MOVERS' GUIDE

Careful planning and organisation can make moving a pleasure. Here are a few tips to make things easier.

Moving out - Packing

• Make an overall plan = always allow twice as much time as you expect to need.
• Spread the workload, start with things you rarely use.
• If in doubt, chuck it out.
• Pack everything into small boxes you can easily carry and mark the boxes clearly.
• Transport valuables such as passports, jewellery, bank books, etc. in a small locked case and take it personally.
• Pack a "Survival Kit" consisting of kettle, teapot, tea/coffe, milk, sugar, plastic cups, teaspoons, towels, soap, loo paper, candles, matches, corkscrew, tin opener, elasto plaster, scissors, aspirin and some change for a phone call.

"Things to do" - Checklist

• If you live in rented premises, try to fulfil all the conditions of the lease (filling in holes, cleaning carpets, cleaning curtains/blinds, painting, etc.). And clear up the matter of the deposit.
• Phone several removal companies for the best quotation and book the actual day of moving. Try always to use a reputable company.
• Insure your new home and its contents from the day of removal onwards.
• Arrange - well in advance - to have your telephone transferred or if disconnected complete a new application. Alternatively, arrange for Change of Rentership.
• Advise the City Council's Electricity and Water Departments of your moving date and arrange for meters to be read at either end.
• Arrange for appliances to be disconnected / reconnected.
• Notify your local Post Office in writing of your forwarding address.
• Cancel deliveries of papers, milk, etc. and organise new ones.
• Send out change of address cards (with new telephone number if applicable) the week before you move. Some addresses to remember: Doctor, Dentist, Bank, Insurance Co., Employer, Receiver of Revenue, The AA, Department of Internal Affairs (Identity Documents).
• Make special arrangements for your pets (get new name tags), they might get lost in their new surroundings.
• Organise exchange of keys.
• Before leaving check that everything is locked / shut / switched off / disconnected. Double check.
• Leave the place as you would like to find it.

Moving In

If possible, get your new home thoroughly cleaned before you move your furniture in - it will probably be the only opportunity you will get to scrub the whole place down.

On Arrival

• Unpack "Survival Kit".
• Settle your pets.
• Check the water is on.
• Plug in kettle.
• As soon as your bed is unloaded, make it up - you may not have the energy later.
• If you are using a removal firm, arrive first. Direct operations, but do not interfere.
• Hang curtains.
• Lay the carpets.
• If there is a spare room, move all the boxes into it and then, working from there, move into the other rooms one by one.

End of the Day

Have a bath, go out to dinner. Collapse happily into the ready-made bed, sighing "HOME, SWEET HOME".