Did you know that, on average, we move home 7 times in our lifetime? And, that moving house continues to be one of the most stressful experiences for us?
Uplifting your entire family, packing it all away in an organised manner and moving it – whether across the country or down the road – is hard. That’s why, here at Wild & Lye, we’re determined to help home movers get through this step in the smoothest and less disruptive way possible.
Planning is the essence of undertaking such a mammoth task and having an organised checklist means you’re less likely to miss any of the important steps off. Read on for our moving house checklist – designed to make your life just that bit easier.
How to Organise a House Move
Once you’ve signed on the dotted lines, it’s time to start thinking about the logistics of moving your entire worldly possessions from one home to another. We recommend starting a month (4-weeks) in advance to make sure you can book relevant contractors and keep track of everything that needs to be done.
Make sure you and the other adults embarking on this move with you are all aware of your roles – it’s much easier to keep a large-scale project like this moving if everyone has responsibilities.
And, keep track of when something has been completed, so you’re not doubling up on yourself.
Book the Relevant Contractors
Once you have your delivery date, it’s a good idea to book your removal services. Getting in contact a month in advance will increase the likelihood of you getting your desired dates. Make sure to have an understanding of what size vehicle you may need and the services you require.
Here at Wild & Lye, we can help with everything from packing up goods to loading, unloading and delivering items to the right rooms in your new home. Having an experienced team on hand on moving day can significantly reduce stress on your side, allowing you to focus on the excitement of starting your life anew in your new location.
You may also want to consider booking a cleaner once you’ve moved out. This is particularly important if you’re renting.
Order Packaging Material
The right removal packaging will ensure your possessions aren’t damaged when in transit. And, now is the time to get ordering. Knowing what quantity to order depends on how much furniture and items you have. A rough estimate is 40 medium-sized cardboard boxes and 30 large cardboard boxes for a 3-4 bedroom family home.
You’ll also want to order bubble wrap, roll tubes, styrofoam, and stretch wrap to make sure you have everything on hand when packing up.
Declutter
Whether you’re downsizing or upsizing, it’s always a good idea to audit the items in your home before packaging them up for the big move. Ask yourself:
- ‘Will this item fit in my new home?’.
- ‘Do I need this item or are there inbuilt/left-over alternatives in the new place?’.
- ‘Have I used this item in the past 12 months, and am I likely to need it in the coming 12 months?’.
Decluttering allows you to get rid of those items that have been taking up space in your old home. It also gives you a better understanding of what new pieces you may need to budget for in the future.
Create an Inventory
An inventory of all the items in your home will help to reduce the risk of loss and ensure items arrive at their end destination in the same condition as they left. Make a note of every single item in your home, including its condition before packaging and quantity.
Most removal companies will request an inventory before packing up your home too for liability and efficiency reasons. When you get to the new place, work through the inventory, making sure everything has arrived and hasn’t been broken.
Inform Authorities About Your Move
It is good practice to inform certain authorities about the fact that you’re moving home. These include companies such as:
- The DVLA
- HMRC
- Electoral Roll
- TV Licensing
- Banks / Building Societies
- Credit Card Companies
- Investment Funds
- Insurance providers
- Utility suppliers
- Household bills (home telephone, broadband etc)
- Drs surgery
- Employers
- Post Office
Pack up Non-Essential Items First
Minimising disruption before the move is important and the best way to do this is by packing up non-essential items first. Start in the garden or the loft.
Declutter, pack and then make sure to mark every box with a description of the contents and the destination room. You’ll want to move on to the more essential items closer to your moving day.
Organise Child or Animal Care
For some families, getting everyone involved in the move is part of the fun. But remember that, on the day that you move, there will be a lot of foot traffic and heavy furniture items being moved. If you have small children or animals that are likely to scare easily, it might make sense to have them watched for a few hours.
Especially important with animals, moving to a new place can be daunting and there are ways to prepare them for this in advance such as creating a cosy space that moves with them or giving them time to acclimatise with their surroundings.
Prepare Moving Day Essentials
There will still be many things you need on hand on the actual moving day. Think toothbrushes, toilet rolls and bowls for breakfast. Make sure to pack up a box of these essentials and keep it separate from your other boxes. You’ll want it on hand or with you in your own moving vehicle on the day.
Pack One Room at a Time
To keep track of all of your items, we recommend you work your way through the house one room at a time.
Start with the smallest or least used rooms and lead up to the ones you’ll still need closer to the day (such as the nursery or bathroom). Make sure all breakables are wrapped securely and placed in boxes with a description of the contents and the destination room too.
Disconnect Dishwashers, Freezers, Fridges, Etc…
If you’re taking your white goods with you, you’ll need to have them disconnected before the removals team starts their role. You can either book a professional to do this for you or many machines can be done by following the manufacturer’s manual.
Make sure to defrost the freezer in advance and re-home any foods that may spoil during the move.
Wild and Lye are here to help during your next house move. With a fleet of vehicles ranging in size, we pair you with the most cost-effective solution and help your family to make the first steps in your new life.
If you would like more advice on planning for a move or need information about our services, please get in contact here today.