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House move processes are usually intense and involved, which is the case no matter what time you choose to move. However, it would be best if you did more to properly prepare for a holiday move. It would be great if you could enjoy the holidays and a pleasant moving experience.
This blog post on preparing for a holiday move: tips and tricks can help you do just that.
You can learn tips for moving during holiday seasons, precautions for a move during the holidays, and find out how a moving company can help during holiday moves. The post also contains packing tips to help you move house.
Tips for Moving During Holiday Seasons
Here are some great moving tips you can use as a holiday moving guide:
Plan well ahead of time and book your removalist
Planning is a great way to reduce the stress of moving during holidays. Plan your move on time by getting necessary cost estimates such as moving costs. This will help you to plan your budget accordingly. Create a moving checklist and set and stick to a timeline for the move.
One of the early to-do items on your checklist should be to hire professionals well in advance. The moving checklist should include both pre and post-move activities. You can cross off items on the checklist as you complete them. Also, remember that you need to make your moving announcement to friends and family so they are all in the picture.
Declutter and start packing
You can start packing unnecessary items or items that you do not need. Implement a plan to sell or donate these items. This decluttering process will not only reduce the items you have to move, but you can also generate some cash. When it is time to start packing, you can collate your packing supplies. This can include labelling boxes, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, and rubber bands.
Plan holiday decorations
It is a bonus to be able to enjoy the holidays and achieve a smooth move. You can get the best of both worlds by planning your holiday decorations. You can get your friends and family to join you in this uplifting activity. Playing some music as you string light bulbs can add some cheer to the process.
Update banking records, utilities, and subscriptions
Many businesses observe holiday hours during the holiday season. You should, therefore, give utilities such as delivery, gas, and electricity services enough notice. Remember to cancel subscriptions you would no longer need in your old home.
You could use the opportunity of sending holiday cards, such as Christmas cards, to notify your friends and family of your change of address. Also, update your banking and other records.
Keep move-day weather forecast in mind
Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and snow, rain, and other poor weather conditions can affect the holiday moving process. As such, you may take the precaution of having protective gear and weather-appropriate clothing. Likewise, it would help if you had a flexible move-day arrangement with professional movers.
Make plans for young children and pets
House moves can get noisy and stressful for children and pets. You can arrange offsite babysitting and pet sitting for a smooth house move. Remember to keep their favourite toys and stuffed animals close.
Set up an essentials box
There are essential items that you will likely need to keep close by. Examples of such items include a change of clothes, toilet paper rolls, a toothbrush, and medications. Put these items in a clearly marked essentials box to take with you on move day.
Precautions for a Move during the Holidays
Using the following precautions will make your holiday move easier:
Avoid moving during the weekend before Christmas
The Saturday and Sunday before Christmas are very busy days with many people going shopping. This makes it a poor day for a move during the holidays. You will also be more likely to have heavy traffic, which can delay your move.
Avoid late packing
You can start packing around two or three weeks before move day. Hurried packing can make you lose essential items.
Secure moving boxes
Be sure to secure moving boxes for your move correctly. You could tape the tops and bottoms of the boxes. It is also easy for weight to add up. Pack boxes so they stay under 23 kilos, become too heavy and slow you down.
Research local and long-distance regulations
You can save much stress, time, and energy if you brush up on what you should not pack for local and long-distance moves. This will help you keep to local and long-distance rules for moving. Know the permit requirements of your neighbourhood and apply for a moving permit if needed.
How Professionals Can Help During Holiday Moves
A moving company can be a lot of help if you are moving interstate and for local moves. They can help you with your packing and moving chores and leave you free to perform other holiday tasks like shopping.
Storage units and moving containers for long-distance moves
Hiring movers means that you can use their particular services for long-distance moves. This includes the use of storage units and moving containers.
Access to moving supplies
You may not have all the moving supplies you need. For example, you may not have the right size and shape of boxes for packing small items. A removal company will not only have the required packing and moving supplies, such as plastic bins and recycled boxes, but they will also provide time-saving tips for your move.
Lifting of heavy items
There is a risk of potential injury if you try to do all the heavy lifting yourself. A moving company will have the correct lifting and moving equipment for heavy boxes and heavy items. For example, they can use a dolly trolley to move your items safely. You may also need professional movers to lift and move heavy furniture.
Expert moving tips
A removal company can also provide excellent moving tips to ease stressful moves. They will also be on hand to offer unpacking tips if you need them.
Packing Tips to Help You Move House
Here are some packing tips for moving smoothly during the holidays:
- You can begin by stacking up on needed packing supplies. This includes packing tapes and box cutters.
- A packing and moving hack is wrapping thick new garbage bags around your clothes and coat hangers instead of clothing boxes. This can help save time.
- Use cushions to pad items in moving boxes.
- If you stack plates vertically, be sure to use bubble wrap to protect them. Also, pad the sides and gaps with tea towels.
- Pack heavy items at the base of boxes and light items on top.
- Don't pack fragile items with heavy items so you do not crush them. Packing paper is not enough protection in this instance.
- Bundle long items such as curtain rods, brooms, and rakes together using tape and plastic wrap.
- Remember to use markers or coloured stickers to assign colours to moving boxes according to each room. Colour-coded and labelled boxes allow for easy identification.
Get Help from Professional Removalists
This guide on tips and tricks on preparing for a holiday move has considered tips for moving during holiday seasons, precautions for a move during the holidays, and how a moving company can help during holiday moves. You also read up on packing tips to help you move house.
Combining a holiday move with the frantic activities of a festive season is challenging. It is easy to get overwhelmed with either task. Unlike what you may think, getting professional moving help during the holidays may not be so expensive. Besides, you will enjoy the rewards of a safe and less stressful move.
