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1.  Get acquainted with your new address.

Pay a visit to your new neighborhood a few weeks before your move to get a lay of the land. Scout out the nearest supermarket and other essential services. Most importantly, make a note of your new address to pass it on to your movers and postal service, and even to reset your Amazon Prime delivery account.

To ensure a seamless transition, contact all utility companies before your move date to set up utility accounts and schedule a turn-on date and appointments for any necessary in-person visits.  

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2. Decide on a budget and Moving Company

Do your due diligence and contact at least two Moving Companies and get a quote, enquire about availability, and their suite of services. To minimize hassle, pick a Moving Company that offers the full service – packing, loading, transporting, and unpacking your goods. Book a moving date with the shortlisted company at least a month in advance. Pro-tip: It’s cheaper to move on weekdays than on the weekend, depending on how busy the Movers are! 

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3. Spring Clean! 

Clear the clutter before you start packing. This can be done a month ahead of your move. That cute dress you haven’t worn in over two years and the toaster that serves no purpose? Yeah, you don’t need them in your new space. There are many options, donate them to charity, list them on social media and second-hand goods websites, hold a garage sale, give them away to friends and family who will appreciate them... whatever you do, remember, this will contribute towards the efficiency, ease, and cost-effectiveness of you moving process. 

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4. Source those Boxes

Dig out the original boxes in which your electrical items arrived. The manufacturer’s packaging is designed for safe transportation – corrugation, molded foam and all. As for the other items, places like liquor stores might have minimally worn boxes, but make sure they are sturdy when you source them. Alternatively, rent or buy storage boxes in a mix of small, medium, and large sizes to ensure efficient packing. If most of your boxes are large, after packing heavy items in them, you’re going to have to stuff them with crunched-up paper, which is a gross waste of space and packing material. 

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5. One room at a time 

Packing can seem like an overwhelming task, but planning can relieve some of the stress. Give yourself at least two days to pack the items in a single room. Start with the least used room, perhaps the garage or the basement. This process will also make the unpacking, that much smoother. Keep a marker by your side and label the boxes as soon as you seal them: E.g.: Bedroom closet, basement rack, kitchen sink cabinet. Clearly labeling boxes also enables the Movers to unload your items in the right places. Also, remember to mark ‘fragile’ on the breakables!   

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6. Stop the jostling 

Don’t overstuff the boxes, ensure the boxes don’t exceed the weight specified by your movers. Most importantly, after laying your items in the box, stuff it with old newspaper and towels to stop them from jostling around during the move or being crushed by the weight of other boxes stacked on top of them. This will minimize possible damage during transit. Use bubble wrap or quilted blankets to wrap each fragile item separately. The goal is to create minimal moving space inside the boxes.