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The art of moving by Mr K Denk

By: Willem Bosmanner

How to move is an art by Mr K Denk
Every time we move it has been very difficult They claim that moving is one of the 5 most emotional things one can do. I have tried so many options and apart from spending a fortune, it all ends the same. A lot of hassles and pain. To pack the boxes and wrap all my belongings take an incredible amount of time. In South Africa is, is especially difficult with labour very cheap but generally very unreliable and risky. My wife and me have decided to share what we have learned the hard way.
TIPS TO MAKE AN EASIER, LESS STRESSED MOVE:
o Before doing anything else - CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE DATE
Weekdays are usually better as all the banks and shops are open
o BOOK YOUR TRAILER/s and/or TRUCK with U-MOVE-IT(R) See or contact your local U-MOVE-IT(R) Dealer for quotes, packaging and box information and any queries
o Order and collect boxes and packaging at least a month before your move, if possible
o Check our website for our table/s and easy guides
o NOW MAKE YOUR LISTS
- A PACKING LIST
- A TO-DO LIST
PACKING HINTS
o First colour code your rooms - for example make RED the colour for the Master Bedroom, GREEN for the Bathroom/s, ORANGE for the Kitchen - make an inventory sheet for each room and colour code the sheet.
o Try and empty one room first, possibly your guest room, and delegate this as the packaging room - keep all your boxes, packaging materials, tape, etc. in this room - Now, using the coloured stickers provided with your boxes - START PACKING.
o Go through each room and cupboard and identify everything that will not be needed or used immediately.
o Do one box at a time, and add the details to your attached packing slip on the box, and number each one.
o Then - LABEL, LABEL, LABEL - best in top left hand corner...
o REMEMBER - Keep children, husbands and pets out of your moving room - they will never agree to what is needed now or needed later - make a rule - once packed, it stays packed.
You will be surprised at how much clutter is already out of the way.
o Wash and pack unneeded linen, curtains, winter clothes - make sure everything is well dried and aired before packing - sprinkle pot pourri over your linen, lovely for when you unpack.
o Small items can be thrown out when unpacking, try and pack them all in one box or use coloured tissue paper that will make them stand out. Pictures, mirrors, ornaments, small rugs, spare pillows, books, can all be packed away early.
o BE STRICT - go through each and every room and cupboard (don't forget top cupboards) garages, sheds, drawers.
o Will you really need 4 large pots, or two dozen glasses or hobby bits and pieces, or recipe books ? PACK THEM AWAY.
o BE RUTHLESS - There are many organizations that will gladly take your old clothes, linen, books, pots and pans.
o Clear out your grocery cupboard - throw out all those half empty bottles of sauce etc. Go through your children's toys (with them) and take them along to your local children's home or hospital to donate their old toys.
o Get rid of the clutter now - You are starting a new life...
o Detail as much as possible on your box, packing lists and inventories - so very helpful when you come to unpack.
o Try and keep similar items in the same box, - i.e. electrical cords and extensions, or attach them to the appliance.
o Pack a small box with spare plugs, connectors, panel pins, hammer, scissors, screwdriver, screws, light bulbs, candles, matches, torch etc. - if possible keep this box with you or know where it is packed.
o Allocate a box to each member of the family - for items each considers as essential for the first day of survival, to pack out easily and quickly - It will give the children their own responsibility and something to comfort them on day 1
o Many items will not be needed for a while, - keep them together and mark clearly as STORAGE, no need to clutter up your new home with items not needed.
o Don't under estimate how many boxes you will need, add another 10 to your original estimate.
o Fridges and freezers should be defrosted at least 2 full days before the move, dry well and sprinkle with bicarb.
o Parts
SURVIVAL BOXES
You will need at least 3 survival boxes
o One for Packing day
Kettle, tea, coffee, milk, toiletries, toilet paper, clothes for the moving day, comfort toys for the children, pets food. Not forgetting a few plastic glasses and a good bottle of wine......and a take-away.
o One for the road
Kids comfort foods, toys and games, wet wipes, tissues, soothing CDs, map, car cell phone charger, warm clothes, overnight bag, if needed and aspirin - map, personal papers, valuables, money, bank cards etc.
o One for Arrival day
Kettle, tea, coffee, powdered milk, sugar, plastic cups, plates, cutlery, small bag with salt, pepper, sauces, cereals, pets food, candles, matches, light bulbs.
If patience and good humour can be boxed, add this in big dollops - Don't forget another big bottle of good wine
TO DO LIST
For more information visit our website
o Have a little black book and record wherever you can, names, numbers, references dates and times of all the many many calls you will make organizing the move, you may need to refer to it later, keep it with you at all times
o SCHOOLS - Arrange for new schools - ask your current school for recommendations, keep the school informed of your moving dates, and ask them for current reports
o BANK ACCOUNTS - Arrange for the transfer of your Bank Account if you are moving to a new Town/City - don't forget to inform your Medical Aid, Pension Fund, Insurance Company
o UTILITIES -Arrange to have your electricity and water accounts cancelled at your old home and make sure that they will be on at your new address - check and record meter readings - this could save many an argument
o TELEPHONE/INTERNET/DSTV - See your service providers for recommendations for new providers and arrange for disconnections well in a advance. Arrange dates for new connections
o SECURITY - Inform your security Company of your move - find out the security situation in your new location and arrange for a new security provider - it is a good idea to change locks at your new home
o PLANNING YOUR TRIP - Plan your move and make reservations for any overnight stops
o VEHICLE - Get your car serviced and tyres checked
o MAIL - Organize to re-direct mail, and let everybody on your mailing list know of your new address
o PERSONAL - Make up a personal folder of all your documents to keep with you, do a copy as a back up.
o Don't forget to make copies of all your important documents and photos on your PC, - just in case
o MEDICAL - Get referrals from your Doctor, Dentist, Pharmacy and arrange for records to be transferred
o PETS - Visit your vet and ask about travelling with your pet and ways to ease the stress, get a copy of their records
o RETURNS - Make sure all library books, DVDs etc are returned
o CARPETS/CLEANING - Arrange for carpets to be cleaned, and a cleaning service (U-MOVE-IT(R) can help)
o KEYS - Make sure you have made secure rearrangements for delivery and collections of your house keys
o BEFORE YOU DRIVE AWAY
- Go back and check each and every room
- Check plugs, geyser and stove connections are off or safe
- Close all windows
- Check internal keys are in place
- Look in the top of the cupboards
- Check the garage, shed, yard
- And now
DO IT AGAIN
o check BEFORE YOU DRIVE AWAY .....
Map, Lists, Money and cards, survival boxes, overnight bags, ALL the children and pets
NOW GO FORWARD TO YOUR NEW LIFE
ALL OF THE ABOVE MAY SOUND VERY DAUNTING, COMPLICATED AND FRIGHTENING
IT IS A STRESSFUL AND DIFFICULT TIME FOR ALL INVOLVED
BUT
With careful planning, lists, patience and a good sense of humour YOUR MOVE CAN BE ENJOYABLE