You’ve found the home of your dreams, the lease is signed and you’ll soon be moving in: all that’s left to do is plan for the move. A few months before the big day, you can already start taking certain steps.

But where to start? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

 

 

1 – SORTING YOUR BELONGINGS
First of all, you need to know what things you want to take with you. Determine what you want to move or not, and donate or sell what no longer suits you. Plan dates for disconnection and reconnection of services (Internet, electricity, etc.) and make your changes of address with the companies and institutions concerned. Also, start collecting boxes in sufficient quantity.

 

2 – PACKING YOUR BOXES
You will have to spend quite a bit of time packing all your belongings into boxes. To make your move as easy as possible, make boxes for each room in your house. Don’t forget to mark them when fragile things are inside. Make your boxes with a clear indication of what is in them and where they will go.

 

 

3 – THE DAY BEFORE THE MOVE
Remind your mover and your relatives of the appointment time. Dismantle all the furniture that can be dismantled. Gather what you will need for the next day and keep it on hand: cleaning kit, markers, tools, etc. Remove your frames and shelves and fill in any holes as needed. Check if your new apartment is available before the move, and confirm the presence of people who will be coming to help you.

 

4- MOVING LARGE FURNITURE
For large pieces of furniture (sofas, wardrobes, beds…) you will have to dismantle them partially in order to be able to take them out of their room and transport them more easily, especially on the stairs or the elevator if you live in an apartment. For each piece of furniture, use a plastic bag to store its screws, and bolts… then tape it to a part of the furniture or write the name of the furniture on the bag.

 

5- MOVE THE APPLIANCES
Make sure to empty the water from the dishwasher and the washing machine. You must also unplug the refrigerator in order to empty and defrost it and then transport it in its vertical position so as not to damage it. Wait a few hours before plugging it back in so that the fluids stabilize. It is recommended to protect the doors and drawers so that they do not open while you are transporting them.

 

 

6- READY TO GO?
Put in your car the most fragile objects and everything that will be useful for the day. Take a last look around the apartment to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and do a little sweeping!