The Hamilton Spectator

Moving? Don’t start packing without these tips

- SOPHIE MIURA

You’ve been perusing real estate apps for months, have gone to countless house inspection­s and finally found the home of your dreams.

But before you start building your decor Pinterest board and investing in new wares, it’s time to tackle one of the most frustratin­g parts of the process: moving.

There’s no denying it: moving can be a real pain.

If you’d rather stay in your cramped old apartment than pack boxes, moving expert Manuela Irwin says there’s another way.

The author of “Relocating Without Breaking a Sweat” and specialist at MyMovingRe­views shares her top tips for making the transition sans tears. Avoid moving in the summer The worst months to move house happen to be the warmest, according to research. More than half of all moves between 2014 and 2015 were done during May, June, August and September, making it a chaotic time to secure movers. Her advice? “Move during fall. (There’s) less traffic, smaller delivery window, and only full-time employees.”

Deal with administra­tive tasks in advance

“The moving process does not (only) involve the transporta­tion of your items,” says Irwin.

She notes that one of the most stressful and oft overlooked aspects of moving house is tackling administra­tive tasks.

“You need to think (about) change of address and forwarding mail to the new place, cancelling utilities and researchin­g providers at the new place, informing your bank/insurance company, dealing with realtors, ceasing rental agreements or selling property,” she adds. “All that should be planned and organized before moving day.”

Use cling wrap to pack liquids and jewelry

To avoid frustratio­n when it comes time to open your boxes, Irwin recommends using a common household item: cling wrap.

“Use cling wrap to keep necklaces and bracelets from tangling. Lay a few pieces of jewelry on a length of plastic wrap and fold the wrap over. Press around your items to keep them separate.”

The plastic film can also be used to prevent liquids from spilling. Unscrew the lids of shampoos or pantry items like olive oil, and place a small square of cling wrap on top. Screw the lid back on to secure the plastic and create a second protective layer to avoid leaks.

Never move on a Friday or Saturday

The results are in: Friday and Saturday are officially the busiest days to move house. A 2015 MyMovingRe­views study found that almost 19 per cent of all moves occur on a Friday and that July 31, Aug. 1 and June 30 are the most chaotic days to hire movers. The best option is Sunday, with only 7 per cent choosing this day. Reserve a parking space Hiring movers? Irwin says to be aware of additional fees and prep your space before they arrive. Park your car in front of your home at least a day before prior to ensure the space is available when movers arrive, and measure doorways to check if furniture can fit through with ease.

Create a clear labelling system

Scrawling the rough contents of each box on the side just doesn’t cut it, says Irwin. Instead, she recommends creating a logical and clear labeling system and leaving any essentials like a flashlight or first aid to the side.

“Divide your household items into groups based on the room they’re located in, material they’re made of and frequency of use. Start with the items you use rarely, and don’t mix items from different rooms or items of different types such as liquids with clothes.”

Use linen instead of bubble wrap

Before stocking up on supplies, Irwin recommends a few hacks to make the most of items in your home. “Your home is full of free packing materials, such as clothing, bed linens, pillows, laundry bins and suitcases,” she says.

“Wrap dishes in T-shirts or insert Styrofoam plates in between yours (and) put pillows and blankets in garbage bags and seal them. When you load the truck, use them as padding between furniture or breakable items.” Hire a sitter Even if you’re trying to save costs, there’s one expense you should never skip. Keeping children and pets out of the house and away from potential safety hazards will relieve a lot of stress on the day so you can focus on the task at hand: moving into your brand-new home.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O ?? Planning your moving day? Park your car in front of your home at least a day before prior to the move to ensure the space is available when movers arrive.
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O Planning your moving day? Park your car in front of your home at least a day before prior to the move to ensure the space is available when movers arrive.

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