Planning a Move? Here’s How You Can Really Make Your Move ‘Smart’ and Hassle-Free

To many, the idea of moving house can be a little intimidating. Even for the most organised people out there, moving house is a challenge not to be taken lightly. These days, society tells us we can ‘do it all’, but when faced with the task of moving our entire life somewhere new (even if just a short distance away), few remain undaunted. Fortunately, if this is you then you are not alone – not by a long way. There is a wealth of advice to help ensure you are able to approach your move with confidence and the assurance of a stress-free process from start to finish. At ABC Removals, we have put together a list of helpful hints to ensure your move is smart and hassle-free.

1. Start Early

It makes sense. The earlier you start, the more time you give yourself to get sorted. Avoid leaving all your moving tasks to the last few days, or even weeks, allowing you plenty of time to get everything done, including any surprises that might crop up along the way. By starting early you also give yourself a better chance of being able to hire your removal company of choice before they get booked up.

2. Declutter

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, moving house is a golden opportunity to declutter and get rid of those things you have no use for anymore. While packing up your belongings, take time to really consider what items should come with you to the new place and what should be discarded or donated. That collection of shells from the beach? Those board games gathering dust on the top shelf? How about all those takeaway plastic tupperware containers? If you are less certain about getting rid of things, or are a self-confessed ‘hoarder’, create piles to ‘keep’, ‘lose’ and ‘revisit’ for those items you aren’t sure about. It doesn’t have to be a chore, either. Spend time going through old belongings and reminiscing about what they once meant to you or a time they represented. Moving house is a time for reflection, too, so clearing out some of the old and making way for the new can be helpful in preparing your mindset for the changes to come.

3. Devise a Realistic Plan

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of all those moving tasks, creating a plan to follow can help you address each stage a bit at a time. By breaking down the moving process into manageable chunks, you’ll find you spend less time stressing and more time being productive. But, be realistic. There is nothing more disheartening than staring at a half-finished task list when you thought you would have finished it already. There is no use beating yourself up over unrealistic goals. Especially if you’re a busy person, sometimes it simply isn’t possible to tackle huge moving tasks all at once, which is why it is so important to set yourself targets that you know you can meet. For example, one task to assign yourself early on would be to book your removal company. You could also plan out which room you plan on packing up when. Ticking off these tasks at a pace that suits you can help quell any moving fears.

Some people thrive on deadlines, so if that’s you, try setting yourself mini-deadlines to have completed certain moving tasks. This should help you feel a little more accomplished with each task you complete and less overwhelmed by the looming deadline that is ‘Moving Day’.

4. Hire a Reputable Moving Company

If you want to avoid some of these moving horror stories, finding a removal company that is reliable is key. Not only will a good moving company not let you down when it matters most, but they will also ensure that you feel comfortable and reassured during the moving process. Our advice for finding reputable removal companies in your area is:

i) Shop around. Don’t just choose the first company you find. Check for customer reviews to get a sense of the best removal companies in your local area.

ii) Find and compare removal quotes. Price is definitely a big consideration when it comes to choosing a removal company. Get a few different quotes from different companies, but make sure they are offering the same service as you may end up paying less but not getting what you actually need.

iii) Choose a company that is properly insured. Simply hiring a man with a van doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be protected if something happens to your belongings during a move. A reputable removal company will be fully insured for all eventualities.

For removal companies you can trust, visit the National Guild of Removers & Storers website. Guild members have been independently reviewed and, should there be any dispute between you and your removal company, you will have access to dispute resolution services through the Removals Industry Ombudsman Scheme.

5. Packing Advice

When packing your belongings for a move, many people agree that it is best to do this room by room, starting with your least used room such as your guest bedroom. As you pack, you may find it helpful to take an inventory of your belongings, so that you know what has been packed already.

Labelling boxes is key to making unpacking a whole lot easier for you and your moving company. As you go from room to room, label which room in the new house the boxes will need to go in to prevent confusion when you arrive at the new house and save time and effort having to move items from room to room. You may also decide to label what is in each box so that, when it comes to unpacking, you know what is where.

If the idea of packing sounds stressful, choose a removal company that offers a packing service and let the professionals handle it for you. With years of training and experience, they will know how best to pack your belongings to keep them safe during the move.

Top Tip: Think about anything you might need on arrival at the new house and add these to a special ‘moving day box’ that will be the last to go onto the moving van and the first to come off. Your moving day box should contain items like the kettle, tea bags, tea towels, chargers, light bulbs, towels, pajamas and wash stuff.

6. Be Prepared

Being unprepared when the big day arrives is not a good feeling and certainly doesn’t do anything to reduce your stress levels. For moving day, put together a folder containing any documents you might need, including contact information for your removal company. A moving kit is a great idea and has been described by some as a ‘lifesaver’. Your moving kit should contain anything you might need during the move including, but not limited to bottles of water, car chargers, money, snacks, entertainment for the kids and even a spare change of clothes.

Ultimately, how your move goes is largely down to you and how prepared you are. If you’re not the most organised person on the planet, don’t fret. By giving yourself plenty of time and by hiring professionals who know what they’re doing, your move shouldn’t be more stressful than necessary. If you’d like more advice on moving home, stay tuned for more blogs like this one. And, if you’re planning a move anywhere in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, consider hiring ABC Removals and Storage to help you move. With decades of experience in the removals industry, we can help guide and support you to ensure your move is truly hassle-free. Call us on 01494 853112. 

 

Happy Moving!

 

Searching for removal companies in Slough? ABC have got you covered. Get in touch to learn more.