House moving tips: Customer edition

Moving into a new house is an exciting milestone in anyone’s life.

The actual moving process? Not so much. 

No matter how you cut it, coordinating movers, cleaning your home and packing all your worldly possessions into neatly organised boxes can be a daunting task. 

The good news is there are a number of things you can do to make your move easier - and nobody knows these tricks better than you guys! We reached out to some of our awesome customers to find out how Kiwis prepare to move house. Here’s what they had to say.

Failing to plan is planning to fail

Sarah from Auckland says the best thing you can do to ensure your move goes smoothly is to start planning early. 

At least two months before moving day, start getting quotes from moving companies (or truck rental costs if you’re going the DIY route) and begin decluttering your home. 

The big day might seem like a long way off, but, as Sarah says, “the more time you give yourself to prepare, the easier it will be.”

Start packing early

“Packing always takes longer than you expect, says Mia from Tauranga. “So don’t just start chucking things in boxes - you’ve got to have a strategy.” 

Start packing early, beginning with the spare room and other areas of the house that don’t get used too often. For the sake of efficiency, be sure to label every box with what it contains, the room it belongs in and whether or not it’s fragile. 

Dismantle flat pack furniture

Not only will dismantling your flat pack furniture prevent it from getting damaged during the move, but it’ll also help you save a big chunk of space in the moving truck. 

Emma from Christchurch suggests keeping all the screws, washers and other bits and bobs in a labelled zip lock bag, so you know exactly where everything is when you get to the new place. Remember to keep the assembly instructions handy, too - you’re going to need them. 

Stay connected

“I hate moving into a new place and not having my Internet ready to go,” says Oliver from Wellington. “So my tip is to give your service providers plenty of warning before you move.” 

A few weeks before you move, get in touch with your bank, water, telephone, TV, Internet and electricity providers and notify them of your moving date and your new address. This will help minimise disruption and ensure your services are ready to go as soon as you move into your new home. 

If you’re a Grey Power Electricity customer you can get your electricity connected before you move by entering your details online or calling us on  0800 473 976.

Packing products: Penny-pinching pointers

Don’t feel like splashing out on purpose-made moving products like bubble wrap and protective blankets? According to Matt from Dunedin, you can save a fair bit of coin by using everyday household items to securely pack your belongings. 

For example, you can use your (clean!) socks to protect your mugs and glassware, organise your cords and cables with empty toilet paper rolls and use black rubbish bags to protect your suits, dresses and other expensive clothes during the move. 

The 12-month rule

Ruby from Palmerston North says you shouldn’t be afraid to be a bit ruthless during the decluttering process. “If you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, there’s probably no point bringing it with you to your new home.” 

Use the move as an opportunity to start with a clean slate. Sell unwanted high-ticket items, donate clothes and appliances to your local charity shop and throw away anything that’s unsalvageable. 

Get a babysitter

Moving day is exciting for the whole family - but that doesn’t mean the kids have to be involved. While the little ones would probably be delighted to lend a helping hand, the reality is that there are going to be all sorts of safety hazards that pose a real risk to young children.

“Trust me,” says Emma from Christchurch. “Save yourself the trouble and get a babysitter or book the kids a playdate.”

Pack a moving day survival kit

According to Arjun from Napier, a well-stocked survival kit is a necessity for getting through moving day. 

The night before the move, put together a pack filled with all the essential items you’ll need over the next few days. This might include snacks, a water bottle, phone chargers, toiletries, cleaning products, scissors, medication, pet food and a change of clothes. 

Being able to easily access all your essentials will save you from rummaging through boxes and allow you to focus on the important stuff: unpacking your things and settling into your new home!

New home, new power company

With competitive prices and an unrivalled commitment to customer service, Grey Power Electricity is the number one choice when it comes to low-cost electricity in New Zealand. 

To find out more, call us today on 0800 473 976 or fill out our online enquiry form and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.