Top tips for moving house
Moving into a new home should be one of the most exciting times of your life. However, surveys show that for many, it is a stressful experience that will actually make them think twice before considering a move. It’s no surprise that a job like this can spiral out of control. If you have been living in the current home for some time you may have accumulated rather a lot of clutter. Just the thought of sorting through and ditching what you no longer need can be extremely painful. Now is the time however, as there is little point in paying to move items that are no longer required, and moving can quickly become a costly business, especially if it involves a move to another country. Therefore, the process of cutting your possessions down to size is an unavoidable task. Here’s our guide to making the move with the minimum of stress and the maximum success.
Make a plan.
Having an accurate record of your packing will help immensely when you arrive in your new home. Before you even think about packing a box, make a list of all of your possessions. Then ensure sure that each box is numbered and its contents are recorded, either on a form attached to the outside of each box, or all in one central notebook. You'll thank yourself later when you need to find that one small item.
The right tools for the job.
The more boxes you have, the more flexibility you have to sift through your belongings. Inevitably moving house becomes a sorting process and a chance to go through your possessions casting aside what you no longer need. Make sure you have an adequate supply of bubble wrap for delicate items, and newspaper or foam inserts to pad out the other boxes. You can find companies that deliver, look on www.foaminserts.co.uk for example. There will always be last-minute leftover items, so ensure that on moving day you still have boxes to spare. Tall wardrobe boxes are incredibly handy for moving your clothes, as they can literally go from your current wardrobe to your new one. Specialist boxes such as these can be hired from removal companies, cutting down on costs and environmental waste. It's a great idea to colour code boxes to identify which room they are destined for. This will empower professional movers, or the friends you have roped in to help you quickly and efficiently move.
Either have a garage sale to rid yourself of possessions you no longer you need or use Internet sites like free-cycle to place them in the hands of someone who needs them
The professionals?
Whilst a small move can easily achieved with a bit of help, moving the contents of a large house is really a job for professionals. Without their experience, bulky furniture or heavy white goods will be difficult to move without damage, and are likely to cause strain both to your muscles and the friendships with your helpers.
What to do about pets?
The key to keeping your pets happy during the moving process is to keep yourself stress free and organised. Try to spread out your packing over as long time as possible, so there is not a mad rush at the end and leave your pet’s favourite hangout spot intact until the last moment. If possible, take your pet to visit new home before the moving date to allow them to sniff it out. Take care to ensure that your pet identification tags are up-to-date and well attached, and once in the new property find them a spot of their own, so they can start to get settled into their new home.