THEY NEED NEW NEIGHBORS
Moving sounds like stress to you, heavy boxes, new neighbors, lots of sweating and back pain? Perhaps you’ve moved so many times yourself and helped others that it all just goes together for you. The mere thought of it makes your stomach turn like a paint roller on the wall. But try these tips and see how you can make your move easier and sweat less. Because good planning helps the battle. And if you don’t feel like moving again any time soon, you can still prove yourself to be a pro. Feel free to pass the following tips on to your friends who are next up against a change of scenery. And of course, please lend a hand too, because things are always more fun when done together.
PLAN IN ADVANCE
Start planning and organizing your move as early as possible. To-do lists will help you stay on top of things, and you’ll enjoy checking them off every time, I promise. Order what you need early and organize helpers and movers as soon as you know when your move is scheduled to take place; otherwise, you might find yourself on your own. Make sure you’ve already gotten as much as possible where it makes sense. For example, painter’s fleece, left over from painting your old apartment or purchased in advance, is useful for protecting delicate furniture or mirrors during transport to your new home. Getting things done in advance can save you a lot of money.
Also keep in mind that furniture and electrical appliances often have long delivery times. Make sure you have Wi-Fi when you move in, and prepare for switching your electricity provider and other contracts. Make an appointment at the Citizen’s Registration Office to change your address if necessary. It’s a good idea to measure the new stairwell if you have to transport large furniture through it, and measure the rooms as soon as you have the key. If your wardrobe doesn’t fit in the bedroom, there’s no need to bring it with you. So prepare everything you can—even little things like nameplates for the doorbell and mailbox. Your future self at the new address will thank you very much for this.
CLEAN OUT YOUR APARTMENT FIRST
You certainly don’t want to move anything you’ll end up throwing away later anyway. Take enough time and do a thorough clean-out—the basement, the garage, the closet. Get rid of everything you no longer need and avoid bringing it along with you. You can give away or donate old clothes, furniture, or unwanted supplies. Furniture and electrical appliances, in particular, are also a good option for selling and raising some money to furnish your new home. Simply dispose of anything that’s no longer in good condition properly.
ORGANIZE HELPERS (FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTS)
If you ask early enough, you’ll have a few helping hands on hand as soon as your move is due. Don’t wait until the night before and then be surprised that everyone is already busy. The rule for the number of helpers needed is: divide the square footage of the old apartment by ten. If that’s 100 square meters, you should be fine with 10 helpers. Friends, family, and colleagues can support you, but hiring a professional moving company can also be a good idea. You’ll need help, especially if you have to carry heavy furniture and appliances. Don’t try to do everything on your own—it’s usually more work than you think. Of course, you should organize food for the helpers. Offer plenty to drink and prepare a few snacks, or order something to eat to give your team some energy and to thank them for their help.
PACKING MOVING BOXES EASIER
Moving boxes, tape, and a few markers for labeling are some of the most important pieces of equipment. Luckily, you can buy them cheaply at any hardware store. But what good is the best box if you don’t pack it properly! Of course, you want to make most of the space in the crates. But nobody likes carrying heavy boxes. So mix heavy and light items so you use the full volume while keeping the weight to a minimum. You can partially fill a box with books and sofa cushions, with cosmetics and light towels – the main thing is that they’re all full and still easy to carry.
Combine items wisely and label the boxes so you and your helpers can place them directly in the right room in your new home. This will also save you time unpacking and unpacking. If that’s too chaotic for you, you can designate a large room as the first storage area, saving your helpers the hassle of walking. This can be particularly useful in a large house and with a lot of helpers, but it will mean more work for you later on. Yet another reason to plan more than one day for your move.