Plan Ahead To Avoid Moving Chaos
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday March 22, 2003
SOME psychologists claim moving home is one of life's more stressful occasions. Anyone who's moved a household, family and pets is likely to agree.
However, according Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) president Chris Fitzpatrick, being organised for the move will go a long way to assist in relieving the pressure. Mr Fitzpatrick recommends planning all the important aspects of the move ahead of time, and following the plan before you even start packing.
He says the first step should be drawing up a floor plan of your new home and deciding where the major items will go.
``You'll know then whether all your furniture will fit into your new home and what should be discarded," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
``Hold a garage sale before you move or simply drop your unwanted items off at a charity shop. Some charities will collect larger items that they are able to sell."
Anything that can't be sold or donated should be disposed of before the move and not packed only to be discarded later.
When you start packing, it is helpful to label everything clearly and box the items room by room.
``Make sure your removalists have a copy of the floor plan and can follow your instructions, about which boxes and which items of furniture go in which rooms. This will save you a lot of time and physical exhaustion when you are unpacking," he said.
Chris Harris says he wishes he'd taken this advice when he and his wife moved into their home three years ago. He and his wife Elizabeth had moved from a much larger house that was full of furniture and collectables.
``The new house was about two thirds the size of the old and we didn't even consider where everything would go until we started unpacking the removal truck and realised it wouldn't all fit in. For the first few days we had furniture in the front yard covered with tarpaulins," he said.
The couple, who now have children, have just bought a new home and are planning the move. Although they are moving to a bigger house, Chris says he's realised with children it is more important than ever to be organised.
``My wife and I can live rough for a few days but with kids we need proper sleeping arrangements, we need to feed them and dress them properly. We can't be randomly opening boxes looking for their favourite toys or toothbrush," he said.
To make the first few days in your new home as easy as possible keep all the essentials available for your last night in the old home and first night in the new home.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury
