Moving house can be simultaneously exciting, stressful, scary, and emotional. You’re leaving memories behind, with the promise of new ones to come. The toll can be both physical and psychological, moving heavy boxes comes alongside often nightmarish logistical problems.
We’ve put together a guide with some top tips on preparing for moving day, designed to streamline the process and ensure your move is as smooth as possible. Read on to find out more.
Organise your Things
The first thing to do before a move is a preliminary organisation and de-cluttering of your possessions. Clear out those old, forgotten cupboards and drawers of bric-a-brac, and be ruthless in disposing of things you don’t need, it can be surprising when you realise how much junk you’ve accumulated over the years.
Remember, not everything needs to come to your new home straight away. Box up some old books or photo albums and consider putting them in storage for the time being. It can help reduce the load for the removal van and gives you a few less things to worry about. Most UK cities offer personal storage spaces, for local storage options try Safestore, where you’ll find a range of unit types and sizes to suit your needs.
Visualise your New Home
Having a clear picture of what your new home will look like is an excellent way of simplifying the moving process. It allows you to assess what items need moving as a priority, where things should go and what you can get rid of.
Make sure you have a floorplan of your new home and try visit as often as possible before the move to get a feel for space and take measurements. Always remember to measure the doorways, trying to move a couch through a door that’s too small can cause serious delays.
Book a Removal Company
This might not be a necessary step for some. If you live alone in a one-bedroom flat or apartment you could potentially make do with a small van, or even a few trips in a car.
However, if you live in a larger house and a removal van is needed, there are a few things to bear in mind. Shop around, get price quotes from a few different companies and compare, there’s no need to go for the first one you come across. Ask for full price breakdowns to compare accurately, and be sure to ask about overtime rates should any unexpected delays occur.
Finally, check insurance policies for each removal company, especially if you are moving valuable items. Policies can differ in terms of claim time limits and limits per item, so ensure you’re aware of all conditions.
Start Packing
Once you’ve got your belongings organised, you know where everything’s going, and you’ve booked your removal company, it’s time to get your boxes packed. Use durable boxes and don’t overpack them, while distributing heavy items evenly between boxes.
For valuable items, wrapping them in bubble wrap and tissue paper can help protect them from breaking during the move. Labelling your boxes is a great way of making the unpacking process easier.
Conclusion
Moving day doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. With the proper planning, preparation, and implementation, the day can be condensed into a select number of key steps. Organising your belongings should come first, disposing of what you don’t need and storing what you might need later. Picturing your new home will allow you to prioritise your furniture, while booking the right removal company will put your mind at ease before you start packing boxes.
