So, it’s time for your big move and you’re beginning to think about the process and what needs to be done. It’s no secret that moving house can be a stressful time and there are many things you can do to alleviate potential stress so I’ve written a checklist to help you along your journey.
Self-Moving, Removal Company or Man & Van?
When thinking about this question it’s important to gauge how much you need to move and start with writing down furniture items such as sofas, wardrobes, beds etc…and work your way down from there. It’s hard to estimate the number of boxes you’ll need but a general rule of thumb is 10-15 medium boxes for each room and maybe up to 20 if you have a large kitchen.
From there, begin to think about the physical effort involved with and lifting your items (especially if you need to dismantle and assemble furniture), negotiating doorframes and loading the van and then repeating the whole process at your new home. Also, don’t forget to think about the stairs! If you’re on the first floor or higher and struggle with the shopping then you need to think if you’re physically able to move your belongings.
It’s a tough job but hiring a professional removal company can eliminate all of that stress and physical labour. Let us do the hard work for you and please see our House Removals page for more information.
If you want to save money by hiring a Man & Van and helping with the move, that’s fine but, as mentioned above, make sure you’re aware of the physical effort involved.
Begin Packing & Sorting
If you’re self-packing it can take a very long time to complete, especially if you live in a 2 – 5 bedroom property. Give yourself plenty of time to sort through your belongings and use this opportunity to get rid of unwanted items like that old TV in the loft or the broken gardening tools in the shed. If you have anything of value that you don’t need, sell these items to raise money for the move and you can post on social media groups, eBay, Gumtree and even ask the neighbours.
If you’re planning to tip some stuff, call the local recycling centre in advance and ask what they take and opening times. Some recycling centres in Bristol require a pass for entry and you may have to apply to the local council.
Once you’ve sorted through everything you want to keep and get rid of, it’s now time to buy packing materials. It’s important to remember the old saying of ‘Buy Cheap, By Twice’ and this definitely applies to packing materials. You should only buy double-walled or higher boxes, thick bubble wrap and tape with strong adhesive and if you’re unsure about what you need, we’ve written a blog on this topic.
If self-packing isn’t an option for you due to a busy schedule, we offer a packing service that includes all materials and we find this option very popular for our clients.
Change of Address
This seems obvious but it can be easily overlooked in the midst of moving home. You need to notify your banks, insurance companies, energy suppliers, DVLA, Council Tax etc…of your intended move and remember to tell HMRC if you work from home. Inaction could invalidate an insurance claim or sensitive financial documents might fall into the wrong hands.
Get a Babysitter
Kids and moving home does not mix well. Trust us! We’ve seen it many times and having kids running around will slow down the moving process. We recommend hiring a professional babysitter or calling in a favour from a family member to look after the kids. This alleviates the stress during the move and helps you to focus on the task. This also applies to pets.
Label Your Boxes
We call this the ‘schoolboy error’. Picture this – You’ve arrived at your new home and opened the back of the van to see 50+ boxes of the same colour and size without any labels and all you want is to find the kettle and tea bags. Also, it’s good to know where the boxes should go in your new home and if you’re using a removals company, the team will know exactly where to place your items whilst you get on with other important tasks.
Tell Your Broadband/TV provider
We’ve mentioned notifying companies about your move but this deserves its own category. Once you have a moving date in place, call your broadband/TV provider straight away! It can take up to 2 weeks for them to send a technician to install the service and after a long move, it’s nice to have the TV and working internet on your first evening.
Collecting Your Keys
This applies to both house rentals and purchases. It’s important to coordinate the times of when you’re planning to vacate your old home and move into the new property. You should contact the estate agents to arrange a time and this will ensure an efficient move on the day.
Inventories and Cleaning
If you’re in a rental and (or) planning to move into a rental property, you should create an inventory of any damages. This will remove any potential confrontations with the landlords. Also, remember to clean the property thoroughly. We’ve all experienced estate agents charging silly amounts for cleaning and although it’s not something any of us what to do, it will help to protect your deposit.
Get Free Stuff
If you’re planning a fresh start with your furniture or maybe moving into an unfurnished property, take this opportunity to get free furniture. Websites such as Gumtree, Freecycle and local social media groups can offer some free items in great condition. It’s always worth having a look before forking out for new furniture and by keeping it in circulation, you’re reducing waste.
We hope this moving house checklist has helped you organise your thoughts and plan for the big day! Please Contact Us at Macro Removals if you have any questions.
Disclaimer – This blog should only be viewed as a guide and Macro Removals will not accept liability for any injury, damage to possessions, loss of earnings, or death.
