Home Move Guide: What to do Before You Move House
With your moving date set, you might be thinking that the hard part of getting a new house is done and dusted. But, hold your horses, because the physical move to your new address still has to be done - and there's more to tick off a moving house checklist than you might think. Find out what to do before you actually move house in this post.
The exact date is set, and now you might be thinking that the hard part of getting a new house is done and dusted. All your important documents have been signed, the financial stuff is in order and the keys are practically in your hand. But, hold your horses, because the physical move to your new address still has to be done - and there's more to tick off a moving house checklist than you might think.
Although your moving date might be weeks – or even months – away, it's always useful for you to get ahead of the game. Nobody wants to encounter any last-minute hiccups because they rested on their laurels early on.
A change of address means a change of local council, new utility companies, post office, TV licence and all the rest. It's certainly not just a case of packing up all the boxes and emptying them again when you reach your new property.
While this might sound a little overwhelming, fear not, because this is where our handy moving house checklist comes in. In this snippet, we'll be discussing some of the important things you should be doing a few weeks or months before you move. Let's get into it.
Book a removal company
Unless you're a Marie-Kondo-minimalist, it would be pretty challenging to move to a new property without a removals company, or at least a van. So, we always recommend doing your research on removals companies as soon as possible.
Firstly, decide whether you’re going to hire a removals specialist or simply hire a van and literally do the heavy lifting yourself. The latter is a lot cheaper, but also a lot more difficult. It can be risky, too - you wouldn't want to injure yourself halfway through the process and end up having to spend the first night at your new address without your mattress.
Removals companies get booked up weeks in advance – especially the good ones – so this isn't something that can risk being delayed. You’re also more likely to get a better deal if you book early, so give the company as much notice as you can. We also recommend getting quotes from two or three different companies. We can find the best solution for you if you sign up for our Home Setup Service.
When choosing a removals company, ask precisely what you’re getting for your money. Some firms will do your packing for you – which can be an absolute godsend – whilst others will even take down your furniture and reassemble it at the other end. It definitely pays to agree on these things up front to avoid disappointment, as well as the potential for extra charges later down the line.
A few more things to consider...
Make sure your chosen removals specialist is a member of the National Guild of Removers and Storers. Yes, they have guilds for everything these days. You should also check their insurance details in case something valuable breaks during the move.
Speaking of valuables, you might want to transport particular heirlooms yourself. It’s just safer that way. You’ll also need to ask if there’s anything that the moving company can’t or won’t take - think hazardous substances or large plants from the garden.
Did you know it takes removals experts approximately four hours to pack a one-bed flat, seven hours for a two-bed flat, and nine hours to pack a three-bed property? If you have 4 bedrooms or more, you should probably expect a two-day process.
Throw out unwanted items
It can be hard to get an accurate removals quote if the removal company doesn't know precisely how much you’re taking with you. So, think a little harder before you start packing boxes with things you might no longer have a use for. Moving is a great opportunity to do a thorough clear-out, especially if you've given yourself plenty of time to sort through everything before the big day arrives.
Think of all the things you no longer use – your fish poacher, for example, or that stack of DVDs you haven't watched for years – and all the things you don’t like anymore. There’s no point paying to move items you don’t need.
Donating unwanted clothes, selling ornaments on eBay, dropping off old furniture at the tip, and recycling old electronic equipment is a great way to keep costs down when moving house. It's also worth checking whether your friends or family members could make use of any of your old goods. You definitely don't want to be taking up all the storage space in your new house as soon as you move in, so be as brutal as you can bear.
Top tip: Create an inventory
Make a list of everything you want to take with you - yes, everything. A comprehensive inventory will enable your removals specialist to quote accurately and will also form an important part of your moving day survival kit. With a complete list, you can keep track of any missing items at the other end of the move, too.
Don't put off the boring stuff
Moving house is exciting, but we won't sugar coat it - there are a few slightly less interesting things to take care of throughout the moving process. And, like with everything, it pays to ensure you have a head start.
Before the moving date arrives, you'll need to consider a few important things:
When to take your final gas and electricity metre readings
Which company to choose as your utility suppliers in your new property
Securing home insurance
Pet care during moving days
Changing your address details for all your personal documents
Royal mail redirects
...and the rest. It's safe to say there's a lot to sort out, but with a comprehensive moving house checklist and some expert support, you'll be settled in your new house in no time.
Get the Ultimate Moving House Checklist
This was a snippet taken from our Moving Made Manageable Home Move Guide. If you enjoyed this post or found it useful, why not consider downloading the full version for free? Our ultimate moving house checklist explains all of the above, and so much more, in nicely designed detail. Sit down with a cuppa and download here: https://justmovein.com/home-moving-services/guides