03/16/09
The Big Move
Yay! The house is sold. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed? Here are some tips to help you plan for your removalist.
Allow at least 4-6 weeks and use every ounce of spare time to work towards moving day. Next, really assess your new home, if possible take a tape measure with you and measure spaces. Note down the number of built-in cupboards, shelves, drawers and power points. In your current home look at what you have and whether you can accommodate your items effectively in your new home and draw basic floor plans. Two weeks prior to moving start decreasing food items in the fridge.
Measure your furniture and decide what stays and what goes. Be discerning, remember - practical before treasured, treasured before obligated. Obligated items are usually not of your choosing. These items probably served a purpose in your current home and given in the goodwill of helping with that purpose, however, whoever gave them to you, gave them away. So say ‘bye-bye' to guilt! Nevertheless, check with the giver if you're unsure before donating or discarding.
Culling Notes: We wear approximately 20% of our clothing 80% of the time. Only keep that 20%. In fact, apply this rule as you work through each room culling. Be honest with kitchen appliances, if it's been in the back of the cupboard for some time - let it go.
Create four piles. Sell; Donate; Discard; Keep, and work through each pile in that order. Because selling can take time - start early. Anything that doesn't sell goes into one of the other three piles. Donations = charities and friends & family. The Keep pile then needs to be grouped in preparation for your removalist. Thus,
- Large appliances.
- Small appliances and electricals (e.g. lamps) boxed and un-boxed.
- Media equipment - TVs, audio, computers etc.
- Large furniture, beds, cabinets, lounges etc.
- Small furniture, side-tables, basketware, stands, plastic crates etc.
- Outdoor furniture, sports and play equipment.
- Tools, Lawn Mowers etc.
- Large boxes (tea chests).
- Small boxes (book/wine boxes).
- Bags of linen, clothing etc.
- Stuff that can go in the car such as food, Esky, immediate items.
Other Tips:
- Clean, dry and drain big appliances e.g. fridges; freezers; washing machines.
- Remove shelves from fridges, wrap and store separately.
- Get cable ties or string - tie up all cables.
- Remove glass plate from microwave, wrap.
- Remove light bulbs from lamps.
- Remove wheels from beds. Wrap mattresses in plastic. (avail. from storage companies).
- Remove removable shelves from bookcases - pack separately.
- Tape cupboard doors shut with masking tape.
- Use smaller boxes for books, photo albums and heavy items.
- Consider hiring a professional organiser to help you!
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