ABC Movers and Storers Guidance for Moving Home
Anybody who has undertaken a house move will agree that it is one of the most challenging and demanding life events. As the saying goes, marriage, divorce and moving are the most stressful events in life. It is mentally, emotionally and physically taxing. When it comes to moving, it is one of the most stressful experiences as it involves having to deal with change according to experts. Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of the charity Anxiety UK states that ‘the house move represents a transition in life.’ It’s about unfamiliarity and change for many individuals that results in stress and anxiety. Many of us like familiarity, routine and order; when it comes to moving, you have none of these. Moving can also cause a ripple effect of change throughout your life. In reality, you’re not just changing your home and getting to know the new one. You might be in a new location, you may have to find new schools for your children, take on a different commute to work or find a new GP and dentist. Stress and anxiety is perfectly normal, however here, we at ABC Movers and Stores we want to share with you our top tips for moving house. To start with are the 5 p’s – proper pre-move planning prevents problems! As a member of the National Guild of Removers, there is a free and easy to use app to help ensure that you move is smooth and successful. The following are some simple tips to help you with your move.
Create a ‘to do’ List
Create a ‘to do’ list and keep any important information together in this file. This will help you to stay organised throughout the move with a removals service. When you have arranged your moving date you should start writing down what you need to do and when. Try not to leave it more than 3 weeks before the big day so that you don’t have to panic.
Declutter Your Home
If you are selling your property, it is good to start to declutter your property as early as possible as it makes the property spacious and appealing to prospective buyers. Declutter your belongings as early as possible as you do not want to pay to move clutter from one property to the next. We advise that you to start to look through your belongings and see what you can relinquish. You could donate to a charity shop or look at organisations that could upcycle items that you may no longer require.
Start Packing Early
Proper pre-move planning to prevent problems starts with starting to pack as early as possible. As soon as you have set a move date, we suggest that you start to pack if not sooner. It is worth starting with the rooms that you least use and items that are also least used. Packing always seems like an arduous task. Breaking it down into achievable smaller parts can make it a lot less daunting. Take one room at a time and start with smaller items that you don’t use that often. Alternatively, you could hire a removals service which will pack your items for you and unpack at the other side.
Book an established removal company
Find a removals service that suits your budget and the size of your move. Get a few quotes and choose the one which is best suited to your move, rather than the cheapest available. Always check for insurance so that your items are fully covered.
At ABC Movers and Storers, we often hear that some individuals believe that moving themselves is easy and stress free. Having successfully completed thousands of moves of all sizes we believe that moving yourself is like gambling on a Russian roulette wheel. We believe that you should save yourself the time, hassle and stress of moving yourself. Often mistakes can lead to damages not to mention the physical and emotional anguish that it brings with moving. We are an established business and moving is our business; we do this for a living and know how to move houses efficiently and safely. Let us literally take the emotional and heavy load from you, we are experts at heavy lifting!
Important Documents Should be Kept Safe and Secure
The whereabouts of important documents should always be known. Before, during and after the move always keep all your important documents safe and secure. Documents and items such as credit cards, passports, medical cards, diaries, password documents and statements are just some examples. We recommend keeping these with you on moving day to save unpacking all your boxes to find them when you need them as proof of identification.
Charge Your Phone
It may sound obvious but having a fully charged phone is often overlooked my many on removal day. You could also have an emergency power bank prepared in advance and an emergency charger with you. The mobile phone is very important on moving day. If you have to contact the removal company and collect your keys from the estate agents or solicitors, your phone will be integral to arrangements.
Help Should Not be Refused
If help is offered by friends and family, accept it instantly. Moving home is extremely stressful, so if anyone offers to help, you should graciously accept the offer. The more help the better when it comes to moving day. It is too big a task to do on your own so sharing the load is recommended.
Numbered Inventory on all Boxes
When the entire contents of your home is packed in boxes, having a numbered inventory for every box will help enormously. Also ensure that every box has a room number or title to help on the removal day. The removal company can then move these boxes to the exact room without having to ask you continuously on where to put them. Robust inventory numbering will help you to navigate through all the boxes and find your items with ease. Just write, on more than one side, what room the box is supposed to go in. It sounds so simple and yet so many people forget.
Label Everything
The devil is certainly in the detail. The more detail you provide on your boxes, the easier it will be to find everything. It might sound over the top but trust us, when you all the boxes look the same, this will really help.
Create a Complete Room Plan for Your New Home
Nothing too complicated, just scribble down where you want your furniture so that you can tell your removal service where to unload your stuff.
Build Your Bed First
After a long day packing boxes and unpacking, you will be ready for your bed. Don’t settle for using cushions and a sleeping bag. Make sure you build your bed first, you’ll need it after the move. Alternatively most reputable removals companies like ABC Movers and Storers do offer a furniture assembly service, which is definitely worth doing. Also check to see if your furniture will fit out of your old house and into your new home. If not, leave yourself time to disassemble it. Or find a removals service who will do this for you.
Understand Your New Appliances
We advise that you get to know your new appliances to save reading manuals. If the previous owners are available ask them for help before they leave. It is easier said than done but do read your manuals, learn how the appliances like the dishwasher, ovens, room stats, water-softners, alarms and even how to heating systems work. This is now your home so you need to know how to live in it. If you don’t have original manuals, use online sites. YouTube has a wide array of how to guides on the majority of appliances. Alternatively use manufacturer’s websites for downloadable guidance notes and pdf manuals.
Changing Your Address
It is worth getting a Royal Mail redirect set up and then worry about changing your address once you have unpacked. It is worth changing your address on your driving license, bank/building society as soon as possible but if you have redirect on, your post will still arrive to your new address. Doctors, dentists, opticians, schools, accountants and vets are just some people you need to inform of your new address.
It Takes Time to Settle In
Moving your entire home takes a bit of time to rearrange again. Sort through the boxes in a logical manner, find a place for your items and most importantly don’t forgot to enjoy your new home. It takes time to find the place for everything but it’s all worth it in the end.
Take More Than Just One Day Off for the Move
Moving is exhausting, if you can take some time off work and take time to move, it makes things a lot less stressful and allows you to settle in without stress and anguish.
Local Tradesmen and Handymen
Ultimately, it will save time and if you know that jobs are done properly. Do not rush jobs, plan them in a logical order so that you do not waste money. We advise that you hire a local handyman to put up any curtains, headboards, cupboards, pictures and decorations. Adding plants and ornaments instantly makes your new home feel homely and allows you to put your own stamp on your new home.
Pack a Box of Essential Items
Put your valuables, important papers, medication and phone chargers in a box and keep it with you at all times. That way you can be sure that nothing gets lost. Lastly, make sure you know where your bedding and tea/coffee making facilities are so that you can make yourself at home as soon as possible after you arrive. We also advise keeping some other essentials with you some bulbs, toothpaste, brushes, toilet paper, tampons, plugs and a tool kit. A packet of biscuits and a supply of beverages would not be a bad shout either.
Enquire With ABC Movers & Storers Today!
For a stress-free house move, it is vital that you have hired professionals. At ABC Movers and Storers, we have a number of years’ experience and have helped thousands of people move! We are also able to provide a comprehensive packing service and furniture assembly service, which will save you both time and energy on the day of your house move.
Contact us today to find out more about our home removal services across High Wycombe and surrounding villages, towns and counties.