The prospect of moving to a new home can indeed be exciting, but it’s also indisputably daunting. However, if armed with the right tips and top moving house tips, the journey from your old abode to your new one can be much more manageable. So, where’s the best place to start? It’s setting the groundwork and appropriately preparing for the move. With our bundled wisdom, you’ll be home and dry before you can say ‘removal company.’
First, enlist the help of a reputable moving company. There’s an adage that states, ‘You get what you pay for,’ and never is this truer than when you’re on the verge of moving home. Your best bet? Splurge on a well-rated moving company. Their expertise and experience will undoubtedly alleviate the bulk of your moving day stress.
No matter the size of your home, you’ll be amazed at the amount of stuff you’ve accumulated over the years. The best moving hacks usually involve sorting, discarding, or donating items you no longer need. This helps minimise the amount of stuff you have to move, making the whole process a lot easier. Equally key to efficient moving is adequate storage. For items that you won’t immediately need in your new home, explore your options with storage companies.
Few endeavours require as much planning and preparation as moving house, and often this can feel overwhelming. To make things more manageable, break down the task into sections. Consider creating a thorough inventory of your belongings. This won’t just ease the packing process but also help when you’re unpacking in your new home.
Make sure to make a list of all the relevant people who need to be informed of your upcoming move. Updating your address is vital to ensure that you are up to date with legalities and that all your services will be moved across seamlessly.
Lastly, to make the transition as smooth as possible, keep a bag of essentials at hand. This small but handy moving hack can include items you’ll need on the final day in your old house or the first day in your new one. Think toiletries, clean clothes, snacks, chargers, and essential paperwork.
So there you have it. These are some top tips to take onboard when preparing for the big move. Remember that moving home doesn’t have to be a stressful experience with the right planning and help from reputable moving companies. So, get out there, follow these moving tips, and make the most of this exciting transition!
Before Moving Day
A moving day might be stressful to think about, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re well-prepared and enlist help from quality removalists, the day should run smoothly.
Create a Moving Checklist
Write down everything that you need to do in order to move house. Keep this master list, and then break down activities to do each day, to help you keep on top of everything. You can make an inventory of the items in your house if you feel this would help you. It can be useful to write down a list for each room and list what needs to be done, for example, “bedroom – sort clothes for the charity shop, pack winter coats ahead of time, sort through makeup and face products.” This way you give yourself small jobs that you can accomplish in good time. You can also use the checklist we have prepared here.
Set a Budget
As you prepare to move home, an essential tip is to set a moving budget. It’s not just about managing mortgage payments, but also considering other costs. This includes hiring removalists, buying quality packaging materials, possible extra insurance, and even maintaining utility services. It’s crucial to factor in these tips in your budget to avoid nasty financial surprises. Keep in mind that decluttering can help save considerable costs.
Declutter and Downsize
Even in a small house, you will be amazed by how much clutter you accumulate. Before you even contemplate packing, you should go through your belongings and decide what to throw out, sell or donate to not only simplify the move but importantly reduce moving costs. You will not regret it come moving day and the removal staff will be glad that they don’t need to shift your excess items unnecessarily. Regard it as an opportunity for a good clear out. You can start this well ahead of moving day, making this an excellent task to begin doing once you plan on moving house.
Prepare an Essentials Boxes
You will need an accessible essentials box for the day. Two boxes work best, one with snacks, a kettle, drinks, and mugs so that you keep everyone fed and watered on moving day. The other box should contain items such as toiletries, medicine, toothbrushes, toilet rolls, phone chargers and a change of clothes which will all be useful for the moving day. Often people put these boxes in their car, so they know exactly where they are, and so that they make a nice cup of tea for everyone when you arrive at your new house.
Pack as Soon as You Can
You’ll almost always need lots of packing boxes and packing materials. Order a surplus, in good time, because you don’t want to run out of boxes right before moving day. We also recommend butcher paper and mattress protectors to ensure there is no damage and your items arrive clean and dust-free at the new property. Start packing your belongings as soon as you can, and spread out your packing over time. This way, you’ll be less stressed about the whole process. Start with one room and do room by room, we recommend starting at least 2-3 weeks before you move.
Book Your Removalists in Advance
Research and book your removalists at least two to three weeks in advance, as removal companies are often fully booked up early on. Be sure to check online reviews and don’t go with the cheapest option.
Inform Your Insurance Providers And Utility Companies
Ensure your home insurance provider and utility companies are aware of the date you’ll be moving out so they can cancel your service. Make sure they’re aware of your new address so they can post a final bill. Often you can transfer the existing services to the new address which is easier than cancelling them and having to start again at the new property.
Redirect Your Mail
A few weeks before you move, start redirecting all your mail. You can either get the post office to do this or as your mail comes in, contact each sender and let them know your new address. You might also want to come back to your old property after a month to see if there is any mail there for you.
Make Sure You Have All Your Papers
Gather all of your important records and documents into a safe space before you move to ensure that nothing is lost. Prior to packing everything, decluttering and throwing away old things you don’t use or need anymore is a good idea, this will also mean the removals have less to move.
