For a generation prone to procrastination, who put off packing for their holiday until they’re in the car on the way to the airport, the actual, physical prospect of moving house can be overwhelming. So much so, in fact, that a whopping 42% of those aged between 15 and 34 still live at home with their folks.
Of course, that’s a tenuous causal link and should be scrapped from the record.
In fact, last month, the Independent reported that a “survey of around 3,000 people for Nationwide [last] month indicated 38% across the UK were either in the process of moving or considering a move.”
That’s a lot of people upping sticks which we all know, can be a stressful, strained experience. Well, we’re here to help. Here are 7 ways to take the headache out of moving house.
Plan Your Utilities & Services in Advance
One of the most overlooked aspects of moving house is the transfer or setup of utilities and services. It’s easy to get caught up in the physical act of moving and forget about the essentials like electricity, gas, water, and internet. To avoid any disruptions, make a list of all the utilities and services you currently use and contact each provider well in advance of your move. Inform them of your moving date and new address to ensure a seamless transition.
Additionally, consider setting up your internet and TV services ahead of time. Many providers allow you to schedule an installation date, so you can have everything up and running as soon as you move in. This way, you won’t be left without essential services during the first few days in your new home.
Leave The Heavy Lifting To The Professionals
‘I can manage this’, before the beloved family heirloom smashes into a thousand pieces on the floor.
Indeed, someone, somewhere right now is arguing with a loved one about moving house. With every packed, repacked and packed again box, with every dropped sentimental ornament and broken down rental van, with every temper flared over the right position for the ill fitting new sofa comes an even iller thought out divorce. And that’s a fact.
The moving and manoeuvring needed for upping sticks isn’t something you want to boldly carry on your shoulders alone. All that shifting and lifting will only leave you with a slipped disk or sore back for your troubles. Rather than enlisting the help of friends and family (which only passes the burden of risk, rather than negates it), it’s prudent to bring in services that specialise in house removals to help with the bigger and heavier items.
You can enlist the help of a removal company or simply hire a an with a van. Whilst a rather outdated term, googling a “man with van service near me” is one of the easiest ways to find a removal company. Typically, a man and van for hire service is composed of a team of moving experts who own a van. Its an easy way to move a large collection of items and typically costs less than a more fully-equipped, professional moving service.
You can expect to pay approximately £30-50 per hour, though some services may also charge a base rate for the task, or may charge separately for other services carried out through the move, such as packing.
Generally speaking, man with a van services are utilised for shorter, simpler moves, and are considered best for students, furniture removals, and people living alone. For bigger moves, however, it may be best to look into full moving services, which are more resourced.
Be warned, there are some cowboys out there, so make sure that you do your research and read online reviews of the service. Be wary of overly fawning reviews that go into loads of detail, enthusing adjectives and exaggeration dripping over every syllable. There could well be a paid reviewer behind it, helping to boost business. It’s equally important to approach scathing reviews with a level of suspicion, as they could be written by a competitor with an ulterior motive in mind.
Ideal Tip: It’s always best to communicate your moving needs as clearly and as early on as you can to a prospective man with van or moving service. This way, your needs can be anticipated, or the moving service can let you know if it cannot reasonably promise to take on a given task. Call ahead of time to see how any prospective removal company can help you ensure your belongings, especially fragile or difficult items like pianos or mirrors, are transported safely.
Address The Inventory Ahead Of Time
If you’re bidding farewell to a rented property, then it’s almost certain that your landlord will have an inventory that they’ll want to check; a dreaded part of the process, indeed.
It’s crucial that you get this sorted and out of the way well ahead of the time you actually move out. Finding that a cupboard door is damaged and needs replacing, or there’s a giant stain on the carpet which needs professional attention, will make for a huge amount of stress in the middle of a move.
Embrace The Opportunity To Streamline
Getting rid of the clutter and junk which has held pride of place for far too long can be a really valuable byproduct of moving house. As the old saying goes, ”with a tidy house comes a tidy mind’’, so embrace this chance to start afresh without that massive teddy bear you won for your ex-girlfriend at the fair or the box of vinyl you never, ever listen to.
We’ve written about why decluttering is so important over here; check it out!
Label Obsessively
Although the other side of the move might seem like a long way away, a little foresight goes a long way when you’re packing up. To get to the unpacking part and be met with random boxes in random rooms of varied shapes and sizes and no logical organisation, is to crush a spirit which has already been stretched and strained by the moving process.
This soul destroying part can be avoided by a fastidious, obsessive commitment to codifying and labelling when you’re packing up your life. At the very least, you’ll want to have boxes arranged by room, but if you’re going to get obsessive about it, by item. For instance, a box dedicated purely to the living room bookshelf is going to be much easier to unpack and reorganise than one containing a golf club, toothbrush, some crayons and a sieve.
Create A Moving Day Survival Kit
Moving day can be chaotic, and the last thing you want is to be rummaging through boxes to find essential items. To make the day go smoother, prepare a moving day survival kit. This should include all the necessities you’ll need for the first 24 hours in your new home.
Pack a bag with toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medications, and basic kitchen supplies like a kettle, mugs, tea, and snacks. Don’t forget to include tools like a box cutter, scissors, and a screwdriver for any immediate assembly or disassembly tasks. Having these items easily accessible will save you a lot of hassle and help you settle in more comfortably.
By planning your utilities and creating a moving day survival kit, you can significantly reduce the stress and chaos that often accompanies moving house. These small steps can make a big difference in ensuring a smooth transition to your new home.
Make A Pact With Your Pals
Everyone hates moving. Some simply accept it’s going to be arduous and approach it with a stiff upper lip. Others choose to ease the load and make things a bit more fun by entering into a moving house pact with their nearest and dearest. Sharing the load is the name of the game here, a ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ mentality, if you will.
Perhaps have the promise of something fun waiting for you all at the end of a gruelling day of lugging and loading. What could be better than opening a bottle of bubbly and exploring the takeaway options delivering to your new abode?