A 15-STEP GUIDE TO MOVING HOME
Looking for moving house tips? It has been said that moving home is one of the most stressful things you will ever do, and with good reason. There are many details to consider both before and on the day of your home move which, if seen to in good time, will increase the likelihood of everything going through without a hitch. To make things easier, and ensure no factor goes unconsidered, JB Removals & Storage has compiled a comprehensive moving house checklist so that, when the time comes, you can feel confident every detail is under control. From redirecting your mail to the move day itself, this house move checklist is a step-by-step guide for anyone wondering about the best way to go about packing, removals & storage. 1. Arrange a move date Whether buying, selling or renting, there are several factors that will determine your move date. Fridays are common as this leaves the weekend to unpack and organise, but since this is the most popular date it can be wise to aim for a different day of the week if possible. Coordinate this with your solicitor or estate agent. 2. Inform your landlord (if you’re renting) Gone are the days when tenants are tied into six-month leases, but you will need to give your landlord a month’s notice before your intended move-out date. Give more notice if possible. It goes without saying you should clean the property thoroughly before handing back your keys. Your landlord will deduct money from your deposit if there is damage to the property or furnishings. Check your lease for what is expected of you and there is no harm in phoning up beforehand to ask what sort of a standard is acceptable. Some degree of wear and tear should be OK. Refer to your terms and conditions. 3. Redirect mail and phone number Despite many utilities being paperless these days, you will still need to contact your debit and credit card providers, phone company, DVLA and, if you are self-employed, HRMC to notify them of your change of address and move date. Remember about your doctor, dentist, schools, gym, employers and so on. You can simplify the process by using the post office’s change-of-address service which will redirect all your mail and can be kept in place for up to twelve months to prevent anything going astray. Subscriptions such as Amazon and Netflix should be changed, too. 4. Amend your voting address This may not be a matter of urgency but make a note that it needs done. 5. Have a good clear out before the move People tend to accumulate material possessions, and it often takes a house move to realise just how much stuff you’ve gathered over the years. This is the best time to clear out anything you no longer need. Be brutal. If you’re unlikely to use it again then get rid of it. It’ll make unpacking easier and save money on removal costs. Donate or recycle. Sell it on Ebay to make some extra cash. Many charities are happy to collect anything that can be reused. List it on Freecycle. Purge anything you’re not going to use again. Less is more when it comes to moving day. Start running down fridge and freezer contents. Return library books. 6. Choose a removals company There are many removal companies out there, offering everything from the removal alone to a full packing service. Despite an abundance of local directories, Google will be your go to. Phone around and speak to them; ask what you can expect from each one, how many porters they will provide, and what the typical pre-removal procedures are. You can request a quote that includes a packing service, packaging materials and any other specifications you may have. Prices will vary depending on the size of your home, flights of stairs, accessibility issues, distance and other factors. Decide if you are going to roll up your sleeves and help or stay out of the way and leave it all to the experts. 7. Order packaging material The best place to start is with your moving company. Estimate how many boxes you’re likely to need and see what they can offer. If you’re on a budget, consider asking your local supermarket or corner shop if they have boxes you can use. Many will. Liquor stores often have boxes with partitions which are excellent for moving items of value such as crystal glasses. Just ensure that the boxes are of decent quality so that the contents within are kept safe. Moving companies stack boxes in the van so you will want to ensure they are of adequate sturdiness. Some of your clothes may require wardrobe boxes to keep them from creasing. These can be ordered online. Use bubble wrap or newspaper to protect any valuables. Better (and greener) still, use towels, dish towels and padding. Tape will hold your boxes together and a marker pen will identify the contents and which room each one is to go into. Many removal boxes have a list of rooms with boxes to be checked so that the removal company knows where everything is going. As part of our moving company’s commitment to recycling we will be happy to come and take away your boxes to be reused, after you’ve unpacked. 8. Start packing in advance The more organised you are the less stressful the whole process will be. Many people have lived in their home for years, even decades. Regardless of how long it’s been, the sooner you start packing the better. This is a service that is offered by many removal companies including Green Move, should you decide to outsource the task. Consider a packing order. Items such as books, rarely-worn clothes and ornaments can be packed well in advance, whereas the likes of food and toiletries will be more last minute. Utilise any suitcases and bags you have in cupboards and in lofts. They need to be moved anyway and are purpose built for the task you are undertaking. If you have
