Lessons gained from moving house – hopefully for the last time

The best intentions – herewith the reason for Blog…..Interrupted.

We made the big move into our new home a month ago. As these things invariably do, it delivered another learning experience. Among the lessons:

 

* When you’re moving house, drop everything else. Take leave from work. Farm out the children. There are dozens of things that you never expected you’d need to deal with. How people fit in moving home and an honest day’s work is beyond me. Maybe they leave it to their wives? Or the day’s work isn’t that honest?

* Don’t rely on the people who put the transaction together. Whether it’s the estate agents, your conveyancers or the seller’s lawyers, the minute they’ve been paid, you’re history. One of these worthies told us to take proof of transfer to the Joburg Metro to register for electricity. Fortunately I double checked – and was told by a very courteous staffer on the phone that doing so would be wasting time I didn’t have as the Metro automatically sends an account once the transfer has been registered with them.

* Budget for unexpected costs and then double the number. Whether it’s the handyman; “must change now” fixtures; telephone and internet connectivity; new curtains; the TV guy…….the list (and costs) is a lot longer than the budget. So play it safe and double your best estimate.

* Get the bedroom sorted first. This is an old trick. In all of our moves, the first thing we get organised is our bedroom – having a comfy, familiar sleeping space to fall into after that hectic first day makes a world of difference. First impressions might not have worked for Jane Austen. But getting off on the right foot with a new home is near the top of my list.

* Keep a good relationship with the seller. We were really lucky here as the seller was someone I’d dealt with in business and knew as an honest, upstanding guy. Even so, having a friendly relationship throughout the process paid off. There can’t be many people like Johan who provide a comprehensive file of everything that opens and shuts; but even with that help we needed to call him a number of times. That was hard enough, Couldn’t imagine what it must be like having to ask a favour of someone you’re fighting with.

* Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by those you least expect. Full marks for service delivery and courtesy to ADT, Vox, Telkom and the amazing guys at Primrose Transport. Big thumbs down to Afrihost (am still waiting for their quote…..) and RSAWeb.

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