How To Prepare For A House Move

Moving house is known to be one of the most stressful experiences in someone’s life. You have a tight schedule to keep. You often find yourself with more stuff than you know what to do with. Even bad weather can add stress to your house move. Not all aspects of your house move are in your control, but if you prepare as much as you can, moving day can go by smoother than if you leave everything to fate.

Clear Out Your Clutter

Moving house is a great excuse to have a clear out. Not only can you save money by having to move less, but you might be able to sell on your items for a profit. Moving house can be expensive, so any extra cash is helpful. Make sure you clear out ahead of your move with plenty of time to spare and be ruthless with decluttering. Keep what you use and get rid of the rest. You will be surprised by how much stuff you accumulate over the years, some of which you didn’t know you have.

Plan What Furniture You Are Taking

An extension of decluttering, but some of your furniture that till now you use every day may not be suitable for your new home. Your furniture may not fit with the style of your new house, or it might not fit through the door. Measure up the doorways, and ensure your current furniture will work with your new home. If it doesn’t, either sell it on or recycle it. That’s one less thing to deal with when moving day comes.

Decide Whether You Will Do The Move Yourself, or If You Will Use a Professional Removal Company

The big question, while running through your to-do list in anticipation for your house move, is whether or not you will use a professional moving company. It will depend on your circumstances, but if you are moving anything more than a few boxes, a removal company is something you should seriously consider. Moving is not just mentally stressful but physically stressful as well. Going up and down stairs multiple times and maneuvering heavy pieces of furniture can be physically draining for the inexperienced. It is possible to hire a van yourself, but even then, you have to drive and park a large vehicle you aren’t used to handling. Please don’t put yourself through that strain when the London man and van professionals can handle it for you, and if you are worried about spending money, removal companies are surprisingly affordable.

Start Packing

Once you know what you are taking, and have decided whether you will tackle the move on your own, or with help, it is time to start packing up for your move. Some tips to make packing as easy as it can, include:

Buy high-quality packing materials, including boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and packing paper. Poor-quality materials won’t last the journey.
Don’t skimp on protection. Ensure all valuable and generally breakable items are protected, even if your added protection seems a bit too much.
Keep the boxes manageable. Don’t fill boxes to the point that you can’t lift them. Keep in mind that a box full of books will weigh less than a full box of glassware.
Clearly label the boxes with where they need to go in your new property. Doing so will help your professional removal company organise your belongings, and allow the move to go smoothly.

Alternatively, if you would prefer not to have to worry about packing, you can organise for your local removal company – e.g in Westminster to do it all for you. They can provide the materials and pack the items, while being insured for doing so, just in case.

Let People Know You Are Moving

You don’t have to tell your neighbours you’re moving if you’d prefer not to, but some people need to know. Primarily, the utility companies, your bank, and any other organisations that send you important mail. Setting up a mail redirect with royal mail can help provide a temporary solution for getting your mail to your new address, for a fee.

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst

Preparing in advance for your house move will allow you to be in charge, even if things don’t go as planned. Take the time to ensure you are mentally and physically ready for moving day. Moving home is a significant change in your life, and though you won’t necessarily enjoy the experience, you don’t have to hate it.