We understand that moving house is never an easy task; trying to organise your belongings to be moved from one location to another can be very exhausting and time-consuming. To help keep those stress levels at a minimum, We’re all familiar with how stressful moving home can be, but we often don’t ask why is moving house so stressful. With so many things to think about and organise it’s easy to forget things, rush your packing or end up leaving things to the last minute. We’ve put together our top tips for moving home, giving you straightforward and easy advice. Come moving day you’ll be ready to go without so much to worry about.
You can use the below as your moving house checklist, taking you from planning the move, packing, sorting change of address notices and finally, the big moving day itself.
With a clear plan and easy to follow list that you can build on you’ll be able to make sure you’re organised well in advance. When looking at how to make moving house less stressful, planning and organisation are key. Say goodbye to unwanted stress and leaving things to the last minute, Coleman Estates is here to help.
You don’t need to go with the first removal company you find. Take the time to make sure they suit your needs, Sounds obvious, right? However, when you’re already thinking about your house sale, buying or signing the lease on your new home, it can be easy to forget about some of the basics.
It’s easy to not have the costs of physically moving high up on your list. With the focus on finding your new home, also make some time to know what your budget is for the move itself. Consider whether you’re moving or hiring a removal company. Will you need to put any items into storage? Working out what money you can spend on your move is important to establish early on as it will inform so many decisions further down the line.
Of course, this will depend on external factors such as how your house sale is progressing, but be aware of peak times such as bank holidays, school breaks and even Fridays. Think about how this could impact your move. If you’re moving to a new location, will holiday traffic be an issue? Or will removal companies charge more for moving during peak times?
You want to make sure you choose a company that you’re happy and comfortable with. Doing this with plenty of time to spare means you’ll be able to put the time in to do your research. Don’t go for the first removal company you find, take time to look into several companies and explore what they offer. Do they have good reviews? Will they suit your timescales, needs and budget? Will you need to pack everything or do they do that for you? Take the time to ask lots of questions and find out everything you need to know. Be sure to ask them to scope out your new address beforehand to avoid any snags on the day (like figuring out where to park). Doing this early will mean that you’re not rushing to find the first company available. Remember, they’re going to be responsible for handling a lot of your personal belongings, so this isn’t something you want to rush.
What’s the best route to take from your current property to your new home? If you’re moving somewhere off the beaten track that can be accessed via small country lanes, consider whether the removal vehicle will get down those roads or whether an alternative route is needed.
Moving can be incredibly stressful for pets so think about how best to handle the move for them. Are they going to stay with family or friends while you move, or can you get them booked into a kennel or cattery? The whole process will be a lot less stressful if they can be introduced to their new home once the chaos has calmed down a little.
Whilst it will mean putting in a little bit more work now, you’ll thank us later for this one. Moving house is the perfect time for a sort out. There’s no point in moving items that you no longer need. Work through each room and see if there’s anything you no longer use. On the plus, getting rid of it before you start packing will mean less stuff to pack! You may even be able to sell some items and use the money to contribute towards your moving budget (or that takeaway on the first night in your new home).
Packing is time-intensive and isn’t something you want to rush, so make sure to start early. There is going to be a lot of items you can’t pack until closer to the move, or even on the day, but making a start will help make it that bit easier.
Work your way around the house and begin by packing non-essential items that you don’t need every day. You’ll be surprised how much you can get packed and ready. Just remember to make sure boxes are packed well and anything fragile is wrapped and packed with care.
Whatever you’re packing, be sure to label your boxes. Not only will this make it a lot easier when you start unboxing, but you can also mark which ones are fragile. Don’t just write the room names on boxes either, add extra information like “kitchen – plates”, or “open first”. It’ll make it easier to find essential items when you arrive. You don’t want to be opening every single “kitchen” box when it comes time to making that first cuppa!
Whatever needs to be taken apart and can be, get that ready in advance. Remember to keep all fixtures and fittings together and labelled.
This will be a lifesaver. Think of anything that you’ll want to get to easily once you’re in your new home. Tea, coffee, the kettle and mugs are just a few things you’ll want to include here.
You’ll want to know exactly where items such as passports and sentimental jewellery, for example, are to make sure they’re safe. We recommend packing these together and keeping them with you. Don’t forget about the house keys too! Don’t let them get packed up with another box. It can be easy to forget about keys when they’re kept in your bag which has already been packed up and is now buried in the moving van.
Include things like a change of clothes, phone charger and essential toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant. Anything you think you’ll need the next day, make sure you have this in its own bag and do this for every member of your household. It’ll make it easier to get to when you arrive and will save you digging through various boxes to find the stuff you need.
As if moving home doesn’t have enough paperwork with it, there are a few more bits to make sure you consider. When looking at how to make moving house less stressful, ensuring you have the following sorted will mean you’re not left in a panic trying to attend to everything after you’ve moved.
The moment an exchange happens and your new home is yours, you are responsible for it. You want to make sure homeowners insurance is in place and ready for it should the worst happen. Once you know the details of your new home, you can get insurance up to 30 days in advance and schedule it to start the day you pick up the keys. It’ll mean there’s one less thing to worry about on moving day!
You’ll want to have this list ready along with who or where you need to contact to inform of this change. Having all this information to hand will make updating your address much easier and will mean you’re less likely to forget about anyone. Here’s our list of some places and people you might need to contact:
– Insurance Providers
– Bank and Credit Card Company
– Utility Providers
– Loan Providers
– Magazine and Subscription Services
– Online Shopping Sites
– Health – Doctor, Optician, Vet, Dentist
– Motoring – DVLA, Vehicle Registration, Breakdown Cover
– Pet Microchipping
– Government – Local Council, Electoral Register, HMRC/Inland Revenue
– Friends and Family
Some post is inevitably going to make its way to your old address, so setting up mail forwarding with Royal Mail is a great way of handling this. Any letters addressed to you at your old address will be forwarded to your new address. You can set up mail redirection for 3, 6 or 12 months.
So the big day itself is here. Make sure your phone is charged, check in with your removal company and try and get a good night’s rest the day before.
It’s easy to get carried away with the chaotic energy of moving day but just take a moment to breathe. It’s an exciting day and there’s a big adventure ahead of you. The day might be busy but you’re prepared and ready to go.
Check you’ve got those last few bits packed up and everything is ready to be loaded onto the moving van. As you’re clearing out each room don’t forget to give it a good clean. Once a room is empty it’ll take no time at all and leave the place sparkling for the new occupants.
You don’t want to pay for utilities you haven’t used, so before heading off to your new home take a final reading.
Once everything is loaded onto the van and you’re ready to leave, take time to check every room in the house to make sure nothing has been missed. While you do this, turn off any appliances that are being left as well.
When you’ve arrived at your new home make sure you know where everything is. This means things like the stopcock, instructions or appliances, gas and electricity meters, fuse box and the thermostat. Don’t forget to take meter readings too!
Give yourself time to grab a drink and take a break. Moving day will be busy but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a quick break. You can also set up a little break station for anyone helping with the move. Set up the kettle with mugs, tea, coffee and some snacks to help keep everyone going!
Moving days always feel hectic, but planning and being as prepared as you can be can help make moving house a little less stressful.
If you’re looking to move, why not get in touch and allow Coleman Estates to take the stress out of selling your home, looking for your dream home or finding the perfect rental property. We’ve been helping people find their perfect homes since 1998 and are Telford’s best-rated estate agent. Get in touch and arrange your free valuation.
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