Once you have booked the removal men for the day your property completes you have to start the process of boxing up your belongings. Here are a few tips on how to make this easier:
Declutter
You may already have done this for when you listed your property for sale. If you haven’t then this is your first job. It is a very cathartic process and instead of throwing away all your unwanted belongings there are plenty of charity shops and recycling centres on the island that will happily take the items off your hands.
Book removals early
Once you have a completion date then book the removal men as soon as possible. There are only so many companies in Jersey and during a busy period they do book up quickly.
Prepare beforehand
It may seem obvious however when the removal company turns up at your property they are very efficient and if you think you’ll be able to pack while they are in another room then think again. Best to have everything ready the day before and then they can come in and have your items moved efficiently.
Use clear boxes
This means that you can see what is in the box without having to open it up. The other option is to write on the cardboard box but clear plastic boxes are sturdier as well. One of the most common mistakes when packing is overloading boxes. If you reach a point where the box is half-full and starting to get heavy, then top it off with pillows or towels.
Don’t leave empty spaces
Use packing paper, small items or towels to fill empty gaps in boxes. You could even use kitchen paper, tea towels or old rags. The idea is to keep your items securely in place during transit.
Create an inventory
Creating an inventory helps you to keep an eye on all your belongings to make sure nothing is lost throughout the whole moving house process.
Start packing up the least used rooms first
A good starting point will be rooms and items you use the least. The spare bedroom, garage or attic are usually easy places to start. Leave everyday items until the day before the move and keep any essentials items such as medication separately.
Pack a survival box
Pack the things you use every day and night in a separate bag and keep this with you at all times. Items such as medicine, face cream, toothbrush, toilet roll, change of clothes, phone chargers etc will all come in handy.
Take photos
Photograph the wires at the back of your television or any other electronic sets ups. This is a great way to keep track of what goes where when you’re putting everything back together in your new house. You can also take photos of any wall displays, ornament placement, or shelving setups in your current home that you are fond of and wish to recreate in your new place.
