How to make your moving experience stress-free and exciting

WHETHER you are relocating down the road or across the country, moving house can be a trying experience.

Adrian Goslett, chief executive of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says careful preparation can make the difference between a pleasant moving experience and disaster.

He offers some tips on making moving a more organised and hassle-free experience.

Most moving companies will require a list of items that need to be moved before they provide a quote on their services, so you need to compile an inventory of your possessions. It is also helpful to number the boxes and make lists when packing boxes so you know exactly what is in each box. Having a list with the number of boxes and contents of each box will make it far easier to determine whether items or boxes are missing.

The more specific the inventory and list of box contents, the easier it will be to find items when unpacking. However, don’t label boxes as cont aining winter j ackets, for example. Just write the number on the box, as well as the room where it should be delivered.

To help movers find the rooms where the boxes need to be delivered, it’s helpful to designate each room in the new home a certain colour and mark each box or item with a sticker of the corresponding colour. For example, all bedroom items will be marked in blue and kitchen items in red. Put matching stickers on the door post of each room, so movers will know the destination of each item or box.

To avoid frustration during the packing process, keep all necessary i t ems such as a marker pen or box tape in an allocated central area.

Rather have too many supplies and boxes on hand than not enough, as this can delay the packing process. You will almost certainly need more boxes than you initially think, says Goslett. Moving companies that sell boxes will normally take back any unused boxes and give you a refund.

You should have about 10 boxes for last-minute items that can be packed only on moving day, such as bedding, clothes and cleaning supplies. Other supplies that will be needed will be the box tape and packing paper or bubble-wrap.

Pack items that are used together in one box, such as an appliance and its detachable parts or books and bookends. If a piece of furniture needs to be di s mantled, pl a c e a l l t he screws, bolts or small parts into resealable plastic bags or envelopes and tape them to the corresponding item.

Pack a bag for each family member with all the personal items they will want immediate access to when arriving at the new home, such as cellphones, toothbrushes or pyjamas. Keep a box or bag that contains all valuable items and important documents with you at all times.

Check with your insurance company what is covered by your home owners’ insurance during the move.

“Although moving can be a stressful exercise, with the right planning and organisation it can be an exciting experience that everyone can look forward to,” Goslett says.