Discover the steps involved when moving house, including preparation, packing, and settling in. Understand how long each stage typically takes to ensure a smooth and organised house move.
The average time to move house in the UK in 2024 is 154 days, or around 21 weeks. However, the period between agreeing a sale and legal completion depends on a variety of factors.
Some of the most common challenges people face when moving house include time management, packing and organisation, managing paperwork, and unforeseen delays.
Moving house can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process smoother and more manageable. By planning ahead, staying organised, and getting help when needed, you can significantly reduce the stress of moving house.
This guide will provide a timeline of the house moving process to help you understand how long each step stakes and how to prepare for moving house.
Key Steps to Take Before Moving House
In the pre-moving stage, preparation is key. These steps will help set a solid foundation for a successful move.
Create a Moving Plan
Having a comprehensive moving plan is a critical first step. This could involve deciding on the moving date, creating a timeline of tasks, and identifying any specific requirements related to your move. It’s also a good time to research moving companies and get quotes. A thorough moving plan helps in avoiding last-minute chaos.
Develop a Moving Checklist
A moving checklist acts as your roadmap throughout the move. This checklist should include tasks such as decluttering, packing, notifying necessary parties, transferring utilities, and so on. You can break down the checklist into weeks or days depending on your timeline, helping you stay organised and ensuring no tasks are missed.
Create a Budget for the Move
Moving house can come with unexpected costs. It’s essential to budget for expenses like removal services, packing supplies, storage units, and possible hotel stays. Having a clear budget will help you control your spending and prevent any unpleasant financial surprises.
Where Should I Start?
Once you have your plan, checklist, and budget in place, it’s time to delve into the specifics.
Declutter and Organise
Start by going through your belongings and decluttering your home. This includes clothes, books, kitchenware, and miscellaneous items. Keeping only what you need reduces the volume of goods to move and can save you time, effort, and money.
Hold a Garage Sale or Donate Items
Once you’ve decluttered, you can sell items that are in good condition but not needed. This can be done through a garage sale, online marketplaces, or local consignment stores. Alternatively, consider donating items to local charities or recycling centres.
Hire Professional Services
For a stress-free move, consider hiring professional moving services. They can handle the heavy lifting and ensure your belongings are safely transported. Be sure to hire a reputable company and check their insurance policies.
Gather Important Documents
Ensure all your important documents like passports, birth certificates, and medical records are in one place. Keep these in a safe and easily accessible location during the move.
Inform and Update
Notify relevant parties of your move. This includes your employer, banks, insurance providers, and subscription services. Don’t forget to inform friends and family too.
Transfer Utilities and Services
Before you move, ensure that utilities such as water, electricity, and internet services are disconnected at your current home and reconnected at your new place.
How Long Before Moving House Should I Start Packing?
Ideally, start packing non-essential items a few weeks before your move. Leaving packing to the last minute can lead to stress and broken items.
Pack Room by Room
This method helps keep items from the same area together, making unpacking at the new home much easier. Use clearly labelled boxes to avoid confusion.
Handling Fragile Items
Ensure fragile items like glassware, artwork, and electronics are packed securely with proper padding. It may be worth investing in professional packing services for these items.
One Week Before the Move
With one week to go until your move, it’s time to finalise key details and ensure everything is on track.
Final Confirmations
One week before moving house you should confirm moving arrangement with your moving company and helpers.
By confirming moving arrangements ahead of moving day, you can ensure everyone involved is up to date with the moving schedule, drop off location, and any special instructions.
It also helps to avoid last minute surprises. At this stage, if someone drops out or unexpected issues arise, you’ll have plenty of time to find a replacement and make alternative plans.
Prepare for Moving Day
It’s a good idea to write down all the tasks that will need to be completed, including packing and cleaning. Assign these tasks to family members and helpers ahead of time to ensure nothing is overlooked and so they know the role they’ll play on moving day.
Take your time to sort through paperwork and important documents, such as contracts, moving-related paperwork, and personal identification. Keep all important documents in a folder with you, along with any valuables or sentimental items.
Don’t forget to check garages, lofts, and wardrobes to ensure nothing is left behind. Go through each room and check all your belongings are packed and accounted for. If you have hired movers, communicate with them to check all items have been loaded into the van.
Moving Day
On the day of the move, do a final walkthrough of your home to make sure nothing is left behind. Guide the movers and clarify any special instructions. Once everything is loaded, do a final check and lock up your old home.
After the Move
After moving into a new house, focus on unpacking essential items, like toiletries, clothing, kitchenware, and bedding, to make your new space feel like home.
After a busy day of moving, don’t forget to take a moment to relax and appreciate your new surroundings. Enjoy your first night in your new home to celebrate a successful move after a long day.
Conclusion
Moving house, while challenging, can be a smooth process with careful planning. Remember, preparation is key, and ensuring each step is executed in a timely and organised manner can make your move successful and less stressful.
Don’t rush the process; take your time to plan, prepare, and proceed with the move, turning this milestone into a pleasant experience.
If you’re looking for professional assistance, Excalibur Removals are here to help. As a trusted removal company, we’re here to assist every step of the way.
Don’t wait! Explore our range of professional and reliable removal services today!