Chances are you’ll make at least one household move in your lifetime and most of us make several. Moving house can be disruptive to your normal routine and is especially stressful if there are children involved, so you’ll want to plan your move carefully.

Proper planning and preparation can save you time, stress, and most importantly, money when transporting your furniture and other household goods.

Assuming you’ve already arranged to move your utilities such as electricity and phone to your new home, the key components to a successful household move are planning the physical transport of all of your possessions and furniture. 

Do You Really Need Everything?

Take exact measurements in your new home and decide well in advance what stays and what goes. Most of us accumulate unused items that reside in an attic or basement. Pick an afternoon -- or a day -- to go through those items carefully. Some can be tossed, others given away and others may suit your new space much better than they fit your old one. Household items that you no longer need or want may be sold at a yard sale or given away.

You might be surprised to discover the number of unnecessary items you’ve held on to that are taking up valuable space. The fewer items you take with you, the more cost-efficient your move will be. 

How to Transport Small Items

You’ll want to get cardboard boxes in various sizes and it’s always best to get more than you think you will need. Make sure you have sufficient tape, labels, and some permanent markers.

Labelling the boxes with which room the contents belong in will make it easier to remember which rooms they should be delivered to, and if you place matching labels on the doors to the rooms in your new home your movers will be able to move in and out without having to continually ask where to place the boxes.

Small and heavy items such as books should be packed in smaller boxes, labelled and taped securely. Pots and pans that are not in daily use should be packed away. Dishes and glass should be packed individually and wrapped in bubble wrap, newspaper or towels for cushioning before being packed. 

Transporting Fragile Items

Televisions, computers and other electronic items should also be wrapped in bubble wrap, or even sheets or towels before being packed and labelled. Pictures and mirrors can be taped in pairs with the glass facing inwards and packed in specially made boxes. Small bathroom and kitchen items should be packed in smaller boxes and clearly labelled. Anything that might leak should be placed in a plastic bag before placing in the box. 
 
 

How to Move Furniture

Furniture can be moved as is but you may want to pad table corners and cover expensive inlays or decoration. All sheets and bedding should be removed and bed frames taken apart. Lampshades should be removed and packed in boxes large enough to allow for extra room but sturdy enough not to be crushed. Wrap cords around floor lamps and secure them with tape.

Clothing on hangers can be hung in wardrobe boxes and smaller items packed in suitcases or boxes.

Even small children can help with the packing. Enlist your children's help when moving house by placing smaller boxes in their rooms and having them pack their own toys. Its essential you tape jigsaw puzzle boxes and board game boxes before packing.

Jewellery and other valuable items should be wrapped well and taken with you in your car. Another important box you’ll want to keep track of is your ‘essentials’ box. This one should also go in the car with you instead of the removal vehicle. This box should include:

- Prescription drugs

- Important papers

- First aid kit

- Light bulbs

- A flashlight

- A roll of toilet paper

- A box cutter or pair of scissors to open your boxes

- Cleaning supplies

- Rubbish bags

- Snacks

- Anything else you’ll want to have handy when you arrive in your new home. 

One last tip: if you can, try to move during a weekday. Most people move on the weekends so as not to miss work but you may be able to avoid parking problems at your new home by planning a move when most people have driven their cars to work. 

Find Affordable and Reliable Delivery Options for Household Moves

ANYVAN.com, the Delivery Auction Site can be an invaluable resource when planning a move to a new home. ANYVAN.com is a web-based service that allows you to receive and compare bids from transporters who are already travelling to the area where your new home is located- letting you find the cheapest delivery quote for your  household move.

Registered users can contact experienced movers directly to ask questions and to compare prices and services to help with transporting furniture or boxes for a household move prior to making a final selection, and can also gain access to feedback and recommendations from other customers.