Last Updated on 3 months by David Bergmann
Your move is coming up and you’re asking yourself: “What do I have to do?” and “Where do I start?” You will soon realize: The checklist for the move is long and the days are short. The be-all and end-all when moving is therefore proper preparation for the move! The more carefully you plan your move and the earlier you start, the less stressful your moving day will be. We’ll tell you what you need to bear in mind when planning your move and give you tips and tricks along the way!
- Good planning is everything
- Create a checklist!
- Declutter before you pack
- Get help!
- Pack efficiently
- Prepare new apartment
1. Good planning is everything
A move is a major undertaking and must therefore be well organized. In order to do justice to the long moving checklist, it is important to start planning as early as possible. After all, there is hardly anything more stressful than having a long to-do list in your hand during the hot phase of the move.
The art of making plans is to find the
Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues (1715 – 1747)
difficulties of their execution.
französischer Philosoph & Schriftsteller
We recommend that you start preparing for the move as soon as the new tenancy agreement has been signed. This is also a good time to give notice on your old apartment and apply for special leave from your employer!
It can also be very helpful for you and your moving helpers to keep a written record of the moving process . A well-structured moving day provides security and peace of mind and helps you not to forget anything.
2. Create a checklist!
The first task on your moving checklist should be to create a…checklist! Firstly, there is hardly anything more satisfying than ticking things off a to-do list and secondly, a checklist helps you to keep track and not forget anything.
It is also advisable to create a timetable, where you note which tasks are due and when. Of course, you can also structure your checklist by due date and thus combine the two.
Tip: There are endless different ways to create and structure checklists. You can get inspiration from the Internet. The only important thing is that YOU know your way around and can work well with it!
You can find a comprehensive moving checklist with a timetable here:
3. Declutter before you pack
When going through your household goods, you may realize how much you actually own. And how much of it you don’t use (anymore)! Before you pack everything into the moving boxes, you should think about which possessions you actually want to keep and move to your new home.
Clearing out not only has a liberating effect, but also saves time and money on moving day. Because the less you own, the less you have to transport and the quicker you can finish moving. You can then give away or sell the things you’ve cleared out and improve your moving budget.
Tip: If you need to dispose of large or bulky pieces of furniture, you can hire a clearing company. Many removal companies also offer disposal or recycling for an extra charge.
4. Get help!
A move is a big task and should not be tackled alone. Whether with friends, relatives or a professional removal company – moving together is faster, easier and more efficient!
You also don’t have to do the final cleaning of your old apartment on your own. There are many cleaning companies that specialize in move-out cleaning. Some removal companies also offer “final cleaning” as an additional service.
Tip: If you decide to move with a removal company, you should book them around 2-3 months in advance to reserve your preferred date.
5. Pack efficiently
As with traveling, the same applies to moving: Make your life easier and pack light!
Heavy moving boxes filled with books are almost impossible to carry alone and are also prone to tearing during transportation. To avoid this, you should combine heavy objects (e.g. books) with light ones (e.g. soft toys).
Have at least one separate box ready for moving day, in which you pack all the things you use until the last minute (e.g. hand soap, dishwashing liquid, toilet paper…).
Use all containers (e.g. suitcases, plastic bags, etc.) in the household for the move. You don’t need to buy a moving box for every item. Sometimes a bin liner will do!
Don’t know how and where to start packing? Then it’s best to read “Packing moving boxes – How to get started!” through!
6. Prepare new apartment
Before you unload all your household goods and furniture in your new home, you should prepare it for your move in.
First of all, you should think about where which pieces of furniture should be placed in the new apartment. The best way to do this is to get a current apartment plan from your landlord. You also measure all the walls and your existing furniture. You can then draw the furniture on the plan with a pencil.
It is also advisable to thoroughly clean the apartment again before moving in. Many rented apartments are only handed over “swept clean” , which strictly speaking means that the apartment does not have to be cleaned but only “swept”.
The day before the move, you should also start the fridge and the heating (if you are moving in winter).
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