Movers
Tips on How to Manage Stress When Moving Houses
by Business Listings EditorImage by betsssssy via Flickr (Creative Commons)
Moving houses can be a very stressful enterprise: from the planning stage, to the packing, and right down to the actual moving day.
Fortunately, you can lessen your stress if you plan ahead of time and iron out all the details way before the big moving day. This includes searching for a reputable moving company in Singapore and making a reservation as soon as possible.
And to make it easier for you to check if you’ve got everything covered, we break down the moving process into 3 phases or steps.
Planning
Decide on the actual date of the moving day. As much as possible, give yourself 1 to 3 months for the timetable planning. This should give you ample time to coordinate with your moving company, apply for necessary permits and notices, pack your own valuables, and other pertinent things.
Photo Credit: Box town by lovelihood and Pen & Paper by kristiand via Flickr (Creative Commons)
Weeks before the D-day, start compiling your important documents. Inform any organizations you’ve joined like a country club or health spa and gym how to transfer, sell or end your membership.
When your chosen moving company does their on-site inspection, make sure to ask the following: differences in pricing based on the services included in a package, the cost of insurance included and the valuation of items to be moved.
Ask if there are extra charges for conditions like:
- Stairs or lift – if you live on the ground level or higher up the building, and transferring to a higher level. Some movers will charge extra if your flat or unit is not at lift level.
- Packing or repacking – this includes packaging materials (like boxes, markers, tape, packing pads, bubble wrap). Can you save money if you pack your items instead?
- Extra fee for heavy items – i.e. grand piano, king-sized bed, etc.
- Distance – is there a maximum distance of a particular service package? If it goes beyond that, how much would it cost?
- Time of day – traffic notwithstanding, a weekday or a weekend move?
- Guaranteed delivery date or express service
The planning step is crucial as it sets the tone for your move. It’s important that all possible charges are factored into the written estimate, so there wouldn’t be any annoying surprises on your moving bill.
Keep in mind that planning ahead pays off in terms of time, money and stress.
Packing
So, you've already booked a schedule with your moving company and have informed your building management of your impending move.
What’s next? Before you start packing, assess first everything. This is a good opportunity for you to purge – get rid of useless things, excess and unwanted baggage.
So sort, sell, donate what you can, and then start packing. Pack your own valuables and other fragile and delicate memento. Develop a plan how you want your stuff labelled or categorized; for this you need label markers, packing tapes, boxes. You can also color label each box to guide movers which room or area to put down the boxes.
Depending on the situation, consider packing a “moving kit” that you can take with you. The moving kit may include the following:
- Pot or pan, dishes
- Easy-to-cook or instant food items
- Paper towels, cutlery
- Box cutter
- Pet supplies
- Towels, bathroom toiletries
- Light source (flashlight, lamp, candles)
- Moving papers
- Emergency kit
- Extra clothes
You can add any essentials on this list. Just don’t go overboard with it, limit yourself to items that you absolutely need while your things are being delivered.
Of course, pack enough clothes until your stuff arrives, and your legal documents go with you as you move – not with the movers.
Moving Day
Moving day has finally arrived. Boxes are already packed, sealed and labelled; furniture, electronics, and other sensitive items are properly padded. Let the moving day proceed like clockwork by executing a well thought out plan:
- Keep handy your moving permit from the condo or building management
- Recheck moving documents – bill of lading, order of service and inventory list
- Let the movers know where they can park to load and unload your things
- Follow moving requirements of your new residence, some buildings only allow a window period for transporting things to your unit so make sure to check this ahead of time.
- Be a traffic cop – show the movers where to put the boxes and furniture, saving you time and effort once you start unpacking.
Wrapping it up: If you prepare appropriately for your move, you can minimize any hiccups that might crop up.
Moving house? Contact reliable movers in Singapore by checking out our Business Directory.