Moving Tips
Moving can be a complicated process and it can be easy to overlook fundamental things because there is so much to keep track of. We want to make it as easy as possible for you, so have put together a list of the essentials.
From making sure you have updated your utility companies with your address and moving date details, to having booked your removal firm well in advance, it is important to stay on top of everything. We understand how this can feel overwhelming, but luckily there are ways to keep things simpler, more efficient and take away some of the stress.
Preparing to Move:
- Contact a Removal Firm
Contacting a removal firm (we’d love to help you – Contact Us) well in advance is essential for a streamlined moving day. Let us do the heavy lifting for you and help you transport your life from your old house to your new home, as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible. It is also worth considering whether you’d like to use your removal firm to pack on your behalf. This can save additional time and stress and you’ll know everything will be packaged as safely and securely as possible. - Contact your utilities companies
It is useful to share your new address and moving dates with your utility companies as soon as you can. It means less to do when you move, and it means they can do the administration on their side with plenty of notice. - Get some packing supplies
If you’re not using our packaging services, it is important to get your packing supplies and moving boxes in as soon as possible. It also means that you can start packing non-essential items and remove some stress by making packing a gradual process. - Start Emptying Your Fridge, Freezer and Cupboards
Moving will be easier if you don’t have to worry about transporting consumables. Look at your fridge, freezer and cupboards and start to think of ways to use all the food you have stored. - Create a Moving Folder
Keep track of moving documents, contracts, papers, a moving checklist and contact information. This is useful both in advance of the move and on moving day itself. A hard copy can be much more useful than digital as it doesn’t rely on battery power and can be accessed by anyone who needs it. - Get Rid of Anything You Don’t Need
Purging anything that you don’t need means that you don’t need to pack so much, move so much and that you’ll have less ‘stuff’ to find places for in your new home. It is a great time to donate clothes that you haven’t worn in years and anything else that is taking up space but has stopped being useful. - Make Plans for Children and Animals
Moving day can be quite disruptive for both young children and animals and it can be a good idea to make plans for both on the day itself. Childcare, kennels and catteries may need booking, quite a way in advance.
Packing Tips
- Pack as Far Ahead of Time as Possible
It is likely that you’ll know about your move some time in advance of it happening. That means that you can start packing quite far in advance and this can be a great way to reduce stress levels near moving day by only leaving essentials to be packed at the last minute. Packing out of season clothes, books and special occasion items can be great places to start. - Pack Essentials to Keep with You
You don’t want to have to unpack boxes to look for essential items like phone chargers, medications, paperwork or the kettle on moving day. Make sure you pack a bag for the essentials and keep it with you on moving day. - Use The Right Boxes
Don’t fill your big cardboard boxes full of heavy items like books. Even the strongest removal companies will struggle with these. Big boxes are perfect for lighter items like duvets, pillows and clothes. A large, heavy box is also more likely to break, so keep the heavier items in small boxes. - Don’t Leave Empty Space in Boxes
We don’t want you to pack boxes full of heavy things but leaving empty space isn’t good either as it means items will move around are more likely to break or be unbalanced to carry. Try to balance a box with a mixture of heavy and light items but do make sure it is full. - Tape Boxes Well
Make sure the boxes are taped well. Especially the bottoms, where they could potentially break open. Focus tape where the box flaps meet and around the edges of the box. - Keep Items from the Same Room in The Same Boxes
Mixing items from different rooms will make them more complicated to unpack on the other end. - Label Each Box Well
Label the box with its contents and which room it will go into at the new property. This will make it much easier for the removal firm to deliver it to the right area without having to ask for your guidance. - Identify Valuable Items and Plan For Them
Items like art are things that you’ll want to give extra attention to when you’re planning your move. You can strengthen glass panels in paintings with an ‘x’ across the glass to give it strength and you can then wrap with bubble wrap and/or blankets. Alternatively ask us about fully padded wrap, export wrap and crating. - Keep Clothes on the Hanger
You can get specialised wardrobe boxes for clothes or, alternatively, simply put them in a suitcase or even a bin bag. Keeping them on the hanger will simplify unpacking and hanging clothes on the other end. - Use Towels and Linens to Wrap Fragile Items
Towels and linens are a great option for packing breakables like glasses, crockery and ornaments.
Last Minute Tips
- Make Sure That You’re Fully Packed
Ensuring that you’re fully packed in advance of moving day is important. You’ll be busy enough on the day itself and having to pack anything at the last minute will cause unnecessary stress. - Pack a Cool Bag
Keep drinks and snacks in easy reach throughout moving day to keep you. Consider keeping the cool bag in your car, as opposed to in the removal truck, so you know where it is at all times. - Pack Your Cars
Make sure that your car has been packed with any on the day items you might need or breakables that you want to keep with you.
Moving Day Tips
- Keep Rubbish Bags Handy
Rubbish bags can be great items on moving day from tidying up your old house, to packing items like plants to cleaning your new property. - Name Labels for Each Room
Some rooms will be obvious but if you create printed labels (e.g. Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2 etc.), this will help the removal company easily deliver the boxes to the relevant areas. - Empty the Old House
Make sure your old house is completely empty before you leave it. - Get to the New House Before the Removal Company
It will save time if you arrive at the new house before the removal company, unlock it and label the rooms so that they can easily place your boxes.
Unpacking Tips
- Prioritise the Important things When You’re Unpacking
Making the bed as soon as possible will be a lifesaver when you get to the end of moving day and are desperate for some rest. Equally unpacking the kitchen as a priority means that you’ll have easy access to cooking/drinking supplies when you need them. - Arrange That Housewarming Party
Having a date that you need the house to be ready by will help focus your energy and keep you motivated. It can be too easy to leave nonessentials packed indefinitely. - Keep Yourself Going
It’s so easy to get worn out when you’re unpacking. Put on some music, plan for take away or other easy food and go easy on yourself. If you have take away for breakfast, lunch and dinner on moving day, nobody is going to judge you.
