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Change of scene    Are you relocating this summer? For many, moving to a new home is a major event – up there with marriage, divorce and other momentous occasions. Geoffrey Rush looks into minimising the stress     It’s possible a move ‘around the corner’ could be more stressful than a move overseas if it hasn’t been planned properly, so start planning your move as far in advance as you can. It’s a good idea to divide your moving plan into timeframes. Confirm your moving date and work backwards. Think in terms of time chunks: three months to go, two months to go, one month to go… and counting. Three months prior, establish a file with all the details relating to your upcoming move. The file can include an inventory of your possessions, and all the papers such as quotes and conditions provided to you by the removal companies you’re comparing. Draw up a floor plan of your home indicating what in each room needs to be packed, and a floor plan of your new property to determine where your possessions will go. If you’re moving overseas, you need to assess your requirements regarding shipment and whether you can take things such as plants and gas bottles with you. Look into whether your pets will require any vaccinations and start making their travelling arrangements. It can be a good idea to have your pets collected a day or two before you move as they often sense change occurring. Before you contact removal companies, decide which items are going to your new home – and which items need to be disposed of or put into storage. Starting the floor plan process aforementioned will assist you with this. Don’t forget practical matters like ensuring your furniture will fit through doorways at your new address. You are now ready to select a relocation company. In this you will likely be limited to a budget but you should also be aware of intangibles which could cost you more in the long run, including convenience, peace of mind, time constraints, knowledge and risk reduction. The cost is likely to be reflective of these considerations. A reputable removal company should be able to offer you an obligation-free quote. Essential services will include packing, cleaning after the packing is done, storage, transportation, unpacking and insurance. Once you’ve reached the two-month marker, your move will probably seem a little bit more real to you. Don’t panic, as there’s still plenty of time to get the essential things done. With eight weeks to go determine whether you will do all – or some – of your own packing. There may be some items you feel more comfortable packing yourself. Discuss this with the company, as staff will have advice and materials to help you. Confirm with the removal company all the items to be moved – moving costs may alter according to any new requirements you have at this time. Be mindful of the insurance required to cover the move – check with the relocation firm as well as your insurance company to ensure that everything is covered. Any travel visa arrangements should also be sorted by this stage. At this point, you will probably be finalising arrangements concerning your new address. Two months before your move is a good time to do some final swotting up on the new community you’re moving to. Any transfer arrangements between schools should also be made now, and you can start transferring the family’s medical documents. Check that your children’s records – such as immunisation certificates – are in safe keeping for new schools and daycares. With one month (four weeks) to go before you move, start thinking about redirecting mail, newspapers and any publication subscriptions you receive. Inform insurance companies and banks of your change of address, as well as your lawyer, accountant, doctor, dentist and employer. Remember too, to let the phone company and electricity and gas suppliers know when you will be moving out and when you will need to be reconnected at your new address. Start backing up all your computer files to disk and ensure all the food in your freezer is steadily reducing. During this time, eliminate all the junk from your property – the best policy is to be ruthless; if in doubt, throw out. Determine what can start to be packed away and what will be required up until the actual time of your move. The more you can pack now, the better. In the final few weeks before your move, it’s time to start thinking about cleaning your property. For renters, this will mean steam-cleaning carpets and ensuring the dwelling is spotless – you will doubtlessly want your bond back. With this in mind, determine a date for the final inspection of your property and the date that your deposit will be returned. Begin packing in earnest. If you’ve asked your moving company to pack for you, that’s wonderful. If you’re doing all or some of the packing yourself, work logically. Do not fill cartons too full – there are health and safety issues involved. And remember that items such as books are notoriously heavy. Number and label each carton as you complete filling it. Try and keep cartons from the same room together – this greatly assists unpacking at the other end. Always mark which carton the kettle is in. On moving day itself, start as early as you can. Place all essential items not to be taken in the moving truck in a specified place. Ensure all valuables, papers and any items not to be transported are kept separate. Tick off furniture and cartons against your inventory as they are packed into the moving truck. After you have finished cleaning, turn off the gas, electricity and water. Complete a walkthrough with the removal men as they are ready to leave. Do a final check of all storage areas. Finally lock the front door, and start your new adventure. Click here for more on home decorating