1. Book in advance
Whatever confidence you have in doing it all for yourself, it’s advisable to consider professional services to help. Look around for a removal company as soon as you can. Get at least three quotes to compare and book the one you want as far ahead of moving day as you can. Leaving it until the last minute means you may not get the company you want at the price you want – or, worse still, not find anyone reliable who is available.
2. Declutter
Most of us own a lot more than we think, including a host of things we’ve not used for years or completely forgotten about. Why move it all just to throw it away at the other end? Now’s the time to sort out what you want to keep and take with you and what you can say goodbye to. Websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace can be very helpful in finding a buyer for unwanted items, or perhaps there’s a local charity that would welcome your donation.
3. Storage for transport
Your removal company can supply boxes to load up with your possessions but you may also want to get some of your own to label up and pack carefully away, so order plenty of bubble wrap, tape, labels, marker pens etc. too.
4. Start your packing
Even once you’ve thinned out your possessions, it will still take a while to box it all up so start doing that with the nonessential things as early as possible. Clearly label boxes so that it’s obvious which room they need to go in. Number them and keep a list of what’s inside each one, especially when it comes to crucial things for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Some removal companies offer a service to pack and unpack your things for you in advance or on the day.
5. Keep important things secure
Collate things like legal documents and passports and keep them safely with you to avoid any chance of them being lost in transit.
6. Empty the freezer
Frozen food won’t safely survive a move so prepare the menus ahead of moving day to use up what you can before you go.
7.Call on friends and family
Many hands make light work (let’s overlook the possibility that too many cooks spoil the broth) so even if it’s not the physical work of moving your things fromone place to another, they could be very happy to help with unpacking, cleaning or duties like looking after the kids or pets for a while to ease things for you.
8. Update utilities companies
Keep a record of your final meter readings when you leave your old place and take readings of the new place when you arrive. Make sure your broadband supplier knows about your move; it is usually very simple for them to transfer the service at fairly short notice but best be on the safe side.
9. Change of address
As well as the power and telecoms companies, you’ll need to inform lots of others too. Consider paying Royal Mail to redirect your post for a short while to give you a chance to inform everyone. It currently costs £34 for three months. Doctors, banks, building societies, credit and loyalty cards, subscriptions, TV licence, pensions companies – the list goes on, so take a thorough look at your post and filing, and tick them off the list as you call/post/ amend online your new contact details.
10. Keep the essentials close at hand
There are some things you shouldn’t let out of your sight on the big day. Toiletries and cleaning products, phone chargers and plenty of snacks and refreshments should be right on hand.
11. Where’s the stopcock?
Most housebuilders and developers will hand you a ‘welcome pack’ with information about your new home’s important amenities like the power meters, boiler, fuse box, stopcock. Some also take you on a personal tour so that you are familiar with it and can ask questions on the way.
Follow these top tips to making moving that little bit less stressful.
