Collaborative Post
I’ve moved house a few times in my life and it has been quite a stressful time. Each time, our finances didn’t allow hiring a removals company to help us as it was cheaper to just use a friends van. We plan on moving at least once more in the UK and hope to eventually move to Canada so will definitely be utilising those movers Toronto has to offer.
Moving house can take a lot out of you so here’s what you need to do:
- Set up a mail redirect. With so many things requiring addresses nowadays, there is no way you will be able to remember to change everything before you move. You need to set it up in advance of your moving day and 6-12 months is usually sufficient, giving you plenty of time to let those companies know that you have moved.
- Tell financial companies about the move. This needs to be done straight away so that your insurance covers you for your new house and so your banking is registered to the right place.
- Take some final meter readings. You want to make sure that you’re only paying for what you owe in the old house and take meter readings in the new house so you don’t end up paying for the previous owner or tenants use.
- Use up your freezer food. Your freezer is bound to be unplugged for quite a while so to save on throwing it out when you get to your new house, take steps to use it up before then!
- Start packing long in advance. Sitting down and doing nothing? Pack a box. Take it room by room if you like, leaving only the essentials out like beds, sofas and the appliances you will definitely need. If you use the kettle and toaster everyday, keep them out. If your blender is only used once in a blue moon, pop it away in a box.
- Get quotes on any work you may need doing in your new house. Whilst most people won’t want to get straight in and start changing things up, it is important to know how much things are going to cost you from the offset. Something a lot of people decide to change in their new houses is the windows, doors or conservatories. Getting quotes from companies such as SEHBAC from Chesham in advance of your move in date means that you can get saving or even get started once you move in.
- Clean out cupboards as you go. Same as the freezer, use things up. Don’t take up valuable packing space with food items that can be used up.
- Clear out outside spaces first. It is very unlikely that you are using the stuff in the garage or shed that regularly so why not get them packed away ready for the move?
- Got kids or pets? Arrange some care for the day. You don’t want the stress of trying to keep an eye on your offspring or your furry friends so see if someone can look after them for you, whether it is a friend or family member or a professional that you hire.
- Cancel or reschedule deliveries. Do you have a paper delivered or milk? Either cancel or let them know where you are moving to and when you’re moving so they can start delivering again when you are there.
These are just a few things you need to do when you are moving house – I am sure I have probably forgot so many of them! What things do you swear by when moving house? Is there anything in particular that you always do anytime you move?
As I said, we are hoping to move in the near future if finances allow so I will definitely have to take on my own tips. It has been six and a half years since I last moved house so I just know I will have far more stuff than I have ever had before – this is why we are decluttering as much as possible on the way. We seem to own so much stuff and I don’t want to be taking all of this with us when we move – it is just too much! Car boot sales, eBay and Facebook sales are what I am planning on doing – the less we have to move, the better!
If you are moving in the near future, good luck and I hope these tips help you – let me know how you get on!