1. Be organised
There’s no time like now. Take this as an opportunity to get organised, set your priorities and jump in at the deep end. The move will go smoothly if you have everything organised well in advance, so start thinking about what you need to do now and start on whatever you can ahead of time. While we can’t help with everything from finding the perfect mortgage or choosing the right removal company, we can give you the necessary advice and tips for moving home.
2. Choose the right removal company
When you move, it’s important to find the ideal removal service for your home. If you’ve got lots of stuff to move or crates to transport, make sure they’ll arrive on time and use a large enough van to fit all your belongings. Make sure you get three quotes so that you choose the most reliable one, whether they’re cheaper or more expensive than other companies.
3. Pack early
While you’re thinking about packing, it pays to start as early as possible. Many of us put off this task and then find that we haven’t planned enough time to finish everything. If you break the task down into more manageable smaller chunks and write a list of things that need doing, then it won’t seem so huge.
Of course, you can always pay the removal company to do it all for you; not only are they quicker, but it also means minimal fuss on your part.
4. Boxes or Bags?
Boxes are good for anything breakable, while bags are ideal for non-breakables like curtains, pillows and clothes. Zipped laundry bags are great for linens, shoes and other hand-me-downs. IKEA handles have extra strength with built-in compression straps to handle heavier items like books or paperbacks.
5. Keep a list
Keep a list of what’s in each box, especially if you’re storing some items in the same container. This can be as simple as labelling the box or taking photos of your pack’s inventory so you won’t forget. However, if it isn’t possible to keep an inventory as you go along, at least write down what is in each box before moving on to the next one.
6. Make sure furniture fits
To avoid interesting and entertaining problems on the day of your move, get to know your new home before any furniture sets foot inside it. Ensure all entrances and doors are wide enough for the items you plan to bring — even if you have to build them yourself. Be prepared: flatpack furniture that needs to be dismantled may seem like an easy job, but it can easily take twice as long as anticipated. If you do decide you need to remove doors or windows, be sure to tell your removal company beforehand.
7. Plan your room
When moving your home, the layout of your rooms and the furniture within them is key. Making the most of your space will make the whole process much more enjoyable, but it’s also easier said than done. A few simple tips can help you avoid any stress-inducing mistakes. Being prepared with a detailed room plan of where the furniture will be placed in each room can be a great help. Also, label furniture following the room plan.
8. Where are those wires?
Why let all those wires drive you crazy when you move? Save yourself some of the stress and get organised now.
You know how much time can be spent looking for wires; make your life easier by adding sticky labels and coloured index tabs to each one so you can easily identify which wire is for which device. This will help keep things neat and organised.
9. Keep an essentials box
It’s so simple, but we seldom think about the items we need to have our hands-on day-to-day. A box for these essentials, such as tea, coffee, cups, milk, remote controls, spoons etc. Can make your life so much easier. After all, you’ll probably want a cup of tea when you arrive.
10. Make the bed
It is unlikely you’ll be unpacking all the boxes simultaneously, so make sure you know where the bedding is and label the box so you can find it easily.
Let’s face it, at the end of the day when you don’t have to do that ‘one more thing’, all you’ll want to do is fall into bed and relax.
