Move Home Smoothly With Our Top Removals Tips
Each stage of a house move needs lots of preparation and organisation. The physical moving is no different. If you get this part right it can reduce the stress of moving day and help you settle into your new home quicker.
Benefit from our expert removals tips and advice for a smooth move.
1. Decide Who Will Do The Move
Are you going to do the move yourself with help from family and friends? Or will you book a professional removals company. A removals company will do all the hard work and lifting for you but it is an expense you must budget for. If you’re going to do it yourself make sure you pre-book a rental van to avoid disappointment on moving day. Make sure you chose the right size van and think about,
- Sofa, bed and any large furniture will fit in
- A larger van will mean less journeys between houses
- If there are any accessibility issues you may need to hire a smaller van
- You may never have driven a large van before and feel nervous to do so
2. Book In Advance
Make sure you book your removals company well in advance. This will ensure you’re able to secure your preferred day and time. If you are organised with your move you will be less stressed and won’t make panic last minute decisions.
Our comprehensive moving house timeline and checklist will help.
3. Start Packing Early
You will be amazed how long it takes to organise and pack all your personal belongings. We’re all surprised how much we have managed to amass over the years!
4. Stop Hoarding
Now is the perfect time to clear away clutter and get rid of things you don’t need or want anymore. Ask friends or neighbours if they want anything you decide to get rid of. It’s a great time to give to charity. You could also look at selling on pre-loved national and local websites and earn some extra money.
5. Stay Organised
Decide what packing materials you might need and get it in advance. Check with your removals company what they can supply and how much it will cost. Start to gather boxes, tape, labels and bubble wrap.
Decide on non-essentials that can be packed well in advance. Box them up and ensure you include a label stating what room the box is for and what is in it.
Keep them informed of large and heavy items you expect them to move.
Pack an overnight bag with essentials for each member of the family. This way you will have easy access to these items.It’s unlikely you will unpack everything on the day, weekend or week of the move. Have these items at hand,
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Any medication
- Phone charger
- Cash and wallet
- Toilet roll
7. Get Help With The Kids
Ideally you should get a friend or family member to mind the kids for the day. With so much going on it can really help to not have to worry about the kids; where they are and what they’re up to.
If this is not an option make sure you have organised how to keep them entertained during the day.
- Get colouring books, pens and pencils
- Have their tablets fully charged
- Download a movie or their favourite TV shows for when there is no internet connection
- Have a goody bag including a packed lunch, drinks and some sweets or treats
- Give them a responsibility. Pack a small box of their favourite toys that they look after and get to their new bedroom and unpack
8. Treat Your Helpers
Being hungry and thirsty makes moving harder work. Make sure you’ve thought about food and drink for yourself and anyone helping you. Maybe you could treat friends and family to a takeaway once you’ve settled in!
Useful Removal Hits and Tips Checklist
- Make sure you book your removals team well in advance
- Start packing much earlier than you think you should
- Inform your removal company of any likely changes to your completion date.
- If you’re transporting a lot of belongings, make sure your removal company is aware.
- Talk to the removal company about how they require your belongings to be packaged.
- Most removal firms work standard hours so make sure to ask what happens if you go over this time with regards to penalty fees?
- Check with your household insurance policy some will cover you for moving.
- Think about access to your property. Don’t forget this could apply to the home you’re moving from as well as the new one you’re moving to.
- Advising your neighbours that a removal vehicle will be parked outside your home is a good idea.
- Don’t overfill boxes making them too heavy to carry.
- Under filling boxes can also be an issue, as they will crumple if stacked under heavier things.
- Mark any fragile boxes accordingly so your removal people are aware of what’s inside.
- Even the best laid plans can go wrong, and a removal company with the best intentions can have issues, so it’s always a good idea to have a contingency plan.
- Find out how many people from the removal company will actually be doing the carrying and loading, will you need to help?
- Ask if your removals team if they have covers to protect furniture from scratching during transportation.
- Factor in travel time and traffic – if you’re paying for your removal company by the hour
