Moving home can be a highly stressful process, so careful planning and organisation is required to help everything to go that bit smoother.
Packing and Preparation Tips for a Less Stressful Move Moving home can be a highly stressful process, so careful planning and organisation is required to help everything to go that bit smoother. Although, moving to a new home should be an exciting time and we’ve seen many people use these packing tips to keep the stress at bay and enjoy the move. In order to help with that, it’s important to have a good moving plan, the last thing you want is to lose sentimental/ high-value items or experience unnecessary delays on the day of your big move. To help you to eliminate some of the most common moving day problems, we’ve compiled some useful packing tips. From what to do in the weeks leading up to moving day, to priorities for the big day. We’ve got it all covered so that you can concentrate on settling in.
5 weeks before – Create a notification checklist Notifying important people that you are moving, such as utility companies, the DVLA and your bank should be done as early as possible. Some companies require 30 days’ notice, so be aware of that when you decide when to contact them. Use this checklist to remember whom to notify:
Household – Mail Redirection, council, utilities, TV licence, satellite and broadband, phone (land and mobile), deliveries, subscriptions, loyalty card providers.
Finance – Employer, bank, building society, pension provider, tax office, credit card company.
Vehicles/Transport – DVLA, car registration, breakdown cover, public transport tickets.
Local community – School, doctors, dentist, neighbours, place of worship, vets.
Insurance – Car, house, life, travel.
4 weeks before –
Use up frozen food You should also plan to use frozen food well in advance so that you do not end up throwing out lots of food that will not last the journey of the move. When you are shopping, try to plan around the move and buy foods that do not need to be frozen and will not perish.
2 weeks before - Get things done and make clear box labels Make sure that you get all of those outstanding tasks out of the way, so you are not panicking closer to the day. Get on top of your washing to make sure that you are not packing damp clothes and have a separate box for any dirty washing that accumulates before moving day. Create labels for your packing boxes including which room they are going to in the new home. Be as clear as possible with your labels to save unnecessary wasted time in the future! All items that are not for essential use should be packed in advance, leaving only a limited number of items to be packed in the week of the move. This includes any clothes that will not be needed, food cupboard contents, ornaments, books, DVDs and garden equipment/tools. To help get into the right mind-set, pretend that you are going on a two-week holiday (not a sunny, tropical one!) and can only pack essentials. Those should be the only items that you have not packed at this stage.
1 week before – Double check the notification checklist to be sure that you haven’t missed anyone off. To ensure you don’t miss any important mail, make sure your postal redirection is confirmed a full week before your move. Also, pack a box full of essentials for your first night in your home that you will be keeping with you, rather than going with the removal company. Things like a change of clothing/night clothes, kettle and coffee/tea, some food, toilet paper and toiletries should be included. Remember, your boxes are probably going to be piled on top of each so finding key items will be a challenge! Bedding and cutlery/plates etc. should be clearly labelled, as you will need these when you get there. Your essentials box should also have first-aid items, a pen and paper and plastic bags. Make sure that you have contact numbers in your phone for people like estate agents, removals company, family members, solicitors, doctors etc. particularly important if you usually have a book with these details that will be getting packed!
Move day – When the removal company arrives, the items that you use/will need the least should be loaded first. Then at the other end it will be easier to take the last loaded items to the place that they need to go whilst everything else gets unloaded. The last boxes should include bedding, clothes needed for the next few days, kitchen equipment and some food and drinks. Hopefully, if you take all of these tips into account your moving day will not cause you too much stress and you will soon be able to relax and enjoy your new home!