During the Move
We all know that the move itself can be tiring and stressful, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself.
Cover Floors And Walls
Protect your floors with coverings, especially if the weather is bad. People will be coming in and out of the house, and it is easy to bring in dirt. If you have very hard-to-move items, it can be worth covering the walls to prevent marks.
Take Pictures of Your Electronics Setup
Photographs can really help. Taking a picture of the wires at the back of your television or any other device to see what goes where when you are reassembling can save time and confusion. If you wish to recreate identical settings in your new home you could take photos of any wall displays, shelving setups or ornament placement in your current residence as a handy reminder.
Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
Moving day is long and tiring, so make sure you have plenty of breaks and lots of drinks. Ensure you have a box with drinks, kettle and biscuits so that you can keep your removal team well supplied.
Supervise the Loading Process
Make sure you know what is going on. When you get to the new house, you will need to know what is going where so that you can instruct your removal team.
Handle Children and Pets with Care
If possible, have children and pets looked after by a friend or relation on moving day. If you do have them with you, make sure your pets are shut securely away, and that children are kept with you at all times. Older children will benefit from being given a small job to do.
Have Your Essentials Box Ready
An essentials box is essential! Make sure you have food, drinks, snacks, and a few basics like a kettle and mugs for the day. Pack an overnight bag as well, so that you have pyjamas and toiletries for the evening.
Inspect Your New Home Before Moving In
Your new home should be left in vacant possession, and in good order. Walk around and check it when you first arrive. It can be helpful for you to walk your removal team around as well so that they know the layout of the house before they start unloading.
After Moving
Finally, you’ve made the move. The movers were fantastic, everything went smoothly and now, there are dozens of boxes in your new home waiting to be unpacked. The sight can be quite daunting but worry not. There are easy moving hacks that you can use to make unpacking and setting up a lot less stressful. After moving day there will still be work to do. Make yourself a plan and don’t do too much at once!
Unpack Strategically
One common moving hack involves setting up bedrooms and the kitchen first. These are the spaces you’ll use most often, and having them set up means you’ll have a quiet place to sleep and eat. This way, even if other parts of the house are still in disarray, you’ll be able to maintain a level of normality.
Your boxes should hopefully be in the rooms where they need to be unpacked. If you’ve labelled your boxes properly, you’ll find that sorting through them is a breeze. Once you have organised your kitchen and bedroom, then sort out the bathroom. The sitting room often takes a while, but it is worth taking your time and setting it up properly so that it is nice and cosy. Good lighting is incredibly important and can make a place feel like home. Aim to unpack and set up your lamps and other light sources as early as possible to provide good lighting while unpacking and instil warmth in your new environment.
Unpacking and setting up after a move doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With some patience, planning, and utilising moving hacks, you can rapidly transform your new space into a home. It’s all about identifying what’s most important and getting it done efficiently to make your new home livable as swiftly as possible. You got this!
Update Your Details
Make sure you have done all your change of addresses. Royal Mail’s redirection service is a great resource that ensures that you don’t lose any important correspondence that you may have forgotten to change your address with. Your services should have been all set up before you moved in, but if not, make this a priority so that you don’t have problems with your bills further down the line.
Take Time to Settle In
It can be easy to get fixated on finishing the unpacking, but getting to know your local area is also incredibly important, and will help to make you feel more settled. Spend time walking around and checking out the local community by visiting pubs or shops in the area to make you feel at home.
Decorate and Personalise
Once you have unpacked everything, you will be able to see what your new home really looks like. It can be hard to imagine it when you view a house with someone else’s possessions in it. Often a new home isn’t decorated in your style, or needs a touch-up, so spend some time planning how to make it yours.
Relax and Celebrate
And relax! Remember that moving house is the start of a new chapter, a new adventure. So make the time to relax and celebrate your new home.
Extra Moving Tips and Tricks
Communication is key. The better you communicate and coordinate with your removal team, the smoother the process will be. Reliable movers simplify the task of moving home. It’s best practice to schedule your removals at least three months prior. Be sure to provide precise instructions to your movers about items of unique value or those requiring special handling. This supports a smooth move, with reduced risk of damage. Remember, these removal tips are meant to make the process easier. After all, the ultimate goal is a hassle-free move punctuated by professional service and proactive communication.
Enjoy a Smooth Move With The Team at Excalibur Removals
In conclusion, our tips make moving home less stressful. Booking your removal company, informing your insurance and utility companies, redirecting your mail, and ordering boxes early are significant steps. Decluttering, preparing your boxes and furniture for the big day, and gathering keys and other essentials are also integral parts of moving. For a smooth move, consider taking pictures of your home, visiting your new area, and using professional services. Remember to create a checklist, use quality packaging material, and label all boxes. Hopefully, these tips will make your moving day more bearable. After all, a new home is not just a change of address but a fresh start. If you are looking for a professional removal company, look no further. Excalibur Removals are here to provide a professional, flexible and personal removal service for you. To discuss your forthcoming move with us, simply contact us today.