TIPS
Preparation and planning is the key to any move, so use our handy guide to work through the list of things to do before the big day.
SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- Start de-cluttering. Don’t waste money paying to have stuff you never use moved to your new property. This is the time to throw out anything that you have never used. If you pack early then your removal company will have a better idea of how many boxes you have and will give a more accurate price.
- Notify your landlord in writing if you are renting
- Decide on whether to are going to move yourself or use a removal company. If removal company get at least 3 quotes. Book early so you can get the removal company of your choice. A good removal company can be booked up months in advance.
- Start researching your local area by use of local newspapers, reading blogs or community sites.
- Check your home insurance policy to make sure you are covered from the day to move in.
FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- If you are packing yourself order and have delivered your packing boxes. Helpineedboxes.co.uk has a full range of packing materials which can be delivered direct to your door.
- Book extra storage if required. Helpineedstorage.co.uk offers a full list of storage companies in the UK
- If you have any parking restrictions at either address, contact the local authorities or neighbours to arrange parking arrangement suspensions. A removal van can be the same size as a double decker bus and needs extra space for manoeuvring into position.
- Notify the relevant utility companies of your departure. They are the first price comparison service to be officially accredited by Energywatch (now Consumer Focus), the UK’s gas and electricity watchdog.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- Have your car(s) serviced, particularly if you are moving long distance.
- Arrange for someone to look after children and pets if possible.
- If you are moving long distance and need a hotel for the night book early especially in the summer months.
- Deregister from your doctor. You don’t need to tell your GP you are moving but it will help in terms of administration and transferring your records.
- Notify your newspaper and milkman that you will be moving and arrange a date for the service to stop.
- Start running down freezer foods.
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- Confirm arrival time and final arrangements with your removal company including directions or postcode of your new property and any access issues
- Arrange for the professional disconnection of gas cookers, washing machines or any other appliances you are taking with you.
- Start dismantling any flat pack furniture
- Contact locksmiths and arrange them to fit new locks to your property
3 Days Before Your Move
- Do last minute laundry
- Any spare keys should be clearly labeled and left where they will be seen on moving day
- Make up a box of refreshments and essential items for your first few days – such as toilet roll, light bulbs, tea making equipment, scissors, toiletries, pen and paper, torch, first aid kit, a few pieces of basic cutlery, crockery, corkscrew and of course a bottle of champagne!
2 DAYS BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- Defrost and dry out your fridge / freezer.
- Pack valuables and documents and put them in a safe place. Do not pack these in a box but place in car with you for easy access.
- Make a list of contact details i.e. Solicitors, Estate Agent, Mortgage Broker
- Confirm with your estate agents or landlord when you will be getting the keys to your new property
1 DAY BEFORE YOUR MOVE
- All packing should be done apart from essentials items in the kitchen and bathroom. Don’t forget to leave out the kettle and tea making items including bedding to sleep on for the 1st night.
- Charge your mobile phone, as you will need it tomorrow
- Do a final check of cupboards, the loft, sheds so that nothing is left behind
MOVING DAY
- Welcome your removal team and show them all items that are going and anything that is staying.
- Drop the children off or organise a corner of the lounge with some of their toys and a few treats. Older children may want specific tasks such as packing up their own personal box.
- Do a final clean of the house
- Make a note of all meters readings
- Do a final walk round of property including garage and garden.
- Lock all windows and doors and leave any information which may be useful to the new occupier i.e. where is the stopcock, electric/ gas meter, fuse box
AT YOUR NEW HOME
- Make sure all services – electric, water and gas – are working. Put the kettle on for your removal team when they arrive. Moving is thirsty business! Aim to be there when your removal team arrives so you can show them where you would like items and boxes to go.
- Make sure your locksmith arrives to change the locks
- When your removal team have finished. Check the inside of the van thoroughly; it is your responsibility to make sure all of your belongings are removed.
- Don’t try and unpack everything today.
- Order in a takeaway, enjoy a glass of champagne and relax
Frequently Asked Questions
Firstly, try to use a box that’s the right size. Books and DVDs are heavy so they need to be packed into smaller boxes. Try not to have items sticking out of the top of boxes – this makes them harder to load. Try to fill up the boxes with cushions, linen or even newspaper so the top of the box doesn’t get crushed!
In the kitchen, it’s best to try and place a towel or sheet at the very bottom of the box. Crockery and glassware items will need to be individually wrapped in paper. White butchers paper is best for this as newspaper can sometimes leave ink marks. (We have butchers paper for sale if you need some). Finish off the box with another towel, sheet or layer of crumpled paper at the top. Boxes should be packed firmly (so the contents don’t move around) but not too tight.
Dinner plates are best wrapped individually and then stacked on their ends.
You can use light things such as Tupperware and plastic items to fill up boxes that have heavier items on the bottom layer.
Boxes should be labelled with the room and a brief description of contents, so you can find things easily at the other end.
Yes you can leave clothes and blankets inside drawers and blanket boxes. Anything that will move around inside drawers will need to be removed and packed into boxes. It’s a good idea to remove make-up, medicines, jewellery, stationery, etc from drawers and repack them somewhere else.
Documents and files can be left inside your filing cabinet.
Once you know everything has arrived in your new home, and it’s all safe and sound – we would like payment please!
Payment is expected on the day of removal and can be made via these methods:
cash
cheque
debit card
major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express)
Please note that payment by American Express will attract an extra charge of 2.75% to cover bank fees on the transaction.
It’s not an absolute requirement but we do work better with a caffeine intake! LOL
For most moves, we can start first thing in the morning and have you out of your old place by lunch time. You should then be in your new place in the afternoon and you can start unpacking a few essential boxes!
However, If you have lots of belongings or if there’s a lot of travelling to be done between your old and new homes, then we’ll need a bit longer to get you settled into your new place.
