Just a week after Russell Brand filed for divorce, moving vans arrived at Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s $6.5 million Hollywood home; although it’s unclear whose belongings were being taken out of the property. Whether it was Katy or Russell, this moving out is another stress on top of their divorce.

Whatever the reason for your relocation, moving to a new place is never easy; more so, when you’ve never moved before. There are so many tasks to accomplish, decisions to be made, costs to pay, and hard work. But if you know the basic steps to do and if you carefully prepare for it, then there’s less stress. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Contact a removalist you can trust. If you’re in Sydney, you can enquire at Always Moving Stuff, a reliable removals and storage specialist that helps in furniture removal, transport work and storage facilities. They can pack, move and store any house or office furniture, from small fragile items to large bulky furniture.

• Take an inventory of your possessions. Donate to charity usable furniture you won’t bring to the new house. Throw away the compiled junk inside and around your house. Sell surplus items through a garage sale, second-hand shop or online auction. Return rented videos and books. Label correctly and clearly your boxes so they can be placed in the proper rooms in the new house.

• Visit your insurance agent to cover the move. The removalist’s liability is limited and does not cover the lost or damaged goods while in transit. Get a special insurance policy for your furniture removal.

• Disconnection of services. Inform your service providers for electricity, water, phone, Internet, cable TV, newspaper delivery, gardening, etc., about your move. Arrange a schedule for the disconnection or cancellation of services.

• Advise the post office of your move. Have your post office re-direct your mail to your new address. Ask for change of address kits to notify friends and associates.

• Pack breakables or fragile items yourself. Although your removalist can do this for you, try to pack them yourself if you know how. If you let the removalist pack for you, observe how they do it.

• Get plenty of boxes. You don’t know how many cartons you’ll need to pack everything and you’ll always find something else to pack. Have an assortment of carton sizes because you’ll need small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for small ones.

• Feel the weight of your boxes. The box is heavy if it weighs over 40 kilograms. Carrying very heavy boxes could cause you health problems. Also, if it’s too heavy, the box may not be strong enough to hold it.

• Empty your appliances. Make sure you consume perishable foods in your refrigerator and properly seal other goods before putting them in the box. Totally drain your washing machine. Ensure that there’s no fuel in the lawn mower and other equipments.

• Pack and transfer valuable items yourself. You should personally pack and keep your cash, passport, jewellery, legal documents, and medical records.

Moving to your new house means new opportunities and a new life. Plan and organise your move properly so you don’t start your new life with stress.