Moving home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. Here are our top tips to make your move as easy and stress-free as possible.
1. Make a Moving List
To remove stress, preparation is key, so it’s never too early to start getting organised for your move. Don’t wait until the week before your move to start preparing for it! As soon as you know you’re moving, make a list of everything you have to do and when, in order of the time in which you have to do it, counting down to moving day. Make a checklist with everything you need to do such as finalising contracts, booking a home survey, booking storage facilities, and updating your old address to your new one.
2. Choose the right removals company
Firstly, you need to figure out how you’re going to move and what level of service you need. You could pack everything yourself and hire movers to load and unload it. Alternatively, you could go for the full packing, removals, and unpacking service. Make sure you choose a reputable removals company to avoid damage to items and ensure your move is completed in a professional manner. Research companies, read reviews, check what the quote includes, and choose the company that is best suited to your needs.
3. Declutter before Packing
Before you start packing, sort and declutter your home to cut down the amount of stuff you have. Have a clear out of any old or unwanted items and donate, recycle, or throw away anything you no longer need. The less stuff you have, the less you have to pack, and so the quicker, easier, and cheaper packing will be and you’ll save yourself time, stress, and money.
4. Make a Packing Plan
Packing always takes longer than expected, so making a plan and starting early will make this less stressful. You can break down the packing into smaller more manageable parts to make it less daunting by going room by room, starting with the rooms you use the least. Label each box with the room it will go in in your new home and note a few items that are inside the box. You can even make an inventory and draw a room plan that labels where your furniture will go in the new house. Remember not to overpack boxes, as they may break and then damage your belongings. Also, if you need to put anything in storage, now is the time to book this too.
5. Organise Paperwork & Utilities
Organise important paperwork and utilities in advance, including:
- Organise important documents like passports, house deeds, and insurance in one box and keep it where you won’t lose it.
- You’ll also need to sort out final bill payments on gas, electricity, and water and notify each provider whether you’re leaving or transferring to the new address.
- Be sure to take photos of final meter readings to make sure you don’t pay for someone else’s utilities.
- Transfer your TV license and broadband to the new address.
- Use the Royal Mail redirection service to forward your post from the old address to your new address.
6. Have Realistic Expectations
Finally, have realistic expectations of how much you can get done. You’ll probably want to get everything sorted as soon as possible, but you’re not going to be able to unpack your entire house in one day so don’t be too hard on yourself. It may help to keep a survival kit of essentials that will help you and your family get through the day with ease, such as toiletries, phone chargers, and snacks, and remember to keep a kettle, tea and coffee handy so you can have a well-deserved cuppa once you’re in your new home.
