By Bright Advice
It’s a well-known fact; a house move is listed as one of the most stressful situations life can throw at us. Whether it’s the paperwork or the packing, it seems like a never-ending task and can leave you wanting to tear your hair out. Fortunately, there are some moving tips that are absolute winners, leaving you with more time on your hands as well as a lot less stress.
DECLUTTER & ORGANISE
Having a clear out is always a good idea, and especially useful when completing a house move. It sounds obvious but so often we get caught up with other commitments and before you know it, moving day looms and you’re still hoarding those outfits you’ve had in the back of the wardrobe ‘just in case’ you might wear them (little tip: you won’t). Take on one room at a time, and don’t forget those hidden areas like the loft and the garage that you don’t see every day.
Not only does having a good clear out save you time, it can also save you money! Just like the phrase ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ – there are plenty of easy ways to sell the belongings that you’ve outgrown, such as Facebook Marketplace and Ebay, then put the money towards something you’ve had on a wish-list for your new home.
If out-sourcing is your chosen choice of moving plan, there are companies you can hire to carry out your decluttering for you, which may be a good option for you if you class yourself as the hoarding type. (Local Company: Every Little Thing, St. Neots)
Mini Tip – Label EVERY box, you’ll thank us later!
REMOVAL COMPANIES
Many would say that the packing and unpacking part of moving is the most tedious part, so why not erase that problem altogether?
Make sure you do your research in advance, get as many quotes as possible and go off personal recommendations whenever you can. Are you covered in the event of damage in transit? And with the unpredictability of a house exchange, does your chosen company have suitable cancellation rules that won’t leave you stuck? Will they take furniture apart and reassemble for you? Getting this ticked off the list in advance will ensure all your questions are answered.
There are websites that allow you to gather quotes from multiple removal companies and be sure to confirm that they are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS).
If you decide that hiring a removal company is not for you, you could always take the route of a rental van. If this is your method of choice, make sure you book it in advance, as this may save cost, but also measure up correctly when choosing the van size to save yourself trips back and forth.
Mini Tip – Pack an ‘essentials’ box, full of all things, you guessed it – essential! From medical supplies to tea bags, what are the non-negotiable things you can’t live without? This will save you rooting through all of the boxes once the removal company has off-loaded.
‘WHO TO TELL’
It could be said that this is the most time-consuming part of the move, and often forgotten about. It’s so important to ensure you have let affiliated companies know your change of address. This is a legal requirement in many cases, such as your bank, HMRC and insurance companies. Make a start by composing a list of all the people you need to inform of your change of address, so you can tick them off as you go. You can even use websites that contact every company you need to when moving, such as www.iammoving.com.
Make sure you let your chosen utility provider know that you are moving, as well as alerting them of your most recent meter readings is crucial in order to save you paying any more than
you need to. Get all bills paid and in order before you leave the property to ensure you won’t be paying for two properties at once.
Mini Tip – Don’t forget to research comparison websites such as lookaftermybills.co.uk when moving, as it takes the searching out of your hands and finds you the cheapest option.
AVOID FRIDAYS
This may sound crazy! It’s the most popular day for a house move, but that is one of the main reasons behind this house move tip. Moving on a weekend can not only limit choices due to availability but can also create more unnecessary cost. If you’re using any external help such as a removal or vehicle rental company, it’s likely to be more expensive on the weekend, so booking some time off work during the week may serve as a better option for you.
Something else to consider is that it’s likely that companies such as your Estate Agency may be closed over the weekend. This means that if something goes wrong or you simply need some advice, you may struggle to get hold of them.
Mini Tip – Whatever time you choose to dedicate to moving, make sure you have enough of it. Taking your time when moving will mean you can get everything in order and set you up for the fresh start in your new home.