Whether for pleasure or obligation, a change of home always represents a certain burden. The third cause of stress among English people, after mourning and dismissal, a relocation is far from insignificant. It is also an opportunity to settle down and organize things. With good thinking beforehand, the move can be more fluid and fatigue limited. Small tricks for the D-day, administrative steps to anticipate or distribution of boxes, some advice are to be noted not to be taken by surprise. Discover also the good ideas of a storage coach, to move in with serenity and limit the disorder.
Once the relocation is done, it's time to move in! Receiving the boxes and distributing them properly is no easy task. In the middle of the furniture, a cheerful mess accumulates. There is a lot of stuff and organizing this transition requires a bit of thought. Going room by room is a good start, starting with the places you need the most, like the kitchen or bathroom. Also think about all the administrative logistics. By contacting suppliers upstream, you make sure you have electricity on D-day, for example. Take a look at our checklist of things to remember for a successful move.
Get organised by anticipating key administrative steps
If it is part of the move that is often dreaded, the administrative steps are necessary to be well in your new home.
Among the first things to do beforehand (about a week before D-Day), contact the electricity and gas supplier in the commune but also the companies that manage your internet and telephone subscriptions. A few days before, notify your insurer of the change of accommodation so that you can take advantage of the home insurance as soon as you move in. A key point in the event of a problem.
Once in the new house, read the water, gas and electricity meters. Also write your name on the door and mailbox. For mail, go to the Public Service website where a page dedicated to change of address allows you to choose the organizations concerned. In order to forward mail, a temporary transfer to La Poste gives you time to be sure that your new address is taken into account.
Making the day of the move easier
Before you start packing, a few precautions are customary to simplify the day of the move. Since you're often surrounded by friends or family who have come to help, prepare some easy-to-eat things and drinks. A small survival kit with light bulbs, tools, garbage bags, toilet paper and paper towels will always come in handy.
Also bring a cleaning kit with some rags, a vacuum cleaner, a mop and a household product for emergencies. The big clean-up will wait until the boxes are finished! If the dwelling has common areas, protect the stairs to avoid any problems with the neighbourhood. When the movers arrive, also make sure that all the boxes are there.
Preparing as well as possible for the first days in the new home
Even with the best will in the world, the first few days after moving in are often a bit chaotic. There are still a lot of boxes and the markers are gradually being put in place. The best thing to do then is to prepare yourself to live for a few days without all your things, far from your little habits.
Take advantage of the move to (still) sort out the items.
Crucial step at the time of the relocation,sorting your belongings is necessary for packing but also for unpacking. Black spot in the house: administration often represents an important but useless volume. We go to the Public Service website to find out which papers to keep and how long they should be kept. The operating instructions for certain household appliances can be put in the trash, for example. Many people are afraid to throw them away and don't dare to do so. But it's now or never". When unpacking the boxes, if the sorting has not been done before, it's time to put aside what you want to keep, what can be given away and what is too damaged to have a second life. Clothes, dishes, books, etc. are concerned.
Take your time organizing your new home
To get an idea, we count about a weekend for the bathroom and the kitchen. Another one for the parental bedroom. And so on. No need to hurry. No worries if two months later there are still a few boxes. However, keep the remaining boxes in sight so you don't forget them.
Provide a place for everything in the house...
When entering the new home, everything must have a dedicated place in a suitable piece of furniture. "Some of the furniture may need to be changed to optimize storage," suggests the coach. The most important thing is to avoid keeping a tote box with used batteries, useless objects and other items gathered at the last minute when moving."
Avoid scattering and proceed piece by piece.
If the relocation was done in a hurry, the boxes were not well sorted. When unpacking, by opening all the boxes at the same time without really emptying them, they remain on the floor and take up a lot of space, giving the impression that they are not moving forward. In other words, every box that is started should be finished without being put aside if you're not sure what to do. Once again, everything has its place.