Let's be real; moving can be a hassle.

There are so many things to stress out about when preparing for a move. Things like starting a new job, enrolling the kids in a new school, and making new friends. Will the Thai restaurant in your new neighbourhood be on par with the one you have ordered take out from so many times before?!

Moving is already mentally daunting; so perhaps you should leave the physically taxing parts to the professionals?

Hire a mover you can trust to get your precious cargo to your new beginnings. Decorating and organising a new place takes a lot of energy, but it can be fun and exciting. Wouldn't it be great to skip the worst part?

If you’ve already come to that conclusion, and you’ve booked in your removalists for the big day (or you’re about to), then you’re going to want to get prepared!

Here are some tips to help you stay organised and efficient as you approach moving day.

6 Tips to Make Moving Easier

1 - Be Clear About What You Want (and Write It Down)

Before you schedule the move, make a list of everything you need to complete. Get a notebook dedicated to keeping your move organised and write down everything you want to accomplish. Go crazy! Make checklists, blueprints, journal, or just doodle, but write things down.

How much are you willing to pay?
Will you have them pack for you, or will you have everything packed and ready when they arrive?
How many rooms will they be transporting for you?
Are you looking for furniture disassembly and reassembly, or will you have things disassembled when the movers arrive?
If you would like assembly services, on which items and in what room of the house would you like them?

The last thing you want to do is have to move your grandmother's 200-pound armoire upstairs after the crew has left, which brings us to the next tip.

2 - Make A Mini (Or Full-Size) Blueprint

Having an approximate idea of your furniture's layout in your new place will ease your mind and workload when you are unpacking AND aid in planning the instruction for the Port Macquarie removalists.

Come on; it will be fun!

You found your new apartment or house – that's the hard part! Now, pull out your moving journal and make a little sketch of the new place's layout. You don't have to be an artist; this is only for your plans and your sanity.

Draw out every room, including nooks and closets. Go through your furniture and mindfully represent each piece in your blueprint masterpiece. Doing this will give you a more definite idea of what you're working with and where you would like things placed. The less work you must do without the moving professionals, the better.

A blueprint can also help you decide what things may not be worth packing, moving, and unpacking again. In the end, you will be glad you took the time.

3 - When In Doubt, Throw It Out!

Remember, an organised space is an organised mind. You have the perfect opportunity to start fresh with only your favourite, most useful things. Here are some questions to ask yourself when packing.

Have I worn or used this in the past year? No? Could you get rid of it?
Is this piece of furniture more of a pain to move than it's worth? Remember, the more items, especially heavy items; you choose to take with you, the more it will cost. You don't need two dining room tables!
Is the new place more spacious or less spacious than the last? Are you moving from a four-bedroom country home to a one-bedroom beach house? Where are you going to put all this stuff?
Donate the things you don't need. Put the donation bags into your car as soon as you fill them—no need to tempt yourself with those hideous stirrup pants that you used to think were so flattering in 1990.
Several donation services will come out and pick up furniture and other bulky items at your convenience. They usually don't charge anything either!

4 - Buy Decent Packing Supplies

I hear you; you've already spent buckets on the move, but to make your life easier, don't skimp on heavy-duty boxes. You may save a few bucks, but those few dollars aren't worth your frustration when the box full of your keepsakes bottoms out after a long day of moving.

Trust me.

Most removal businesses offer packing supplies for sale to the customer separately. You can also request to include the boxes in the moving quote.

Buy a heavy-duty packing tape, not masking tape or scotch tape! Duct tape works, but it's usually more costly and doesn't come with cool handle accessories to cut the tape right where you need.
Use rags, washcloths, towels, t-shirts, and anything else you have to wrap up your fragile items. Here is where you can save some money on bubble wrap or spools of paper. Wherever you are able, use the material you have!

If you are packing up your kitchen, wrap your plates and cups in kitchen towels and washcloths. Not only are you saving money by not buying plastic or paper to wrap up your breakables, but you're saving space!

You have to pack the kitchen towels somewhere regardless, and you will save time when all of the kitchen items are in the same place when you're unpacking. No running around trying to find the box labeled "towels."

Wrapping fragile things you're taking on your move with soft stuff you're taking is a packing hack that everyone should utilise in all facets of travel.

5 - Take Photos

Before removing your belongings, take photos of the floors and doorways especially, since those are the places most likely to be damaged while moving.

