First off, pack yourself an essentials box with all those useful bits that you’ll need throughout the day of the move itself. As a starter for ten, useful things to include are:
- Tea, coffee, milk and sugar (packet of biscuits optional!)
- Disposable cups, plates and cutlery
- Toilet roll
- Kitchen roll
- Bin bags
- Snacks and drinks for the kids
- Dog or cat food (if you have four legged members of the family) plus bowls for food and water
- Hand towel
- Drying up cloth
- Bottle opener/corkscrew (for the celebratory bottle of something once you’re in!)
- Multi-purpose surface cleaner (in case of accidents!)
- Phone charger
Then on moving day, all you need to do is pop the kettle in as well and you’re good to go! Keep your essentials box in your car, so it’s the first thing you unload when you get to the new place.
The good news is that, as you’re buying a new-build property, all the appliances in the kitchen will be brand new too, which means less cleaning. However, as with any new appliance, you will need to do a couple of things before you can start to use them.
You may want to think about packing a couple of dishwasher tablets and some liquid or powder for the washing machine in your essentials box as well, so that you can pop them on a short cycle whilst empty. That way they’ll be prepped and ready for when you want to use them. Read the instructions on your appliances first of course, as they do vary.
On the subject of appliances, if you have an integrated fridge and freezer in your new home, make one of your first jobs checking to ensure that they are switched on. That way, if you are moving food from your old freezer, you can pop it straight in. Again, check the instructions before you start.
A final tip relates to your front door keys. It’s so easy to lock yourself out on moving day, so the minute you collect your keys to your new home, get two more spare sets cut.
It may seem inconvenient, especially with so much on, but it’s so easy for the front door to close behind you as you are going in and out unloading boxes and furniture from your car or van. Having a spare set to hand can prove invaluable. And save you a lot of money in emergency locksmith’s bills…
