Arranging your move
You need to decide if you are going to hire a removal company or if you are going to move your possessions yourself. Issues that might affect your decision could be the distance involved, the volume which has to be moved and the costs.
If you do decide to use a removal company, make sure that you choose a reputable one.
Make sure that all your requirements are made clear up front, establish what your expectations are and what the removal company offers.
Discuss the cost of the move. Does it include boxes and packing, and insurance if anything is damaged or misplaced? Insurance cover is normally an optional extra.
Things to do
Make sure that the household insurance for your old house is cancelled, and that your new house is covered.
Hire packing boxes if they are not supplied by the removal company.
Start packing the items that you don’t use often. It is easier to pack one room at a time.
This is a good time to clear out items that are no longer used. These could be donated to a charity.
Arrange for the final reading of your electricity, telephone and other services.
Arrange for the connection of electricity, telephone and other services in advance, so that when you move in everything is connected.
Cancel deliveries of newspapers, milk and bread – or arrange for them to be transferred to your new address.
Do not stock up on frozen foods, as you must defrost your fridge and freezer for the move.
Moving tips
Mark and list your boxes to show where they must go, so they can be put there directly.
Boxes that contain breakables should be marked “Fragile”.
Draw up a plan to show where your furniture must go, so that you don’t have to move it yourself later.
On the day of the move, pack essentials – like a kettle, tea, coffee, cool drink, some food to snack on, cups, plates, matches, paper-towel, knife, tin-opener, light bulbs, toilet paper, screwdriver and candles. Keep these items on you – together with any valuables, cash and the keys to the new house.
On the day of the move, turn off all electrical appliances and take note of any readings.
Arrange with the post office to have your post redirected to your new address.
Who to notify
the local electricity and telephone departments
companies handling your life insurance and assurance policies
any rental companies with whom you have agreements – TV, M-Net, security
your doctor, dentist, optician and other healthcare providers
your employer
friends and family
your bank
the post office, for change of address
Emergency telephone numbers
Make sure that when you move in, you have all the relevant emergency telephone numbers for your new area.
After all this is done and you are settled in you can sit back and enjoy your new home.