When it comes to moving house, I am a bit of an expert. Not only have I moved house 8 times in the last 20 years thanks to landlords, but my husband was also a removal man for many years. When it comes to moving house, there are a lot of things that you need to think about and we are in the perfect position to give the information to make it happen smoothly.
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Have a clear-out
This is one of the things that most people talk about but rarely do. If you know you are moving house, you need to get clearing stuff out as soon as possible. It can be tough to part with some stuff, especially if you are one of those people who likes to keep things for sentimental value. One of the best things that you can do is reorganise and clear things out. If you can, create memory boxes or scrap boxes to help organise and store these special items. Not only will it make moving them a lot easier, but they will also be pretty to look at years down the line. I have been scrapbooking and creating memory boxes for years, trust me when I say they are worth putting that bit of effort into. Having a clear out like this will also ensure that no precious memories get left behind. Even if you are not planning on moving house soon, now is a great time to start clearing things out and tidying things up.
Hire a company
As I said in the beginning, the husband and I are pretty good at this moving house business, so it makes sense that our friends will come to us to ask for help. For the most part, we don’t mind. Our friends tend to pull their weight and can lift stuff. However, this will not be the case for everyone. And, if you are over the age of 30, you should probably think about hiring some movers to help you. Professional movers will have trained staff and equipment to move all of your stuff safely. Sure, your friend might have a van but do you really want to risk throwing your back out moving a sofa? Nobody wants to risk a slipped disc. Hiring a company might be one of the best things that you do, especially if you have special items such as a piano. If there is one noise that you never want to hear, it is the sound of a gasp followed by the sound of a baby grand piano falling down three marble steps.
Pack your stuff
This might sound like an obvious one but there are a surprising amount of people out there who think it is ok to let the removal guys pack up their stuff. This is not ok. For a start, if you read my first point, you will have realised that there might be a lot of stuff in your home which is private and important to you. You do not want a bunch of removal men man-handling those special items. Second, this is just really lazy on your part. There are some firms out there that offer this service but don’t just assume that it comes as standard. My husband has been forced to clear out bedrooms, complete with dirty clothes and questionable items that he didn’t need to see. Save yourself the embarrassment and pack your own stuff. Also, if you are being charged by the hour, there is a chance that you have added a few extra hours to your bill that you didn’t need to pay if you have boxed up your own gear.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead can be a tough one, especially if you are trying to downsize your home. When we move, there can be a lot of big changes to what we need in our homes that we might not have thought about. For example, if you have rented for years and are moving to a place that you have brought, there is a chance that you will need to buy a washing machine. Or, if you are selling your home and moving to a rental, you might need to get rid of your washing machine as there are typically machines in rentals. There can be a lot to think about and only so much storage that you have available. For me, if I was to move to a new house, I would need to get my boys new beds and ensure that the back garden is secure for the dog before we move in. Knowing what changes you need to make can help the moving process a lot easier. In addition, whether you are moving to a rental or downsizing, you can plan for transferring or changing your utilities ahead of time. This will consist of making a list of your utilities and contacting the providers, informing them of moving days and when to shut off utilities. At the same time, you can also research better value options in your new area, for instance, you could do a search for internet options for my address to find new providers with faster service at your future destination. Typically this process can be started a few weeks before moving day to ensure the move is as seamless as possible.
Beware of scams
Scams are part and parcel of modern-day life but that does not mean that you have to fall victim to them. And yes, there are plenty of moving scams out there. When you are hiring a firm, make sure they are reputable and have insurance to cover your items. If you are in doubt about any aspect of the moving process, ask for a second opinion or consult a solicitor or legal help. Moving house is a big deal, don’t make it more stressful by getting caught up in a scam.