Moving house is often said to be one of the most stressful things someone can do in their life. It can be a big hassle moving all of your possessions from A to B.
First, you have the pressure of finding somewhere new to live and securing a mortgage plus all of the paperwork. Then you have to consider the day of the move – that is extremely stressful. Everything needs to be packed, providers need to be changed and you may even want to hire a removal company.
This is stressful enough if you are living alone but if you have a family, the stress may compound into something even bigger. You need to ensure everything is as meticulously planned as possible so that things can get done quickly and efficiently and not cost you more in the long run.
As long as you plan carefully, things should go pretty smoothly. Make arrangements as far in advance as you can possibly can and do stuff little and often to get prepared and inform everyone that needs to know. Have a checklist that you can work through and tick off everything you have managed to get done.
But what things should you do before moving house?
Speak To Your Loved Ones
Gather all of the advice that you can. Moves can be stressful and any tips should be received gratefully. Some of these people may even be able to help on the day of the move or even in the days leading up to it.
If you are moving home with a small family, make sure you discuss it with them before the day so they can get used to what is going to happen. Take the time to explain it to them properly so they have some time to take it in and understand. This is especially important if you are moving away from their school and friends as they will need to adjust to much more than just a new home.
Prepare Your Pets
If you have pets, they may also find the house move quite stressful so try to keep things as calm and safe as you possibly can. You might want to consider temporarily boarding them elsewhere for the move, just so they don’t notice all of the stress you are going through.
Get Rid Of Stuff
One of the most stressful parts of moving is the sheer amount of stuff you have to move. If you are able to reduce some of this, then take the time to do so. There are many items that you may no longer want or need so why not sell them, gift to them friends or donate them?
The less you have to take with you, the less stress you will be under. Don’t forget that any money you make from selling your old stuff could even be put towards the costs of your move!
When you have found a new home..
Get Things Done Promptly
Once you have managed to find a new home, you will want to get things done as promptly as possible. Pay deposits as quickly as possible to ensure the security of your property and get a mortgage sorted as quickly as possible – you will want to do it weeks in advance of the actual moving date so that checks can be done and paperwork can be submitted.
You will also need to hire certain people to help you get these things done such as estate agents, conveyancers and/or surveyors.
You will also want to get council tax sorted promptly to avoid having to pay a larger lump sum further down the line.
Book The Day Off Work
Make sure you book the day of the move off work – you might even want to book the days around it too. You will want to make sure you can actually get the time off of work and your employer will be grateful that you have asked far enough in advance too.
Switch
As soon as you know your move in date, get in contact with your utility and media suppliers and inform them so everything gets switched over as soon as you move in. You may be able to get some good deals too if you let them know far enough in advance.
Use A Removal Firm
With the move happening imminently, you may be thinking about how you are going to move your items. To save money, you may want to move everything yourself. The truth is that after you have hired a van yourself and made sure your possessions are covered by insurance, it may be more affordable to hire the experts anyway.
Whether you use a removal firm or a man with a van, you will want someone with an appropriately sized vehicle with the relevant insurance. Some offer extra services such as packing, late key waivers in case there are any delays and many more. They will also be able to offer enough manpower for the move and may even be able to offer advice in preparation.
Just do your research to make sure you choose the right removal company for you. You may have certain needs – if you are moving internationally, you might need a firm who has experience in such matters. Ensure whichever removal firm you choose has your date available so you don’t need to pay any last minute booking fees.
There is so much to consider when moving house but if you are prepared and get things sorted well enough in advance, you should find it much less stressful than you expect it to be.