You are moving home but you would like to do it by yourself. In that case, let’s talk about the many decisions involved in the method of a do-it-yourself move.

Stress is one of the main issues when moving property.

As moving house is such a large undertaking, many people become stressed. You could be one of the lucky ones who handle stress with a grin. The way you contend with anxiety is not just down to the type of person you are.

Understandable steps to help make the move less tense:

1. Take Advantage of Moving Equipment when having to move thousands of items, it is not such a bad idea to invest in few inexpensive moving equipment that can help manage your move more easily. In advance of your property move, collect or borrow boxes, paper, bubble wrap, old blankets and anything else you can think of to assist with packing.

2. Pack Ahead of Time: a do-it-yourself home move requires a lot of your energy. Packing the evening before the home move is definitely not a brilliant idea. You should always have your possessions packed one day before the moving day to ensure you have the last day to pack up all the possessions you forgot about. Start off by packing those possessions you are not going to want or need until you get to your new property; such as DVD’s and kitchen gadgets. The more belongings you pack in advance, the less you have to worry about.

3. Eliminate moving house is a fantastic way to get rid of old inessential things you always kept because you thought you may need them later. Stored magazines, clothing, gadgets and ornaments which are stuck in the cupboard can be disposed of so you have a mess free home. You can either throw these possessions away or simply give them to someone.

4. A list – make sure you write out a list and stick it somewhere prominent, lists are very important. Make a list for everything, list of things you need to acquire, list of possessions that you do not need or want to give away before the move, list of breakable items that need to be handled with care at all times and finally a list of every object you’re moving. By keeping a list and marking off things as they are completed is a great way to keep you focused and less tense on the day you move.

Moving Day – Things to do

Don’t hesitate to ask your family members, friends or team mates to assist you loading and unloading your car/truck. You will be very shocked how much quicker the moving goes with few extra helpers. When the moving day comes, sort out a party and offer sandwiches or pizza and drinks to anyone who decides to come and assist. By doing this people are calmer, and the move gets completed quicker and tempers don’t rise. Youngsters are another thing to think about when the big day comes. Ask around to see if you can get a member of your family to take your children away for the day so they are not in the way. Do allow them to watch their bedroom being packed and let them keep few of their toys to play with during the moving day. If you have a family animal, make sure they have another place to go on moving day if you can. When transferring pets, take care to avoid the animal from getting sick in the car. Anything you may need for your animal, such as water and feeding dishes, need to be packed in a bag marked ‘Pet’ and easy got to when you arrive. Never leave your animal alone in the vehicle when moving. Just like kids, pets need to be kept close, so make sure you have a leash handy if you have to stop.

Truck Hire Companies – How to find a decent business

Often, your vehicle will not be spacious enough to move all of your belongings to your new home and you’ll probably have to rent a truck. The experience of renting a large vehicle will be contingent on you. Here are a few points to take in mind:

1. The first step when getting a rental vehicle is determining the size you need. Remember, your truck should be spacious enough to accommodate 10-15% more than what you own. This extra room makes sure you have enough area and are not left with possessions that don’t fit in. If you don’t have enough room then your stress levels are going to be massive while you scrabble around trying to find extra vehicles.

2. Don’t be fooled into thinking all costs are the same, with so many companies out there you would think they would be, wouldn’t you? Regardless of the hundreds of businesses, this is just not the case. Compare prices from different firms; ask colleagues for recommendations, ring companies and use the internet to search.

3. Renting a large vehicle or a car is a very similar experience. Rather than ending up with a truck that doesn’t suit your requirements, makes sure you book the truck in plenty of time. By organizing ahead your truck will be ready and waiting for you on moving day.

4. Think about getting insurance on your rented vehicle. You may be adept in driving a small vehicle, but driving a larger vehicle is very different. Cost of repairing a van if you make a mistake could be very expensive. By spending a little time ferreting for a large truck insurance policy ensures that you have a less stressful move.

5. How long do you require it for? – Make sure you hire the truck for a period of time thats lets you sort out everything without having to rush. There is nothing more stressful than not having enough time and having to hand the truck back after the return time. The fees for doing so are very big.

Suggestions for taking your car.

If you are one of the lucky individuals fortunate to have a second vehicle, then you need to consider how you are going to transport it. If you can’t find a friend to drive it for you then think about the choices – shipping, towing or taking it on a trailer. Another option worth looking at is advertising it, storing it or giving it to a relative. Before you decide to tow your vehicle, read the manual to prevent any unnecessary accidents from happening and make sure your main vehicle is capable of towing a secondary vehicle with ease. Specialist equipment will be used to tow vehicles such as boats and motorcycles, so organize this well in advance. Ring the dealer who sold you the item if you are unsure on the correct procedures or search the internet.

Delivered in cooperation with Jay Banks, Vancouver real estate agent and BC Moving Guide provider