with you throughout the move, such as passports, birth certificates, health care cards, SIN cards etc. Keep these in a wallet or file and travel with them.
· Use box files to keep items organised and labelled and then pack them into larger boxes.
Framed pictures
· Use corner protectors to ensure that frames are not damaged.
· Use packing paper in between items to ensure that the surfaces are not scratched.
Lamps
· Remove the shade, bulb and the harp (if possible). Pack the base upright in a box and pad around it with newspaper or tissue paper. Wrap the other items separately and pack inside the box.
PACKING TIPS
While it seems quite easy to just put everything into boxes, here are a few tips that might help you out.
· Pack one room at a time. This will allow you to keep organised in what needs to be done and to make it easier to unpack at your new place.
· Save boxes by packing clothes and bed linen in suitcases.
· Clearly label each box with the room it has come from, the room it is going to and the contents. Use a colour code system. It could be a room or a floor, to make it easier to know where everything is going, especially if you have lots of people helping you move.
· If you are using cardboard boxes then indicate if there are fragile or heavy items contained and which way is up. If there is something valuable inside, do not write it on the box in case anybody walking past sees it.
· If you have rugs, get them cleaned before the move. They will return clean but also wrapped and ready for packing.
· Use small boxes for heavy items. Large boxes for light items. This will make it easier to spread the weight. If you are packing lots of items, place the heavier items on the bottom. If you have some very small items, pack them in a Zip Loc bag or in wrap them in bright paper so they are easier to find.
· When disassembling furniture, use a Zip Loc bag for any screws, bolts and fittings and clearly label it. Either attach it to the furniture or keep them all together in one larger bag. Never attach bags to polished or painted wood surfaces as it may damage the surface.