The wise man once said “Ïf you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else”. In case you didn’t know already, there is a heap of planning required to move house and there is even more that goes into moving to another country. It can be difficult to know where to start when you are faced with a house full of contents and need to load it all into a shipping container or a moving truck. However, planning is the key to success and if you take the time to do it right, your home move will be much smoother and less stressful than anticipated. Here are the top tips from the wise man on moving abroad:

1. Start Planning Your Move Early

The sooner you start planning your move, the better. This is a major advantage to reduce the stress the comes with moving house. Starting early gives you more time to declutter your home, research furniture moving companies and get things in order. If there is anything money can’t buy, it’s time and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Don’t be the one hoping you had more time, start early, give yourself plenty of time and plan weeks in advance. You don’t even have to do it all at once, set some goals to achieve weekly, like declutter one week, tackle packing of the lounge room another week and so on.

2. Declutter and Downsize Before Moving

This is one of the most important things you can do before moving home, let alone to another country. Get rid of anything you don’t need, use or love because the more items you move aboard, the more it is going to cost you. Large furniture items could be purchased at your new location. If you are moving long distance you may want to check the size of the moving truck with the moving company, this will give you a rough idea of the amount of room you have to work with. Usually, the golden rule is if you haven’t used it in 12 months, chances are you won’t miss it, so donate or recycle it.

3. Pack a Suitcase of Essentials for the First Few Nights

When you arrive in your new home, you will want to be able to freshen up and feel human again. This is especially important if you have travelled for a long time and are exhausted from the move. Pack a small suitcase with your essentials like clothes, toiletries, phone charger and anything you need quick access to. The last thing you want is to go looking for what you need in the hundreds of boxes that look identical.

4. Hire a Professional Furniture Mover

Packing and moving furniture is hard, especially if you have never done it before. Not only is it physically demanding, but it can also be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Save yourself the hassle and hire a professional furniture mover. If you are moving to Christchurch New Zealand, then get a few different moving quotes from Christchurch movers. Likewise, if you are moving long distance between Auckland and Dunedin then get a few expert moving quotes and don’t just accept the first or cheapest that you are presented with.

5. Label Everything

Labelling everything might seem like a pain, but it is worth it in the long run. Not only will it help you when you are packing and unpacking, but it will also help the movers to know where things go. When you are organising your home move, take the time to clearly label each box. A little effort here can actually save you hours in the long run.

To conclude, home moving can be a daunting task, but if you take the time to plan and organise everything in advance, it will make the process a lot smoother. By following the tips from the wise man, you can reduce the stress of moving home and enjoy your new adventure abroad.