Moving House

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Moving house in New Zealand is frequently sited as one of the most stressful activities, rating up there with divorce in the stress stakes. To avoid becoming a wreck, be systematic in your preparation, choose a reputable New Zealand moving company and keep your focus on the enjoyment of getting settled into your new home.

Getting organised

• Cleaning: Moving house is the ideal time to reassess your possessions and clear out unwanted or unused items. Clean out attics, storage spaces, garages and cupboards, well in advance. Have a garage sale, sell items through an online auction and classified advertising site, or give your unwanted gear to a charity store. Consider hiring a professional NZ cleaner for the day of the move, to make the day less hectic.
• Packing: It may sound obvious, but many a stressful move has been caused by packing done badly or left until the last minute. Pack as much as you can in the weeks before you move – there are a lot of things around the average home that are not used on a daily basis; these can be packed away in advance. The key to good packing is labeling: make sure you pack in a methodical way, labeling each box with its contents and its destination room in the new house.
• Change of address: Remember to update your address details well before the move. You'll need to contact power, phone, gas and other utility providers several weeks before the move. To redirect mail from your old address to your new house, use New Zealand Post's redirection service, which will ensure no one else receives your mail. Remember to leave contact details at your old address in case of mail or phone calls during the weeks and months following your move.
• Insurance: It's an excellent idea to call your NZ insurance provider to check that you have coverage for the move itself and for your possessions at the new property.

Moving day

• Make sure boxes are labeled, to ensure things will be easy to locate and unpack at the other end of the move. Have several spare boxes – there are nearly always items left over at the end of packing.
• Keep essentials on hand for the day in an easily accessible box. You might want to think about cleaning products, cloths and towels, tea and coffee supplies, basic tools, snacks and any other handy extras.
• Think about your pets and keep them away from the hassle of the move. The noise and unfamiliarity of moving day can scare your precious pets, even before they are forced into a strange new home environment. Why not spare them the bother and drop them off with a friend or family member? If this isn't possible, drop your pet off at an NZ cattery or kennel for the day.
• Remember your little ones - kids will find moving day stressful too. If they are old enough, they can be set the task of packing some of their own things, which they can then unpack in their own room at the new house, leaving you to get everything else done in peace. As with pets, if kids are very young, think about leaving them with an NZ childcare provider for the day. Once moved in, resume familiar routines as soon as you can.
• Keep your mobile phone at the ready, in preparation for any call you may need to make for last minute arrangements with the moving company or your family. Make sure your phone is fully charged and in credit for moving day.
• Plan access for the moving company. Make sure there is plenty of space for the moving truck outside your home and consider blocking off extra parking space to ensure their job is as easy as possible.

Now you're ready to move from old house into new, without stress or hassle. The key is to think the move through and consider any eventualities, meaning that moving day runs as smoothly as possible. At the new house, unpack the basics and take some time to relax and enjoy your new surroundings. You might like to mark the move with a celebratory house warming or dinner party for friends and family.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand moving companies in the NZS.com directory.

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Family images from Flickr: Baby Boots, Kids Classroom and Hands.