Moving house can be a stressful experience, but doing so during the summer in New Zealand comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities. The warmer weather, longer days, and school holidays can make summer an ideal time to relocate, but careful planning is essential to ensure a smooth and stress-free move.
Here are ten tips to help you achieve the best summer house move in New Zealand.
1. Plan Your Move Well in Advance
One of the most critical aspects of a successful summer move is early planning. Summer is a peak moving season in New Zealand, so starting your preparations as early as possible is crucial.
Benefits of Early Planning
- Flexible Scheduling: Early planning allows you to choose a convenient moving date and time.
- Availability: Movers and rental trucks are in high demand during summer, so booking early ensures you get your preferred service.
- Cost Savings: Some moving companies offer discounts for early bookings, helping you save money.
Actionable Steps
- Set a Moving Date: Decide on a moving date at least two to three months in advance.
- Book Services Early: Contact moving companies, truck rental services, and other necessary providers to book your move.
- Create a Timeline: Develop a timeline for your move, including tasks like packing, decluttering, and notifying utilities.
2. Choose the Right Moving Company
Selecting the right moving company is essential for a smooth summer move. Take the time to research and compare different companies to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
How to Choose a Moving Company
- Get Multiple Quotes: Obtain detailed quotes from several moving companies to compare prices and services.
- Check Reviews: Read online reviews and ask for recommendations from friends and family to find reputable movers.
- Verify Credentials: Ensure the moving company is licensed and insured to protect your belongings during the move.
- Understand Policies: Clarify the company’s policies on packing, delays, and damages.
Actionable Steps
- Make a List: Create a list of potential moving companies.
- Request Quotes: Contact each company and request a detailed quote.
- Compare and Choose: Compare quotes, reviews, and credentials to select the best company for your move.
3. Declutter and Downsize
Decluttering your home before the move can significantly reduce the volume of items to be transported, saving you time, effort, and money.
Benefits of Decluttering
- Lower Moving Costs: Fewer items mean lower transportation and packing costs.
- Easier Packing: Less clutter makes packing and organizing more manageable.
- Fresh Start: Moving into a new home with fewer belongings gives you a fresh start.
How to Declutter
- Sort by Category: Go through your belongings category by category and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
- Use the “One-Year Rule”: If you haven’t used an item in the past year, consider getting rid of it.
- Sell Valuable Items: Sell items of value through online marketplaces or garage sales.
- Donate: Donate usable items to local charities or thrift stores.
Actionable Steps
- Schedule Decluttering Sessions: Set aside time each week to tackle different areas of your home.
- Create Piles: Make piles for items to keep, sell, donate, and discard.
- Follow Through: Ensure you follow through with selling, donating, and discarding items before your moving date.
4. Pack Efficiently
Efficient packing is crucial to ensure a smooth and organized move. Proper packing can prevent damage to your belongings and make the unpacking process easier.
Tips for Efficient Packing
- Gather Supplies: Collect packing materials like boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and tape well in advance.
- Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home.
- Pack Strategically: Pack heavy items in smaller boxes to avoid overloading and pack fragile items with plenty of cushioning.
- Use Household Items: Utilize towels, blankets, and clothing to wrap fragile items, reducing the need for packing materials.
Actionable Steps
- Create a Packing Plan: Develop a schedule for packing different areas of your home.
- Collect Supplies: Start gathering packing materials early. Ask friends and family for any spare boxes or supplies they might have.
- Pack Gradually: Begin packing non-essential items first and work your way towards essentials as the moving date approaches.
5. Consider the Weather
Summer weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable, ranging from hot and sunny to sudden rain showers. It’s essential to consider the weather when planning your move.
How to Prepare for Summer Weather
- Stay Hydrated: Keep plenty of water on hand for you and your moving team to stay hydrated in the heat.
- Protect Belongings: Use waterproof materials to protect your belongings from unexpected rain.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear light, breathable clothing and sunscreen to
stay comfortable and protected from the sun.
Actionable Steps
- Check the Forecast: Regularly check the weather forecast leading up to your moving day.
- Plan for Shade: If possible, arrange for shaded areas to take breaks and keep cool.
- Pack Weather Essentials: Have a kit with essentials like water, sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas.
