First aid for moving

Start planning on time

Moving house is not an activity to be underestimated. So it’s best to start several months in advance. Go ahead and put these things at the top of your planning schedule.

• Make a checklist. Write out a schedule where you divide all the things you have to do into phases. That schedule can stretch from three months before your move to the weeks after. 
  Tip: Dockx has already made such a checklist for you.
• Research whether you want to call on professional movers, who can make your move worry-free and completely according to your wishes, or whether you prefer to move with the help of your friends and family, which will save you some money. See what items or furniture you need to move and which moving option is the best choice for you.
  Tip: movers are often more readily available and sometimes even cheaper during the week, rather than on weekends. 
• Buy moving boxes. Everyone has some boxes at home, but sufficiently strong boxes are crucial for a smooth move. When buying, keep in mind the carrying weight; it’s best to choose double-layered cardboard. After all, you don’t want a box full of vases to give out just when you pick it up. That’s why Dockx has specific moving boxes for different items.
  Tip: You will need 25 to 30 moving boxes for a small amount of household items and 60 to 75 moving boxes for a large move. 
• Don’t be afraid to rent equipment. A move will go more smoothly if you don’t have to carry that giant sofa or washing machine down from the third floor. Don’t hesitate to rent a moving van, ladder lift, and other moving aids if needed. 
  Tip: read our blog on how to choose the right moving van.
• Calculate the cost. Buying or renting a new house can involve a lot of expenses, but don’t forget that moving also costs money. Drawing up a budget for this in advance helps you avoid unexpected expenses.
• Talk about it with your children. A move can be an important transition for your children, so having an open conversation with them will make the actual move much easier. You can check out the best ways to move with kids here.

Do your administration

Moving house is not just a practical matter; it also involves a lot of administration, from contracts and premiums, to mail and subscriptions. Getting that in order in the months before your move is no luxury. 

• Make sure you change the address for all your subscriptions (such as internet and phone), in addition to water, gas, and energy connections in time.
  Tip: It may take a while for your internet provider to come and install your new Wi-Fi. So planning that several months in advance is a good idea to avoid not having access to the internet. Should this still be the case, you can rent a wireless connection like the one from Tadaam.
• Make sure all your magazines, newspapers, and mail go to the new address. bpost has a service to do this automatically.
• Make sure the home insurance policy takes action from day one in your new home. This way, there is no in-between period during which you won’t be insured if something goes wrong.
• Update your address with your local municipality in good time.
• If you have a cat or dog, update your address on the central animal database.
• In some cases, you will be entitled to a grant or premium to pay for your move. So check your options, if you live in Flanders, Brussels, or Wallonia.

A smooth moving week

The week of your move finally dawns. At that stage, it’s best to plan all the very practical things.

• Number and identify your boxes. When you fill a box with objects, indicate what is in the box. You can also plan which room a particular box should go into, and make a note of that too. This way, it’s faster and easier to furnish your new house.
• Arrange care for your children and/or pets. If you have young children, or pets that could get in the way, it’s a good idea to leave them with someone else beforehand.
• Be careful what you pack. For example, you don’t necessarily want to put highly flammable products or other liquids in a box. A bottle that might open is best put in a plastic bag, a flammable solution should preferably not be placed in a sealed box.
• Pack fragile items well. Tip: want to be more eco-friendly and not use a lot of disposable padding? Then try wrapping fragile items in blankets and towels.
• Clean your old house. Movers often overlook this, but it is important to clean your old house for the owner or new residents. So plan enough time for this.
• Moving is an intense job, so provide snacks and drinks for yourself and the movers.

Planning a move? Then be sure to check out our range of Dockx moving vans and our moving solutions.