A house move looks straightforward, right up until the actual moving day. Most people underestimate how much stuff is genuinely in a home and how long it takes to prep it for transport. This article will help you build your own plan and avoid the most common mistakes.
Start planning at least two weeks ahead
Write the move date in your calendar first. Then work backwards and split the tasks by week. Week one usually takes the biggest chunk, the initial sort, getting rid of what you don't need, and packing the things you barely use. Week two, the things you use more often, kitchen and bathroom basics. On the day itself, all that's left is bedding, clothes and the essentials.
Packing, a system that saves hours
Label every box with a number and a list of contents. Write the number on two sides so the movers can spot it from any angle. On a sheet or in your phone, keep a master list: box 1 has kitchen dishes, box 2 has books from the office, and so on. It saves hours when you unpack at the other end.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes so they're easy to lift
- Pack light items (bedding, pillows) in large boxes
- Fragile items go separately, with empty space at the top of the box
- Carry clothes on hangers in wardrobe boxes so they don't crease
- Write the room each box belongs to at the new place
When to bring in the pros
Professional movers are worth it once the move is bigger than one person's belongings, when there are heavy items or fragile pieces involved, or when you're short on time. Komanda24 offers everything from movers only (30 EUR/h) to a full-service move with a van and two movers (60 EUR/h). The hourly rate is fixed and fuel is included.
Paperwork and admin
A week before the move, let your bank, your employer and your friends know the new address. With Latvijas Pasts you can lodge a request to have post forwarded to the new address. At the old place, leave it clean, both as a courtesy and, if you're renting, so you actually get the deposit back.
First night in the new place
On the first night you do not want to be hunting for a toothbrush. Pack the essentials into a separate box, bedding, a towel, toothbrushes and paste, a charger, dinner. This box rides with you, not in the van. A couple more tips, throw in the toilet paper too, it's always the thing nobody can find. Save your peace of mind for the first night, everything else can wait until morning.