The ultimate guide to moving house
How many times has someone told you that moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever do in your life? Would it surprise you then to find out that you don’t actually have to end up tearing your hair out and crying on the doorstep of your new home at the end of moving day?
The fact is, there are things you can do to make moving as stress-free as possible, starting with having a plan of action and heeding the following top tips.
1. Plan, plan and plan some more
Plan everything from what packaging materials you need to what items you want to sell or take to your local charity shop. Grab a notebook and start making lists. This will help order your brain and prevent you from forgetting anything.
Make a list of all of the jobs you need to do before, during and after your move, including giving the utility companies plenty of notice that you are changing address. A checklist for moving house can give you focus and prevent you from making mistakes. There is also a list of companies you might need to notify about a move on the BBC website.
2. Get professional help
You might save a few pounds if you choose to do the move all by yourself but the savings won’t be worth much if you need to pay for therapy before the last box is unpacked. Removal companies are the experts and can take so much stress out of the whole moving process. Yes, there is a financial outlay but their services can be worth their weight in gold if, for example, you want to ensure that you don’t lose anything during your house move – including your sanity.
3. Start early
As soon as you know that you are on the move, start preparing. Declutter and pack up things that you don’t need, get your removal company booked, and sort out your utilities. This will prevent last-minute rushes and give you the time to do things properly, such as packing rooms up together and making sure that items are labelled and end up in the right place at your new home.
4. Take pictures
Snap away as you pack up each room so that you know which wires go where in your television set or how you eventually lined up your ornaments after years of shuffling them about. These photos can be a helpful memory tool for you, and can also allow other people to help more when it comes time to unpack and sort out your new home.