The mere mention of shifting house makes Kavita jittery. She cannot forget her traumatic experience few years ago. She had to move in a house which was still under the process of renovation. Haphazard work and disorganised packing left her feeling weak and depressed for months. In the process she also lost many important documents.
Moving house can be very tiring, and is a drain on your physical and mental reserves. But with a little bit of planning and effort we can avoid the nightmare Kavita went through.
Start early
Make a list the moment your shifting date is finalized. This can be your chance to cut through the clutter you have accumulated through the years.
Make 3 sections on the list: "Will Need", "Don't Need" and, "May Kept". Start removing the "Don't Need" things. Don't pile old stuff you want to sell in your new house. Old clothes and children's books can be donated.
Turn some "Don't Need" stuff into "Will Need" things. Cut out used curtains/old bed sheets into dusting/mopping clothes. Add borders or lace to give them a new look.
Next, carve out a space where you start putting you "Can Be Kept" things in marked cartons. Remove excess stuff from kitchen like bowls, spoons, glasses and pack them away. Open these boxes in your new house when you really need them.
Keep those books that add vale to your shelf. Donate the rest to the library. There is no point keeping books you have read when they can give joy to someone who hasn't.
Notify people
Now prepare a list of people who have to be notified about your new address.
Some important forget-them-nots are:
* Bank
* Gas Cylinder
* Insurance companies
* Schools
* Office
* Wherever you have invested: Companies, post office, etc.
* Vehicle registration
* Voter's ID
Most of these would require new address proof. You can get your new address attested in some cases for verification.
You have to terminate certain services and start with new ones in your new home. But first find out if you can continue with them at your new address.
These might include:
* Electricity
* Telephone
* Cable Operators
* Milk delivery
* Newspaper delivery
* Subscriptions
Pack them away
If you have hired professional packers, you don't need to worry about cartons and tapes. But if you have to DIY (Do It Yourself), start planning ahead.
Your first cartons should be full of items that are least used. Showpieces, spare bed sheets, blankets and spare towels are some things that can be stowed away.
Gather all the important documents in one place. Cover with plastic sheets so they don't get wet in accidental leakages while shifting. Make a list of all documents that you have packed.
When there's only a month to go before leaving, pick out few dresses and some night ware. Pack the rest. Make sure the clothes have been aired properly before packing.
For the last few days, make do with only a few pieces of furniture. You can also use floor mattresses and bean bags or stools. Clean rest of the furniture and cover them with sheets. Get all the electrical fittings (including air conditioners) done in advance.
Empty your kitchen towards the end. Remove perishables from refrigerators. Switch it off and clean it thoroughly. If possible, order food the last 2 days before shifting.
Don't forget!
* Get all sizes of cartons, and don't worry about getting a number of small cartons. More small cartons are preferable to fewer heavy boxes.
* Bubble-wrap fragile things. Use your pillows to line and cushion these boxes.
* All poisonous, flammable and perishable things should have their own separate cartons.
* Each room should have its own set of boxes. You can add a stroke of paint brush to help you distinguish them from other boxes.
* Label all the cartons with individual items they carry.
