Ten Steps For Preparing To Move House

By Laura Shirk | November 5, 2020

Have you just bought your first property, or are looking to move to another place? Either way, moving is an exciting journey but is coupled with a lot of stress when getting yourself ready. Because of this, it is worth getting yourself organized as soon as possible to put you in the best position to move. The sooner you act, the easier your move will be, with the least amount of stress. Below are thirteen points to make your move that little easier. 

Starting ordering boxes a few months before your move

The sooner you start getting packed, the easier it will be and less stressful. Once you know your exchange and completion date, try and prepare as quickly as possible and start asking your friends and family for boxes. For your move, you will need a variety of boxes from small and large to bottle boxes. If you are struggling to get the right boxes, you can always order them from amazon on next day delivery. 

Get some quotes for removal companies.

You may not have thought of it yet, but getting quotes for a removal company is vital for your move. It is better to get this sorted as soon as possible as with so many homes for sale they could get booked far in advance. Not only does it affect your budget, but it helps reduce stress and prepare you for your move. Removal companies can help with the packing of your items as well as your move, whether that be a short distance or long. Removal companies also help with storing your items should your move be delayed, helping reduce the amount of stress beforehand. 

Can any of your items be donated to charity? 

Moving is a great time to start looking through your items and getting rid of anything that is no longer required. When moving, you may find that some of your items may become redundant, which is the perfect time to offer them to charity. Things like your dining room table, side tables, or tv unit may be replaced as your new property could have a different feel to it. The sooner you start planning what your new rooms look like, the quicker you can plan together for your new furniture, and if no longer required, donate to charity. This will not only help reduce the stress of the move but also mean you need to bring less to your new property, saving costs. 

Know your moving budget 

When moving property, it isn’t just the cost of moving to a new place that you need to think about. There are other costs which accompany a move which you need to think about. For example, you will need to purchase boxes, potentially pay for storage, and enquire about a removals company. Each of these steps needs to be accounted for and require you to budget for them. Don’t be fooled; each of these steps is not cheap and can add up when moving, which is why it’s important to include these in your budget when moving. 

A study estimates the average moving cost is around $1400. However, this can rise to $5700 depending on the distance. Loan distance moving may require you to take a loan if you don’t have that cash in hand. Fortunately, personal loans can assist you in moving your household items, transporting your vehicle, and covering other extra expenses. So it is not a bad idea to find out how to qualify for a personal loan.

Bubble wrap is key to a safe move

It may sound like it will take a long time, but bubble wrapping your prize positions is important as the last thing you want is for them to break. Before moving, make sure you order enough bubble wrap to cover all your glasses, plates, and crystals. The sooner you do it, the less stressful it will be, and the easier it will be to pack your possessions. Bubble wrap doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as you order it enough time before your move. 

Start using up your food in the house

When moving, the fewer items you can bring with you, the easier; this includes reducing the amount of food you bring with you. Once you know when you are going to be moving into your new property, try and start using up all the food in your property. The more food items you use up, the less you will need to pack away and bring to the new property. The further away you are moving, the less likely your frozen food will survive and need to be thrown away once you arrive. This is why using it up is important; also, food delivery companies can take orders and arrive the next day, meaning you don’t need to rely on bringing your food with you as much. 

Start packing as soon as possible 

The more you back in advance, the less stressful it will be nearer the day of your move. Start by packing room by room, packing the items which you can live without before your move. The sooner you start packing, the better picture you will have of the amount of stuff you own and how much you will need to bring with you. You will also know if you need to order more storage boxes, in case you haven’t ordered enough. 

If you are moving appliances, start by getting them cleaned

If you own an oven, a washing machine, or a tumble dryer that you will bring with you, make sure you have them cleaned and ready to go. By having them cleaned, you can be rest assured they are ready to be used as soon as you move to your new property and that they are in the best condition possible. This may have to be done nearer to the move so that you can continue to use them until the last minute. 

Order some cleaners to come into your property after you movers have left 

Moving your items is exciting but can also be extremely messy. Before your move, it may be worth ordering some cleaners in to go over your property and make sure it is spotless after your movers have packed your stuff. This will not only make the property look nice, but it will benefit the people moving into your property and make them happier. Ensure you get a couple of quotes as a cleaner doesn’t have to be too expensive, worse case you do it yourself. 

Prepare your friends and family to help 

Moving is a stressful process, but with the more help you can get, the easier it will be. Once you are sure of your moving date, why not ask your friends and family to help you move? Not only will this make the move go more smoothly, but it will also mean you can delegate some responsibility to them, taking it off of your shoulders. Plus, having a family member to help will be cheaper than hiring a professional to help. You may also find a family member is more careful with your items as they will try their best not to cause any damage.

Remember to label your boxes 

One way to make your move even smoother is by labeling your boxes. By doing so, your movers or yourself will know exactly where to place your boxes when moving, saving time and costs. For example, make sure you label all your kitchen accessories to be in the kitchen so that when moving in, they know where to take it. Labeling can also warn them to be more careful when carrying certain items as you can let them know it’s delicate such as glasses or crystal. 

If you own a pet, organize for someone to look after them

When moving, a pet can be unsettled and be a nuisance when trying to move. Instead of carrying them in at the same time as you, it’s worth considering hiring a pet sitter to look after them. This way, you can move to your new property without having the added stress of your cat or dog. Once you are moved in and unpacked, you can slowly introduce your pet to your new property and get them used to it, aiming for the least disruption. 

Pack your most essential items at the top 

When you move, you probably won’t be able to unpack all of your things at once and may only be able to unpack some of the boxes before finishing the next day. This is why it is essential to pack anything important on the top of your boxes so that you can access them easily. Most things can wait, but your kettle and tea supplies are important when moving as they will keep you going. It is a simple tip, but you will be pleased when the important items are easily found! 

As you can see, there are many steps you can take to help you with your move. Moving is always stressful, but when done correctly and in advance, you can put yourself in the best position to make it as smooth as possible. By following a few of these tips, you can not only make your move a lot easier, but you will also reduce your stress and decrease the number of boxes you will need to pack. 

Have you moved in the past? What tips made it easier for you to move? Please let us know in the comment box below as we would love to hear from you.