.png)
Moving house is an exciting yet at times daunting prospect. The nearer to the removals date you get the more the stress levels can build. If you're starting to worry then here are 6 top tips for a stress-free move...
Top Tips for a Stress Free Move
Plan for your house move early
One of the top tips for a stress-free move is organisation. Early planning is essential when it comes to moving house, so create a list to help you prioritise the actions and make a note of the timeline for when those actions need completing. You will then be able to check that you remain on schedule to avoid the need for urgent last minute activity.
Hire a professional moving company
Undoubtedly one of the best ways to make moving house less stressful is to hire in the professionals.You’ll save time, headspace and things will be loaded correctly, lowering the risk of breakages in transit.
A professional removal company that offers dedicated move managers also has the added benefit of someone who helps people move house every day guiding you through your move to make sure everything's on track!
Opt for professional packing
In a rush and no time to pack properly? Ask your removal company about their professional packing services. Whether you opt for full packing to save you the hassle or part packing just for valuables like antiques and china, you can relax knowing that everything has been packed safely and correctly into the appropriate boxes with the right labels.
Get removals insurance
This is a must. It’s highly likely that nothing will get broken, but it’s always the way that if you don’t have insurance, something will. Always speak to your move consultant about your insurance options.
Use a removal company with accreditation
This might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of things, but taking the time to make sure you’re using a BAR accredited removal company is well worth it for that extra peace of mind.
Don’t move house on a Friday
Unless you really can’t avoid it. Friday’s are a notoriously busy day for removal companies, particularly during the height of the summer, so picking any other day of the week is one of the top ways to make moving house less stressful. It'll also make it cheaper, too, high demand for Friday moves pushes the price up, so if your budget is tight then speak to your removal company and see if they offer a cheaper rate for mid-week moves. Mistakes made on a Friday are also more expensive, too - if, say, the handing over of keys happens later than expected and pushes the move into the weekend then costs will start to rise considerably.
Pack an essentials box
The kettle, tea bags, milk, sugar, snacks, phone chargers - these are just some of the items you'll want to keep on you on the day of the move. Other things to consider include freezer boxes for moving frozen goods, pen and paper for taking meter readings and towels and toiletries for a quick-post move shower. Think about the first things you will need in your new home in addition to the kettle - bedding, food items, cutlery etc, and ensure these are ‘last in first out’ of the van, or kept in your car.You also need to consider who will look after the pets and children on the day.
Identify any potential access problems
Do you have a shared drive? If so warn the neighbours and put our cones to prevent visitors taking the space you need. Do you have a refuse collection that day, are there any road works planned that will affect access areas, do you need a permit from the local authorities etc. Last minute problems cause the stress levels to go sky high so minimise the risk by preparing your access in advance.
Make a list of people to notify about your move and let them know early
One of the best tips for a stress-free move (and one that people often forget in the rush to get packed and moved) is to start contacting people about your change of address before you go. Make a list of people and companies you must tell about your move? Friends, relatives, schools, utility companies, etc. Get new address cards printed and put together an email distribution list to simplify the process by only needing to send the email once.
