Moving house is a common situation for Singaporeans, especially as in Singapore tenants can rent an HDB flat for a minimum of just six months. Families often look for better homes and some move due to work or personal reasons.
Moving can be a great opportunity and bring lots of excitement, however, it can also be difficult and stressful if not planned well. You might feel overwhelmed by everything to consider. Without a good plan, moving can become a chaotic experience.
One of the biggest challenges for people moving to a new home is knowing where to begin. By using this detailed housing moving checklist that we have compiled here, you can simplify the process and make your move smoother!
Step 1: Before the Moving Day
Check the Size of Your New Home
Are you moving to a house that’s a different size than your previous one? Perhaps it's bigger or smaller? If so, then checking the size of your new home is the first step that you should do before you start packing.
Comparing the size of your old house to your new one will help you figure out which furniture and items will fit in the new space, and whether any adjustments are needed; such as donating furniture or buying new pieces to make your new home feel less empty.
Accurate measurements will help you better plan the layout of your new home!
Finish Renovation Works for the New Home
Before moving in, it is important to ensure the renovation of the new home is done. You don't want to live in a house that is still under renovation. Not only will it be uncomfortable for you, but the debris or fumes that come from the renovation process can also be dangerous for your health.
Some areas to check to make sure the renovation work is done properly, include:
- Electricity and plumbing
- Paint jobs
- Checking the installment of home appliances (aircon, built-in stove, oven, etc)
- Changing the locks and keys to a new one
Start Decluttering
Next, you can start sorting all of your belongings based on the area per area. For example, you can start from the bedroom, and move on to the living room. It is important not to tackle all areas at once, as this can make your home messy and cause unnecessary stress. During the sorting process, you can start decluttering your stuff by categorizing it into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or discard.
Decide: Do You Want to Hire Movers?
This is an important thing to decide when you’re about to move to a new house, especially as movers can be costly. You can expect to pay at least $200 to $500 for one trip. If you decide to hire movers, choose accordingly, get quotes, and inform the movers of the date scheduled with your apartment management.
But if you’re short on cash and don't have lots of big furniture, consider using or renting a car to move your items. While it might take multiple trips, at least you won't have to worry about paying thousands of dollars!
Take Photos of Your Old House and Every Belonging
Next, don't forget to take as many photos as you can of every corner of your apartment. Photos can be useful if you need to prove that you left your old apartment in good condition, so you can get your deposit back from the former landlord.
Additionally, taking photos of your belongings can also help you to easily notice if anything is missing during the move as it’s very easy to lose track of things during the moving process. Photos can be a great way to help you keep a better inventory of your stuff.
Purchase Packing Items You Need
Purchase all the packing supplies you’ll need. Especially if you’re doing all the packing by yourself. This includes boxes, tape, shrink wrap, and everything else required for packing.
Start Packing
Once you’ve decluttered your belongings, and purchased the packing items you need; it's finally time to start packing! Use sturdy boxes and additional packing materials to ensure your valuables and fragile items are safely transported. Don't forget to label each box with its content and the room it belongs to, so it will be easier for you when unpacking.
Follow Our Packing Hacks:
- Roll your clothes when packing to save more space.
- Pack heavy items in a suitcase with wheels to easily move them.
- Wrapping fragile items with clothes for extra protection.
- Color code boxes to easily track what’s inside the box.
Notify Relevant Parties
Notify relevant parties and update them with your new address. This includes government agencies, utility companies, banks, and any subscription or membership that you have. Also, make sure to keep their contact details handy in case of an emergency!
Step 2: The Moving Day
Packing Essentials Bag
Before loading all of your furniture and staff into the moving van, you should set aside a bag and fill it with essential items you’ll need for the first few days in your new home. You should include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, and any medication (if you need it for daily consumption.)
Having an essential bag on hand will keep you from having to search through all the boxes for any essential items that you need.
Use a Portable Cooler
Perhaps you have leftover perishable food from your old fridge? Don’t throw away anything, as you can easily use a portable cooler to move it all. Fill it with ice packs to keep your food fresh, and quickly unpack and place the items in your new fridge once you arrive at your own home.
Take Photos Before Dismantling a Furniture
For bulky furniture, you should take photos or take notes on how each piece is assembled before dismantling it. This can help to avoid confusion, so you can put every piece together again, as you will have references when reassembling it back.
Do a Final Check
Before leaving your old house, do a final walkthrough to ensure everything is packed and loaded onto the moving vehicle. Check all rooms, storage areas, and attics or basements to ensure everything is packed and ready to transport to your new home. Additionally, don't forget to service your house keys and check if the gas and electricity were disconnected before you leave.
Step 3: After the Moving Process is Done
Clean the New home
Before unpacking and arranging all of your belongings, it is important to give your new home a thorough cleaning as it will be much easier to clean an empty house. If you don’t have any energy to do it yourself as you’re already tired from cleaning up the old house, you can instead hire a professional move-in cleaning service to make your life much easier.
Unpack Efficiently and Strategically
When unpacking, you should also tackle one room at a time and start with the areas you’ll need most. This will ensure that your new home is functional right away. Because you’ve already decluttered beforehand, guarantee unpacking and arranging all of your stuff can be made much easier!
Meet Your New Neighbour
After everything is done, this is finally time to introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Introducing yourself to the neighbor is a great way to build a friendly connection and make you feel more welcome and at ease in the new environment.
Now, It’s Time to Enjoy Your New Home!
Moving can be full of headaches but don't stress too much and instead focus on making the process more enjoyable. By following the steps that we’ve explained above, you can ensure a smooth and seamless transition to your new home!
