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Top 10 Tips for Moving Home

Moving home soon? Follow these top 10 tips to make it as stress-free as possible.

Key takeaways

  • Make sure you start packing and getting organised at least four weeks before moving day 

  • An 'essentials box' will be a lifesaver when you arrive at your new place gasping for a cuppa

  • Labelling boxes (on all sides!) and creating a room plan for furniture will help you get everything in the right place pronto.

You have only weeks until you have to move all your worldly belongings from your old home to your new one.

It’s a huge task, but with careful planning, you won’t be tearing your hair out. Here are our top tips for a stress-free move.

 

1. It’s never too early to start getting organised

As soon as you know you are moving, start planning by writing down what you need to do and when.

Make a start on whatever you can ahead of time. Try not to leave it more than three to four weeks before the big day.

We can help with everything from mortgages to removals, and from broadband to home insurance.

 

2. Don't compromise on removals

There are different removal options depending on your budget and how much stuff you need to transport. 

You could opt for a packing service, or simply get people to help you load and unload furniture and boxes you’ve packed yourself.

Get at least three quotes and go with the one you feel is best suited to your move, rather than the cheapest.

If you haven’t got much stuff, a van and one person to help load and unload could do it. Or you could ask a friend with a large car. 

 

3. Start packing early

Many people put off packing as they can’t face such a mammoth task. Break it down into achievable parts and it will seem a lot less daunting. 

Alternatively, pay extra and get the removals company to do it all for you. They can sweep the entire contents of a house into boxes in a matter of hours. 

 

4. Bags are just as good as boxes

Boxes are a moving essential. But bags are also pretty good for any odds and sods. 

Zipped laundry bags are good for moving linens, clothes and coats, shoes and other non-breakables.

IKEA bags and reusable supermarket totes are also very useful to collect in the weeks before moving.

 

5. Label boxes and keep a list of what’s where

It sounds obvious but so many people forget. Put the labels on more than one side so you can see what’s what when they are piled high. If you’re really organised, make an inventory of what is in each box, especially if some items are going into storage.

 

6. Check your furniture will fit through doors

Misjudging the size of entrances and doors is a classic moving day problem.

Flatpack furniture you previously built yourself is often the biggest cause of grief. 

If it needs to come apart again, find out by taking measurements and give yourself plenty of time to do it.

Check feet and arms on big sofas are removable. Let the removals company know if you need a window removed or a door taken off its hinges. Double-check they are insured to do it.

 

7. Create a 'room plan' for your new home

Draw up a sketch of where furniture will be placed in each room. 

You can always move it again but it saves time deliberating on the day and keeps the removals company happier.

Label furniture according to your room plan. Print out and dish out copies of your room plan to the removers.

 

8. Keep wires organised

Remember those Christmas lights and how long they take to disentangle? Save yourself from this hassle when moving.

If you have a multitude of wires going into one device, use sticky coloured labels or number each part to match one end to the other.

Spend time organising and winding up wires neatly before you move. You will thank yourself later!

 

9. Pack an 'essentials' box

Pack the kettle, tea, coffee and milk last, so you can unpack these first. You will deserve a cuppa by the time the boxes are in!

Keep remote controls, phones, phone chargers and any other essential items you are likely to lose in the same ‘bits box’ so you know for sure where they are.

Keep real valuables and important papers separately somewhere safe.

 

10. Make your bed as soon as possible

Make a note of where your sheets and bedding have been packed. And put them onto your mattress when you first arrive at your new home.

You’ll appreciate it at the end of the day when you don’t have to do that 'one more thing' before you can sleep. 

And relax! You have made it to your new home and there’ll be plenty of time to unpack the rest of the boxes.

 

Source: Zoopla October 2021