5 Tips For a Stress Free House Move..

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.

Tip 1. Start Packing Far in Advance

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.

Tip 2: Pack Strategically

Whilst packing, be sure to follow these tips to stay organised and worry-free:

  • Do not overfill your boxes! Even the most expensive of boxes cannot withstand a lot of weight, and the last thing you want is the bottom to fall out! Pack to halfway or two-thirds and then fill out the rest of the space with lighter items such as cushions or clothes.
  • Use sturdy book boxes, plastic boxes, or suitcases for heavier
  • Place linens, throws, pillows, etc. in plastic bags to help protect them from potential damage.
  • If possible, pack your clothes as they come – i.e. pack an entire drawer of jumpers and slide your hanging rail clothes into a plastic bag still on their hangers. Wardrobe boxes are also an option for your favourite garments as they come with a built-in hanging bar to help prevent wrinkles.
  • Do not be frugal with the bubble wrap! Wrap all fragile pieces with bubble wrap and use tissue paper or fabric to fill in the spaces in the box to prevent movement and possible damage. And remember to recycle bubble wrap at a supermarket collection point.
  • Tape your boxes well (this is easy if you are using a tape dispenser). Tape the top centre seam twice and liberally tape along the bottom edges where the flaps fold in and extend up the sides for added strength.

Tip 3: Lists and Labels

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.

  • Grab a permanent marker and label your boxes not only by room but by category too. For example: Main Bedroom / Clothes / Summer Dresses.
  • Label all sides of each box.
  • Use colourful stickers or different coloured pens to sort the boxes by room. This is especially helpful if you have boxes going to two separate locations – i.e. if some items are going into storage.
  • Make a list of the furniture items and where they need to go. These large pieces will often be the last loaded and first unpacked. It is beneficial to have their exact location planned out so the movers can get them into place on arrival, (ideally you don’t want to have to try and move these again after the movers have left). Using the floorplan from the estate agent’s sales particulars can be useful for marking where furniture will go.

Tip 4: Unpacking 101

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:

  • If possible, access the house before the boxes and furniture arrive to do any last minute cleaning.
  • Unpack the essentials box and make a cup of tea.
  • Keep your lists and inventories to hand and guide all boxes and furniture into their (approximate) new homes.
  • Encourage your family members to unpack their own boxes and organize their rooms.
  • Refrain from unpacking too many boxes at one time.
  • Break down the boxes as soon as they are empty and stack them neatly out of the way.
  • Make the beds! After a long day’s work, having fresh linen to sink into and a place to get a good night’s sleep will make all the difference to your state of mind both that day and the following day.

Tip 5:  Call In The Professionals

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.