Moving house can be a really stressful time, with it feeling like you need to get everything done right now! To avoid becoming exhausted, it’s worth taking a step back, and working through everything methodically. We’ve put together our top 10 tips to take the stress out of the process, and help you settle into your new home as soon as possible.
Write a list
Write a to-do list
We know what it’s like. It feels like you’ve got a million and one things to think about, and they all appear to need doing at the same time. First things first, sit down, take a blank piece of paper, and write down every single thing related to the move that’s buzzing around your head. Don’t feel you have to put them in any kind of order at this point, just write them as fast as you can think of them. When you’re done, you’ll probably feel a lot calmer, and you can rearrange your unorganised list items to create an action plan.
Removals – book early!
Book your removal company as soon as you can
If you’re planning on hiring a removals firm, then it’s best to get in there as early as you possibly can to avoid the disappointment of your chosen firm being booked up on your moving day.
Declutter, declutter, declutter
This can seem like a daunting task, particularly if you’ve lived in your current home for a long time. But by decluttering before you start packing, it means you can start life in your new home with the fun of unpacking your things and arranging them as you like, without the added pressure of decluttering. Also, you don’t have to move as much, which will save you money if you are using a removals company.
Packing made easy
If you find yourself wandering aimlessly around your home thinking ‘where on earth do I start?’ we’ve got you. Take out your pen and that bit of paper with your list on it and make a plan! Starting with rooms you don’t use as much, and then neatly stacking the boxes you’ve finished packing in them will reduce disruption to your daily life the most.
Pro tip: when labelling the boxes, instead of scrawling ‘kitchen stuff’ across the top meaning you have to trawl through all of the boxes in order to find plates (they’ll probably be in the last one!), write some of the items in the box on the side. It’ll help jog your memory as to what’s in there and make hunting for things whilst unpacking so much easier.
Transporting plants
There are a number of things removal companies won’t move for you. You’ll be responsible for dealing with things like tins of paint, plants with soil, and any hazardous materials.
To transport the plants, to make it easier you can take most of the soil out of the pot they’re in, use plastic wrap etc taped to the pot to keep the remaining soil in and the plant sturdy ready for transportation in your car.
If you’re packing anything sharp such as a set of knives, make sure they’re well wrapped within its box and that there’s a note on the box with what it contains for everyone’s safety.
What about the utilities?
Make sure you take the meter readings first
Taking final meter readings is something which is so easy to forget, but it saves a lot of hassle in the long run. The inventions of smartphones does make this somewhat easier, as you can snap a quick photo and forget about it until later.
If you’re not staying with the same providers used by the previous occupants of your new home, it’s worth giving them a ring and letting them know the house has been sold, just in case the previous occupant has forgotten to!
It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to change addresses on things such as your driving license, and add yourself to the electoral register.
Setting up a postal redirect
Remember to redirect your post
You might think you’ve changed your address on everything, but there will always be a few you’ve missed! You can set up the Royal Mail’s redirection service, which will make sure your post is forwarded on to you at your new home. This gives you a bit of breathing space to make sure addresses are changed for all providers, store cards, and memberships to stop you missing anything important.
Paperwork
Keep your important papers handy & neatly categorised
Keeping everything important together in one box like passports, insurance papers and wills means you will have easy access, and it’s also easier to transport without losing anything. If you’re worried about paperwork going missing until you’ve unpacked everything, it might also be worth making electronic copies so you don’t have to worry.
Cleaning – put on your marigolds
In an ideal world, if it all worked out so that you could get the keys to your new home before you need to vacate your old one, you could spend some time cleaning your new home and taking stock of the space a day or two before moving.
If this scenario proves impossible, then we suggest keeping all of your cleaning products separate from the rest of your belongings so that you have them easily to hand on moving day.
Moving day essentials
Pack the essentials so you can have a cup of tea
Amidst the chaos of moving day (albeit the organised kind if you follow our tips!), the last thing you want to be doing when you arrive at your new home, is delve into box after box looking for all the components you need to make a cup of tea! Putting together a survival kit with mugs, a teaspoon, coffee and tea bags, sugar, milk, biscuits, the kettle, some washing up liquid, a sponge and a tea towel and telling everyone who will listen that the bag is yours will save you lots of time and the stress of searching out mugs from the bottom of a box labelled ‘kitchen stuff’. Once you’ve unloaded at your new address, you can stop, have a cuppa and a breather, and take it all in.
Congratulations on your new home!
If you are thinking of moving home and are living in the Staines-upon-Thames area, why not get an instant valuation HERE
or give us a call to discuss your requirements on
☎︎ sales ~ 01784 441818
or ☎︎ lettings ~ 01784 779879