You don't want to blame the movers for something hidden under your dresser for the past ten years, and you'll need evidence if there is any substantial damage.

Even more critical, take pictures of the new place before you move anything in.

You might not know all of the little creases and cracks in your new abode, and you don't want to wonder if that scratch was there before or not. On the other hand, you want a leg to stand on if something happens to the vintage crown moulding in that room you loved so much that you bought the house.

Cover your bases and document with photos.

6 - Do A Double-Check At Every Stop

No, I don't mean at every rest stop on your way to your final destination. After everything is in the moving vehicle and ready to go, do a thorough walkthrough of the space you're about to leave.

You don't want to get to your new place, 500 miles away, and wonder whether you left your favourite belt behind, in the back of your old bedroom closet. Just take a few extra minutes to check every room and cupboard to ensure you've left nothing behind.

You'll also want to take a look in the movers' truck after they have delivered everything to your new place. For the same reason as checking the home or office you left, you want to know none of your things are left behind.

I get it; everyone is tired and ready to go home at this point, it's been an incredibly long day, and you want to lie down, but inspect the truck!

Get in the back and walk around in there with a flashlight. You can take a video of this to be safe.

Check in the corners to ensure no small items have fallen out or are hiding under a moving blanket. You don't want to wonder about anything extra since you'll probably already be doing that as a natural side effect of moving from place to place.

Tips for Moving Day

1 - Hire Competent Relocation Specialists

If you want moving day to run smoothly, don’t skimp out on the new guy down the block. Competent removalists in Port Macquarie have years of experience, and client testimonials to back up their expertise.

2 - Don't Pack Any Box Too Heavy

Spread out your books between containers. Even the most expensive, high-quality boxes may not hold 100 or your favourite novels.

Making life easy for your removalists means a faster, simpler move. Plus, you might end up taking a box or two yourself early, you know, just to have one last look at the new place.

You don’t want to be putting your back out just before the big day.

3 - Take Pictures Early

Take photos of the furniture you plan to sell before you start packing everything else. You don't want to take photos of your moving mess.

4 - Make A "Go" Container

Consider keeping a Tupperware or container of things you will need in the interim between moving and unpacking. These things might include:

Toilet paper
Garbage bags
Soap
Towels
Blanket (for floor picnic)
Lamp
Flashlight
Air mattress
Disposable plates & cutlery
All phones and chargers
Coffee maker, coffee & filters if you're a coffee person.

5 - Consider Storing Some Things

Let's say you're moving to a new city and renting a flat, but you plan to buy property within the next year or two.

You could consider storing some of the furniture and seasonal items that might otherwise clutter your apartment in the interim, and save you from lugging them over to Port Macquarie.

6 - Set Goals

It can be hard to get going. Set goals and allow for a break when you finish.

Example: When I finish assembling this entertainment stand, I will have half a sandwich and watch one episode of my favourite Netflix show.

After I get these boxes in the bedroom, I will take the dog outside and enjoy a cup of coffee or beer, depending on what type of day you're having.

Be sure to treat yourself after a day of packing. If possible, make an appointment for a massage a week or two after you move into your new home. Be good to yourself; relocating is stressful, and you deserve a little R&R.

7 - Keep A Positive Outlook

When moving, it can feel never-ending and so tiring, but give yourself a break. It's going to take a while to get everything in the perfect spot. Take your time. Your level of happiness is hugely dependent on your perception. So, perceive that life is good, and this is the beginning of something new and fabulous.

We all know that moving is a pain but keep in mind that this is your "make your own adventure" book! Life is happening all around you!

You've Got This!

You're about to turn the page of a new chapter in the book of your life! It's okay to be excited, nervous, or anxious. Heck, it's even alright if you had a meltdown when you dropped that family heirloom; it's all good!

Jumping from one place to another is an emotional process; learn to practice self-compassion. You've accomplished something huge. Not everyone dares to change their address, let alone their life and trajectory.

You have been packing and planning for months, romanticising and reminiscing in piles of old photo albums. You're bound to hit a snag here and there, but like every other challenging situation you have confronted, you will get through it, and you'll be better for it.

Take a moment to enjoy the inaugural picnic on your new living room floor. Soak up the first night on the air mattress with your dog in the unfamiliar. These are the simple memories you will cherish forever. Don't let them slip past you without acknowledgment.

Still have questions about removalists Port Macquarie? Give us a call!

Making Moving Easy With Removalists Port Macquarie