There’s a lot to remember when moving house! A friend of mine is getting ready to move at the moment, and asked me for help. So I wrote a list of things to remember when moving house, and decided to share it here too!
Table of Contents
Things to Remember When Moving House
Whether you’re upgrading to a larger property, downsizing or leaving your parents’ nest, the process can be both exciting and daunting. Amidst the flurry of packing boxes and coordinating logistics, there’s plenty more you need to remember when moving house. I’d start by getting some quick local moving rate quotes.
Inspect the new House
Before you set a date, make sure you inspect the property. To avoid any issues on moving day, it’s worth conducting a thorough inspection of your new home to identify any issues or areas that require attention. Take note of any existing damage, request any necessary repairs, and ensure it’s documented in advance, to avoid disputes later on.
If you’re moving out of a rented house and need to get your deposit back, make sure you know exactly what’s expected by your landlord – Check your contract for how much notice you need to give, and ask about any repairs or cleaning requirements.
Book Your Removal Team ASAP
Believe it or not, one of the most stressful parts of moving house is often securing a good removals team. I highly recommend booking your removal team as soon as you have a confirmed removal date. Make sure you know what you want, and budget accordingly.
Hiring a van is an option if you’re counting the pennies, but you’ll have to do all of the packing, moving and handling yourself. You also won’t be insured for any damages, so think carefully before deciding to do it yourself. For peace of mind, many people use services like getamover.co.uk to find a reliable, insured company in their area.
Consider the accessibility of your new property, especially if it’s located in a busy city centre or has limited parking. Find out if you need to arrange for parking permits or locate loading zones if they will be required to facilitate the removal process.
To Do Lists are Life
When you’re trying to keep track of things to remember when moving house, lists are none-negotiable. Personally, I use notes on my iPhone – that way I can share the list with anyone else who may need access to it.
Create one list to help with packing, another for budgeting, one for relevant parties/agencies, and one for miscellaneous. That should allow you to get to moving day without too much stress. You’ll need another list for moving day, and a to-do list for things you have to do once you’re in your new place.
Money Matters
Moving involves many expenses, from hiring removal services to purchasing packing materials. Create a budget that accounts for these costs, and try to stick to it. Get quotes from multiple removal companies to find the best value for money.
If money is tight, you may be able to save money on packing materials by asking local supermarkets or factories if they have any empty / reusable packing material going spare. You’ll usually be able to get free boxes from supermarkets, and factories could potentially have brown paper / bubble wrap going spare.
You can also find bubble wrap, packing tape, and markers in discount store for much less than they cost online or in storage unit shops.
Declutter as you Pack
Moving house presents an excellent opportunity to declutter your belongings. Take stock of your possessions and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This not only reduces the volume of items you need to move, but also helps streamline the packing process.
When you start packing, remember to label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes the unpacking process significantly easier, and helps removal teams place boxes in the correct rooms upon arrival at your new home.
Try to pack a separate box containing essential items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. This may include the kettle, basic kitchen supplies, toiletries, bedding, a change of clothes, and important documents.
Notify Relevant Parties
Remember you can inform key parties about your change of address well in advance. This includes utilities providers, banks, insurance companies, and relevant government agencies such as the DVLA for your driving license and the electoral roll. You can also redirect your post to your new address, to avoid missing important correspondence.
Arrange for utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and internet to be connected at your new property before moving in, or switched to your name on moving day. Additionally, remember to disconnect utilities at your old property to avoid unnecessary charges.
Moving Day Logistics
Moving house can be particularly challenging for children, so involve them in the process where possible, and reassure them about the changes ahead. Pack a bag of their favourite toys and snacks to keep them occupied during the move, and prioritise setting up their bedrooms first in the new home.
You may want to arrange childcare for moving day and the first night or two, so you can get the new place looking like “home” before the big reveal. If you have pets, you should also consider how the move will affect them.
Arrange for pet care on moving day to minimise stress, and ensure they have familiar items such as bedding and toys in their new environment to help them settle in.
Final Thoughts on Things to Remember When Moving House
Moving house can be overwhelming, especially when moving abroad, let’s say doing removals to Spain, for example. Breaking things down into manageable tasks can make it less stressful. By keeping these essential considerations in mind, you can navigate the process of moving house with confidence, ensuring a seamless transition to your new home.
Finally, let me know in the comments if you can think of any other things to remember when moving house.