6. Organize Utilities and Services
Ensuring that utilities and services are transferred or set up in your new home before you arrive is crucial for a smooth transition.
Steps to Transfer Utilities
- Notify Providers Early: Contact your current utility providers (electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.) to inform them of your move and arrange for disconnection.
- Set Up New Services: Arrange for the connection of utilities in your new home to be completed before your arrival.
- Confirm Dates: Double-check the dates for disconnection and reconnection to ensure a seamless transition.
Actionable Steps
- Create a Utilities Checklist: Make a list of all utilities and services that need to be transferred or set up.
- Contact Providers: Reach out to each provider to schedule the necessary changes.
- Confirm Arrangements: Follow up a few days before the move to confirm that everything is on track.
7. Use Professional Packing Services for Fragile Items
While packing yourself can save money, consider hiring professionals for fragile or valuable items to ensure they are adequately protected during the move.
Benefits of Professional Packing Services
- Expertise: Professional packers have the experience and materials to pack delicate items securely.
- Time Savings: Hiring professionals for certain items can save you time and reduce stress.
- Insurance Coverage: Many moving companies offer insurance for professionally packed items, providing additional peace of mind.
Actionable Steps
- Identify Fragile Items: Make a list of fragile or valuable items that may require professional packing.
- Get Quotes: Contact your moving company to get quotes for packing services for these items.
- Schedule Packing: Arrange for the packing service to come a day or two before your move.
8. Take Advantage of Longer Days
Summer in New Zealand means longer daylight hours, which can be advantageous for your move.
Benefits of Longer Days
- Extended Moving Hours: You can start your move earlier and finish later, giving you more time to complete tasks.
- Better Visibility: Longer daylight hours provide better visibility, making loading and unloading safer and easier.
- More Time for Unpacking: With more daylight, you have extra time to start unpacking and settling into your new home.
Actionable Steps
- Plan an Early Start: Schedule your moving activities to start early in the morning.
- Make a Daylight Plan: Organize tasks so that those requiring daylight (like outdoor activities) are done first.
- Use Evening Hours: Take advantage of the longer evenings to unpack and organize your new home.
9. Prepare Your New Home
Before moving day, ensure that your new home is ready for your arrival. This includes cleaning, any necessary repairs, and setting up essential utilities.
How to Prepare Your New Home
- Deep Clean: Perform a thorough cleaning of your new home before moving in.
- Check for Repairs: Address any necessary repairs or maintenance issues.
- Set Up Essentials: Ensure essential utilities (electricity, water, internet) are connected and functioning.
Actionable Steps
- Visit Before Moving: If possible, visit your new home a few days before the move to check its condition and make any preparations.
- Hire Cleaners: Consider hiring professional cleaners if you’re unable to clean the home yourself.
- Prepare a Moving Day Kit: Have a kit with essentials like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, snacks, and basic tools.
10. Create a Moving Day Survival Kit
A moving day survival kit can make your moving day more comfortable and less stressful. This kit should include essential items you’ll need during the move and immediately after arriving at your new home.
What to Include in Your Survival Kit
- Important Documents: Keep all important documents, such as IDs, contracts, and medical records, in a secure, easily accessible place.
- Basic Toiletries: Pack toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and towels.
- Clothing: Include a change of clothes and sleepwear.
- Medications: Have all necessary medications readily available.
- Snacks and Water: Pack snacks and water to keep everyone hydrated and energized.
- Phone Chargers: Ensure you have chargers for your phones and other essential electronics.
- Basic Tools: Include a small toolkit for assembling furniture and handling minor repairs.
Actionable Steps
- Make a List: Create a checklist of items to include in your survival kit.
- Pack in Advance: Prepare your survival kit a few days before moving day.
- Keep it Accessible: Ensure the kit is easily accessible throughout the move.
Conclusion
A successful summer move in New Zealand requires careful planning, organization, and a bit of strategic thinking. By following these ten tips—planning your move well in advance, choosing the right moving company, decluttering and downsizing, packing efficiently, considering the weather, organizing utilities and services, using professional packing services for fragile items, taking advantage of longer days, preparing your new home, and creating a moving day survival kit—you can make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your new home and the exciting opportunities that come with it.