In Singapore, about two-thirds of the population lives in HDB flats. The Housing Board has strict laws regarding every aspect, including various contractor service guidelines. Of course, living in an apartment on the seventh floor is a bit challenging, especially when you have to move bulky furniture. What’s more, you must be careful with all the fragile electronics and collectables.
For this reason, moving house in Singapore must always come with a bright plan. Indeed, hiring movers to help you out is an essential part of the process. Still, it would be best to prepare everything carefully to minimise the hassle and costs. Luckily, these five tips will give you an idea of how to pack and unpack before calling house movers in Singapore.
Make a list and measure your furniture
Arguably, the first thing to do before you call a house moving company is to make a list of your items. Typically, you can do this by walking through each room in your HDB flat. That way, you’ll quickly sort out the essential things from the clutter. At the same time, you won’t miss anything in the process.
Of course, many homeowners find it tempting to take everything with them. However, it would be best if you took the occasion as a chance to clean up the unwanted stuff. Everyone probably has junk items that hold sentimental value. Still, you should see potential clutter as your main enemy in your new home.
Also, don’t forget to measure every piece of furniture before leaving. That way, you’ll have a better idea of whether they fit in your new floor plan. Besides, some things can’t fit in the lift, so the movers will have to deliver them up the stairs. Unfortunately, such a service will cost you extra charges, especially if you live on the upper floors.
Buy packing materials
Perhaps, you haven’t had such a big move in a while. In such cases, you better buy all three of these essential packing materials – cardboard boxes, plastic containers and bubble wrap. Of course, you can always do it without these items. Still, they will save you time while ensuring your belongings remain safe without any damage.
Cardboard boxes
Undoubtedly, cardboard boxes are the go-to packing material for every move. Of course, you can try plastic or textile bags, but they are too uncomfortable. Besides, they can easily tear apart, resulting in damaging fragile items.
Luckily, cardboard boxes come in various sizes, allowing homeowners to separate fragile from other items. That way, you’ll transport your clothes and books in no time and store away things like lamps and electronics.
Plastic containers
A waterproof plastic box is another easy way to move your laptop and computer parts. Indeed, they are a bit expensive, but they are far sturdier than cardboard containers. Besides, most containers are transparent, allowing you to identify every item quickly.
Bubble wrap
Sometimes, neither cardboard boxes nor plastic containers can save soft porcelain, ceramics, glasses or wall art. Luckily, bubble wrap is generally cheap and will protect every surface from unwanted damage. Alternatively, you can use foam peanuts to cushion your box sides in case of unexpected collisions during transport.
Plan and label
After you pack everything, it’s time to plan where everything will go and label it. Surprisingly, many homeowners miss this step, which often results in wasting time when it comes to organising your new home. Therefore, it’s best to dedicate specific boxes with items for each room they belong to in your new home.
Also, don’t forget to separate your toiletries and foodstuffs from the rest of your packages. That way, you won’t have to go through all your belongings when you move into your home. Make sure you bring any valuables such as jewellery, watches, rings, and others. Sometimes, accidents happen, and your home content insurance may not cover the total value if they disappear.
Prepare your essentials
Usually, moving house takes a few days and sometimes even a week to finish. Therefore, you should prepare your living essentials in a backpack or a duffel bag. The typical list includes fresh clothes, bedsheets and pillow covers, toothpaste, toilet paper, phone charger.
In some cases, you may include general or specific medication. Either way, don’t start your journey unprepared because delays may happen, and that may catch you off guard.
Get quotes from several moving companies
Last but not least, make sure you hire the right moving company. Typically, you may have a friend or a relative who can recommend a mover. However, it’s always best to do your research and go online. Thankfully, Homees is a platform that specialises in listing the best contractors and movers in Singapore. The website will help you find multiple moving companies in your area in no time.
In such a case, the best thing you can do is find at least three local firms that you can call and ask for quotes. When you talk to them, ask about the charge rate, extra charges that may emerge and whether they offer insurance. Of course, don’t forget to check the customer reviews before picking a local moving company.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are several things to do before calling a moving company in Singapore. Of course, you can always pay extra and make the house mover pack up instead of you. However, nobody will organise your stuff better than you. Therefore, planning everything is a no brainer. In the end, taking a few precautions will save you tons of time and unwanted headaches.