Moving house is a real adventure—a whirlwind of new beginnings and anticipation. With the excitement is the inevitable apprehension of moving to a new area, making new friends and possibly, children moving schools.
Add to the mix the physical challenge of decluttering, deciding what to keep and what no longer has a place in your home and packing boxes, it is understandable why a recent poll found 60% of prospective buyers have delayed moving because they found the thought of moving too much to deal with.
Parrys are here to help make your move as smooth as possible, we would like to share a few simple tips that can make the whole process that much easier and hopefully, exciting too.
The best advice to avoid a last minute panic is to start packing early and do a little every day.
Ideally, your packing supplies should include a variety of strong boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper, masking tape and a handheld tape dispenser – an efficiency-boosting piece of kit!
Be strategic and think through the items you can pack well in advance that you won’t miss on a day to day basis. It is easy to underestimate how big a job this is, so take your time, be methodical and do it little by little.
The final items you pack will likely be the first items you need to unpack. Therefore, we recommend packing a box that travels with you (rather than with professionals if using), loaded with mugs, plates, the kettle, tea and coffee, towels and other immediate essentials so have this to hand on arrival. In addition, each family member should have a small overnight bag with toiletries, any medications, nightwear, and a change of clothes.
You could also take this opportunity to downsize and declutter. For tips on this, read our blog Maximising Your Home With Minimalism.
Whilst packing, be sure to follow these tips to stay organised and worry-free:
Lists and labels are your best friend during a move. A combination of phone notes, inventory sheets and labelled boxes are the way to go if you want to remain organised.
Not only do labels show you what’s in the boxes, they tell you (and your movers) where they are going and assist you in the unpacking process.
Turning the keys in the front door of your new home is a uniquely special moment. Take a moment to be present in this experience and allow time for you and your family to explore briefly before the movers descend. It will likely remain an important collective memory of the day.
To help you settle in on that first day with ease:
Moving home is a skill so let the professionals take the strain. Removal companies don’t offer just the basics of moving house, many will pack for you, clean both your old house and new and even unpack and organise your possessions.
Whilst there are cost implications using professionals, the investment is worthwhile so your move is an enjoyable as it can be rather that stressful.
Friends and relatives are also likely more than happy to help with particular parts of the process, especially if you bribe with tea and cake or a takeaway!
Speaking of which, the final tip is to express appreciation to the house moving team. Leave the kettle and tea bags on the side till the last minute, have an endless supply of biscuits, or nip out for hot bacon sandwiches in the morning. Removal professionals have a physically demanding job to do, and the better looked after they are, the faster and smoother the whole process will be.
We hope our suggestions are helpful. Planning a fresh start in a new home, perhaps a new area, county, or even country, is an exhilarating escapade. As C.S. Lewis said:
“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
Take a peek at our latest properties for sale and start planning your next move.