Whether you’re moving across the street or across the country, relocating can be a stressful task. In fact, it’s often said that moving house is one of the most stressful life events there is, putting into perspective just how much there is to organise and get sorted before the big day. From finding your dream property to closing the deal, it can seem like there’s no end to the list of tasks you must tick off before you’re settled in your new home.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just click your fingers and have everything sorted for you? Of course it would, but unfortunately, life just doesn’t work that way. It is, however, possible to simplify the entire process with a few handy tips and life-saving hacks. Follow our helpful tips for a seamless move and you’ll be settling into your brand new home in no time at all.
Choose the right removals company
The importance of choosing the right removals firm for your relocation cannot be overstated. Although it may seem tempting to try to move your belongings yourself, it is highly advised against and should be seriously considered before you make this decision. After all, if you realise on the day that your belongings don’t fit into your family car or the van you’ve hired, it’ll be extremely difficult – and expensive – to find a removals company to help out on the day.
With this in mind, it’s important to make sure you’ve found and agreed on a date with a trusted removal and storage company well in advance of the big day. When you’re choosing a removals company, make sure they offer the following:
An initial survey
A reliable removals company will always go above and beyond to make your relocation as hassle-free as possible, which includes taking steps to make sure they’re as prepared as can be before the big day. They should arrange to visit your house in advance to take a look at the belongings you’re planning to relocate and how much space you’ll need. The team will then use this information to figure out which van to bring and if they’ll need more than one. Without this survey, they may arrive unprepared and not able to complete the job fully.
A quote
Finding out what your removals company is going to charge is essential to choosing the right one for you. It’s a good idea to get quotes from a few companies to get a rough idea of current rates and then make your decision from there. Don’t just opt for the cheapest quote, however. If a company is offering quotes which are significantly cheaper than other companies this could be a sign that they won’t deliver the highest quality service.
Packing supplies, piano moving and other services
Before beginning your search, think about any other services you may need for the big day. For instance, are you hoping to buy your packing supplies from the same company moving your belongings? If yes, make sure to discuss if and what they sell beforehand. Do you require valuable furniture pieces, such as a piano, to be relocated? If yes, make sure you check that the company you have in mind has experience with this and can be relied upon to move your valuables carefully.
Make arrangements for your pets and children
When moving day arrives, you’ll need all your time and energy to focus on the job at hand. You’ll need to liaise with your removals firm to make sure everything goes to plan, deal with any last minute phone calls to your solicitor, and say goodbye to a property that may have sentimental value to you. The last thing you need is extra responsibility, so consider making arrangements for your pets and young children to avoid extra hassle on the day.
If you have friends and family who can help out during this time, ask them to take care of your children and pets until you’ve unloaded everything from the van and are ready to begin making your house a home. This will also help reduce their stress levels, as it can be an unsettling time for animals and children who don’t understand what’s going on. When you arrive, unpack some of your children’s toys in their new bedroom to give them their very own safe space. Similarly, unpack your dog or cat’s bed, food and water to help them relax in their new home.
Pack an essentials box
You’ve had an offer accepted on your dream house, found the perfect moving company, and you’re finally ready to begin packing. But, where do you start? It can seem like a daunting process, but it’s always best to begin by packing your essentials. The last thing you want to do is spend weeks leading up to your move rummaging through neatly packed boxes trying to find documents, passports, and important medication in a panic.
When putting together a box of essentials, think about which of your belongings you’ve used in the past few days. From phone chargers to teabags, there are some things you’ll want to use straight away when you open the doors to your brand new home. Think about:
- Important documents, such as your passport
- Phone chargers
- A basic toolkit
- A first aid kit
- Toilet paper
- A towel and change of clothes
- Toothpaste and your toothbrush
- Wet wipes and washing up liquid
- Bin bags
- Mugs, tea bags and milk – and your kettle!
- Snacks for you and your family
- Easy cook meals for the first evening (or cutlery to enjoy a takeaway with)
- A torch with spare batteries
- A bottle of bubbly to celebrate!
Make sure to take your essentials in your own car to avoid them getting mixed up with your other belongings. It really will make your first few days that tiny bit easier.
Pack efficiently
This may seem obvious, but it can be tempting to simply throw your belongings in a box and call it a job done. However, this is only going to cause you problems in the long run. It’ll take longer to unpack each room, and therefore longer to make your new house feel like home. Save yourself the stress and consider these packing hacks instead:
Take photos of your current layout
Whether you love how you’ve decorated your mantelpiece or you’ve got a particular style of wallpaper you want to emulate, taking photographs of your home before you begin packing can help you recreate your favourite designs in your new property.
This can also be used to make life easier when it comes to electrical goods. Take photos of your television and refrigerator wiring and it’ll save you time when it comes to re-installing these appliances.
Pack your least used room first
When it comes to packing up your house, it’s a good idea to start with the rooms you use least often. For instance, if you have a guest room or spare bathroom that you don’t use on a daily basis, pack these before you start on your most used rooms, such as your kitchen. You don’t want to pack your toaster a week before you move if you use it every day.
Sort one room at a time
It can seem like a great idea to organise your boxes into themes, with a box for blankets and a box for all the books in the house. However, when it comes to unpacking these items, you’ll spend far more time organising them and putting them back in the right place. Sort one room at a time for your convenience.
Don’t pack too much in one box
Don’t be fooled – packing as much as you can in one box won’t save time when it comes to loading and unloading the removals van. If your boxes are too heavy, your moving company will struggle to carry them and may ask you to separate your belongings into other boxes. This will end up taking extra time, and, if you don’t have spare boxes to hand, could be extra challenging.
The general advice is to stick to a 30 pounds limit and make sure your heavier items, such as books, are at the bottom. This will help your removals team, but will also reduce the risk of you sustaining a back injury when trying to budge heavy boxes.
Essex Removals: Trusted relocation experts specialising in domestic, commercial and European removals.
Moving house can be a challenge, but finding the right storage and removals company to support you through the process can be hugely helpful. From supplying packing services to shipping your belongings worldwide, a trusted moving company will go above and beyond to make your move as seamless as can be.
At Essex Removals, we can guarantee this and more. Whether you’re moving to a new town or a new country, our team of professionals are on hand to simplify each step for your convenience. We offer a whole host of services, including removals, storage and shipping, and are dedicated to providing an unbeatable service to our valued customers. We’re also members of the BAR (British Association of Removers), demonstrating our commitment to fantastic customer service and safety regulations.
For more information about our range of services, or for a free, no obligation moving house quote, please get in touch with the team at Essex Removals today.
