Fail to plan, plan to fail
Preparing for your home move does require planning and organisation. Do not worry. Here are some steps to consider in order to make your home move easier.
Create a checklist
Start with a checklist for all the tasks you need to complete before, during, and after your home move. Try and keep it in that order. There are quite a few free apps for creating checklists. At least if you have it on your phone, it’s always to hand.
Sort and declutter
Before you get stuck into packing and preparing for your home move, be ruthless and have that clear out you’ve been promising yourself but never have time to do! As you prepare to pack, go through your belongings and sort them into the following piles:
- Keep it
- Sell it
- Donate it
- Recycle it
- Dispose of it
You will be amazed at how quickly you can sort through your items and appreciate the sense of achievement when the task is finally complete. Picture what is going where in your new home and you will soon see what you no longer need.
Notify your providers & suppliers
You need to inform a number of providers and suppliers of your home move. Update your address with the post office, contact your providers and suppliers (council, bank, gas, electricity, water, TV channels, broadband) advise them of your home moving-out date.
You also need to update any subscriptions, insurance policies, HMRC, etc.
Who is going to perform your home move?
Firstly, is your move a small move or a big move? Usually, if it is a one-bedroom property or above, you may be better off engaging a home removals specialist. If you are going to do it yourself, get an idea of the size of the van you require, give ample notice to secure the van, and make sure you use decent packing materials.
Things to consider when engaging a removals specialist
If you are preparing for your home move and you are going to engage a home removals specialist, check if they are accredited by a removals trade body such as the Association for Independent Movers (AIM), British Association of Removers (BAR), Move Assured or similar. Check out their reviews and social media to get an idea of their capabilities.
Usually, the removals specialist will come in and survey your property and provide you with a quote. Smaller moves can sometimes be charged at hourly rates and larger moves at a fixed price. See our article on Understanding the costs for removals.
Make sure you check with them if they are insured for goods in transit and public liability insurance.
Removals specialists usually work on a first-come, first-booked basis. Make sure you have a confirmed date so that your removal specialist can secure the date for your move.
Obtain packing supplies
There are some necessities when it comes to packing for your home move. Moving boxes of different sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, packing tape (including some tape marked fragile), marker pens and labels.
When it comes to how to obtain them, you have a few options. Did you decide to engage a removals specialist? If you did, and you asked them to pack and move you, this section doesn’t apply. If they are only moving you and they have not provided you with a packing materials price list, enquire with them as they usually carry ample stock of packing materials, their prices are usually competitive and some even offer sale or return on unused boxes and tape.
You could buy them yourself. Just try and ensure that you go for double-walled boxes and good quality bubble wrap and tape. It’s always worth picking up a roll of tape with the word fragile printed across it. This will come in handy for the glassware etc. Sharpie marker pens are great for writing directly on packing boxes.
Check out our blog article on removals packing materials
Get packing
Don’t hang about. Start your packing as soon as possible. You may have already cleared some items out or if you are thinking of decluttering, do it first. Then start by packing your non-essential items. Clearly label the box of its contents and what room it belongs to. It is really worth keeping a detailed inventory of all your packed boxes.
Have a “guard it with your life” box. This is where you want all your absolute essentials, important docs, and valuables. Keep this safe with you and make sure that you insure it where required.
Advising everyone that you are on the move
You may need to check in with service providers and suppliers for any services you switch over to your new home when you are preparing for your home move. This is also a great time to remind your friends and family and provide them with your new address and contact details.
You may need to speak to new service providers and or suppliers about any new services you may require at your new home. You may have a car and need to reinsure it at the new address.
Home move day planning
Make sure you have a detailed checklist when preparing for your home move on move day. Can the vans get parked? Who is looking after the dog? Are any keys to be handed off or collected? Have you got to be out of your existing property by a certain time? Then make sure you work it backward to ensure that you have enough time to achieve everything on the day.
There is no doubt, moving home can be stressful, however, it doesn’t have to be. As long as you plan well, start early, stay on top of things and consider the steps above, it will be fine. If not, you could always pay someone to do it all for you.
Whilst we cannot help you with everything with regards to preparing for your home move, we can help with your removals, storage, and clearance requirements. Get in touch with Van Buddies today for a free, friendly, no-obligation chat about your home move.
Take a look at our frequently asked questions.
Van Buddies are members of the Association of Independent Movers (AIM).
