young lim moving home

Packing up is one aspect of moving that few think much about, that is until you are faced with the prospect of having to put several decades worth of belongings into cardboard boxes.

boxes for moving home

And that’s where our story begins, with me sorting out my possessions and trying to squeeze them all into 30 boxes.

how to pack for moving home

Here are some quick tips on boxing up your belongings when prepping for a move:

  1. Plan your time wisely so you don’t have to pack in a rush. It’s easier to plan your packing in batches over several weekends, so you can go through your belongings to see what can be discarded. 
  2. Moving to a new home is a great opportunity for decluttering, so be firm in your decision over what to bring and what to throw away. Small trinkets that tumble out of forgotten corners in your store room can be directed to the garbage because if you don’t even remember you had it, there’s no point keeping them. Not sure how to get started? Get some professional help for your decluttering here.
  3. Do your research and find a good mover. Here are some tips on how you can save on your moving cost.
  4. Buy lots of masking tape for sealing up your boxes. One roll of masking tape is probably good for sealing up three medium-sized cardboard boxes. Also ask for enough bubble wrap to protect your fragile items. Not sure how to pack? Learn how to do it here. 
  5. Have markers on hand to write down your name, contact number and a general description of the contents of each box.
  6. Number your boxes and create a checklist, so that you can keep track of how many boxes you have (in total) as they are being loaded into the truck.
  7. Provide the moving company with the exact number of boxes as well as the various pieces of furniture you have. This allows the company to give you a concise quotation of the cost for moving and storage if necessary. Here are some solutions if you require additional storage space for your items before your new home is ready.
  8. State clearly on the invoice regarding the number of boxes and every piece of furniture in the truck. And be sure to get the delivery men to countersign on the invoice as well. This helps to minimise misunderstanding over missing or damaged items upon delivery.

 

Apart from the tips above, something else I realised in the course of my packing was that a reputable mover should always have plastic bubble wraps and shrink wraps available to pack fragile items, such as beds, chairs and paintings. Do not leave it up to fate by allowing the movers to load your mattresses or armchair onto the truck without properly wrapping them up first.

 

protect your furniture for moving home

I found my mover through a referral from a friend. It’s helpful to ask around to see which movers provide reliable service. A google search online shows that incidents regarding damaged pieces of furniture and scratched surfaces happen frequently, often because the homeowners settled on the movers offering the lowest rates. So remember that cheap doesn't necessarily mean reliable, and if you want to ensure a hassle-free move it pays to invest a bit more.

pack wisely for moving home

Moving out can be an emotional experience for many, especially if you've been living in your current home since you were a child. So be sure to leave time for yourself (and your family) to bid goodbye to the home, so that you can all look forward to starting a new life in your new abode. When you ensure that your belongings are boxed and transported properly, you will encounter less hurdles with the unboxing when you move in to your new house. 

 

In the next episode, find out what happened when I brought my interior designer to my resale flat…