YOU NEED NEW NEIGHBOURS
Does moving sound like stress, heavy boxes, new neighbours, lots of sweating and back pain to you? Perhaps you've moved so often yourself and helped others to do so that it all seems inseparable to you. Just thinking about it makes your stomach turn like a roll of paint on the wall. But give these tips a try and see how you can make your move easier and break less of a sweat in the process. After all, good planning is half the battle. And if you don't feel like moving again in the near future, you'll still prove to be a professional. Feel free to pass on the following tips to your friends who are due for their next change of scenery. And then, of course, please lend a hand, because things are always more fun together.
TIMELY PLANNING
Start planning and organising the move as early as possible. To-do lists will help you keep track of everything and you'll enjoy ticking off each item, that's a promise. Order what you need early and organise helpers and transporters as soon as you know when your move is due to take place, otherwise you may be on your own. Make sure that you get as much as possible where it makes sense. Painter's fleece, for example, which you still have left over from painting your old home or have already bought in advance, is practical for protecting delicate furniture or mirrors during transport to your new home. If you buy a lot of things in good time, you can save a lot of money.
Please also note that furniture and electrical appliances often have a long delivery time. Make sure you have WLAN when you move in and prepare for the change of electricity provider and other contracts. Make an appointment at the residents' registration office to re-register, if necessary. It's also best to measure the new stairwell if you have to move large furniture through it, and measure the rooms as soon as you have the key. If your wardrobe doesn't fit in the bedroom, you don't even need to take it with you. Prepare everything you can - even small things like nameplates for the doorbell and letterbox. Your future self at the new address will thank you for it.
CLEAN OUT YOUR FLAT FIRST
You certainly don't want to move anything that you're going to dispose of later anyway. Take your time and have a proper clear-out - the cellar, the garage, the wardrobe. Get rid of everything you no longer need anyway and avoid moving these things unnecessarily. You can give away or donate old clothes, furniture or unneeded supplies, and you can also sell furniture and electrical appliances and raise some money to furnish your new home. What is no longer good can simply be disposed of professionally.
ORGANISE HELPERS (FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES)
If you ask in good time, a few helping hands will be at your side as soon as your move is due. Don't just ask the evening before and be surprised to find that everyone is already busy elsewhere. The following applies to the number of helpers required: the number of square metres of the old flat divided by ten. If that was 100 square metres, you should be fine with 10 helpers. Friends, family and colleagues can help you, but it can also make sense to hire a professional removal company. You will need help, especially if you want to carry heavy furniture and appliances. Don't try to do everything on your own - it's usually more work than you think. You should of course organise catering for the helpers. Offer enough to drink and prepare a few snacks or order something to eat to fortify your team and thank them for their help.
PACKING MOVING BOXES MORE EASILY
Moving boxes, adhesive tape and a few pens for labelling are some of the most important pieces of equipment. Fortunately, you can buy them cheaply at any DIY store. But what good is the best box if you don't pack it properly! Of course you want to make the most of the space in the boxes. But nobody likes carrying heavy boxes. So mix heavy and light items so that you fully utilise the volume but keep the weight within limits. You can partially fill a box with books and sofa cushions, with cosmetics and light towels - the main thing is that they are all full and still easy to carry.
Combine the boxes sensibly and label them so that you and your helpers can place them directly in the right room in your new home. This will also save you time when unpacking and putting things away. If this is too chaotic for you, you can define a large room as the first storage area and save the helpers having to walk around. This can be particularly useful in a large house and with a lot of helpers, but it means more work for you afterwards. All the more reason for you to plan more than one day for your move.
PROTECT SENSITIVE ITEMS
What a nasty surprise: the high-gloss chest of drawers has been deeply scratched, a corner of the mirror has been damaged and your coffee cups are suddenly missing handles. You should avoid transport damage at all costs and pack delicate items well. Newspaper is suitable for wrapping crockery, while you can use blankets, sheets or towels to cushion large items of furniture or mirrors. This kills two birds with one stone and saves you having to pack the cloth in question separately. Then put it in the vehicle of your choice and everything will arrive in one piece. This is where the skills of all those who used to play Tetris come into their own. The more you can take with you on each journey, the less often you have to drive and the sooner you can return the borrowed vehicle and keep the costs down. This way you can tackle your move properly and save time, energy, money and nerves.
