So, Where Do You Start?

It's not an unusual question to be asked; in fact, it's completely understandable. If you have a home or even an apartment, there is always some concern over where you start in preparing for the move to your new home. There is, after all, a lot to get done - organizing every item that you have, wrapping them, packing them and then getting them onto the moving truck.

The best advice that we at Sage can give you is to get started as early as possible. In fact, as soon as you know that you will be moving, you should start to compile the moving checklists that famously make the whole moving experience so much easier.

I've been asked many times about which checklist is the most important and if they are really that great. I always reply that they are all important and that if they are compiled properly, they are very effective. The thing is not to go overboard; remember they should help you not confuse you or stress you out!

One time, we were shocked to find one client with 18 checklists on a clipboard when we arrived to load up. She had individual checklists for each room (including the back yard) for both the house the family was leaving and the house they were moving into! Obviously, she was very stressed.

There should be one main checklist comprising all your possessions, but with four or five check-boxes - wrap, pack, load-up, unload, condition. You can easily segregate each room on the list so there is no need to make checklist after checklist.

However, it is a good idea to checklist even the non-packing aspects (utilities closure etc) and on a separate list. Also, try to structure things by stages. The first one should detail absolutely everything in your home, even things that you're not moving, then the second can detail what is being moved.

Which brings me back to the original question. Where do you start? Start with a cup of coffee, some good music, a pen and paper and then draw up a careful, stress-free, room-by-room plan on what needs to be done. Just don't leave it until the last moment; six or eight weeks before moving day is fine!