Moving is quite a stressful moment in our lives. We all experience it at least once and we never look forward to it. Of course the excitement of the new house and a new place does lift up the mood. It is the ‘heavy-lifting’ part of moving that brings us down though. Movers and packers can help a lot in these situations. However, you still have to go ahead and choose the right movers. It is fortunate that house moving companies are quite easily available in urban settlements such as London.
We have 7 tips for you – just for you – that can help you make moving less stressful. House removals in London or anywhere in the UK are not exactly that scary. The facilities are there and with a few simple steps, you can end up with a successful move. Let’s begin!
Make a proper plan
Moving requires a proper plan before you execute it. Whether you’re moving with house movers or not, it does not matter. You still need to pick a moving date and plan around it. There is just so much to consider and take care of that it becomes necessary to write everything down. And write everything down – you should! The best way forward is to make a checklist of all the upcoming tasks. Divide them by category and make a sublist if required. This planning stage is crucial. It should include the following:
- Marking down the important dates on the calendar. The day of the move is, of course, the most crucial. However, you must circle around the dates on which you will get the moving supplies, rent equipment (if any), start packing, etc.
- An important part of the plan is to start your research as well. You must be aware of the packing and moving supplies that will be ideal for your house removal. Find out who the best removals companies are in London. Search what the current prices for moving houses are. Things like this and many more should be on your list when you are online researching.
- Finally, your planning stage should also include making an inventory of everything you own. We will touch upon this in the next point.
Make an Inventory
Having an inventory of all your belongings before the move has its own advantages. It is a paramount part of the planning stage and must be carried out properly. Your inventory will help you:
- Keep a track of everything you own. It will allow you to see what you need to move and what you need to leave behind or discard.
- It can also double up as a checklist. You can use the inventory to check whether you have packed everything or loaded everything. Having an inventory allows you to carry out the house removal much more efficiently.
- If you are moving from/to London with a house moving company, you can share this inventory with them as well. This will help them get a better idea of your requirements and therefore quote a more accurate price.
- An inventory will help you understand what kind of resources you will require during the removal. Eg: If you own a lot of books, you might want to prepare yourself with plenty of small yet sturdy boxes.
Sort out your finances as soon as possible
Before you make any substantial move (still in the planning stage), make sure you focus on your finances. Ensure that you have a good idea about how much you can afford to spend. House removals in a city like London can get expensive if you’re not careful. Therefore, you must note down all the expected expenses coming your way. Your inventory and your task list can help here too. Add a number (the cost) in front of every task that you have to do. Add them all up and see what you can afford based on your savings.
Make sure that you consider other expenses as well. Moving is not the only thing that you have to take care of. There will be more costs attached to settling in the new house. Your real estate agent’s fees, for example, is another expense. It is better to have a good and clear sight on the larger picture here. The more prepared you are, the chances of a stress-free removal increase.
Choose your house movers carefully
If you want to move with the help of experts, there is nothing better than that. House moving companies can help you move quickly and safely. The cost of the moving company is also comparable to what you have to spend if you move on your own.
The major thing that you have to take care of is to choose the right movers and packers. Fortunately, London has plenty of house removals companies. The goal is to get your hands on the best one.
- Experience is a great quality to have in a moving company. It usually implies that the quality of service is good.
- Ensure that you do your research about the company before you hire one. Online reviews are a great place to start.
- Compare different options based on their estimates and the services they offer.
- Look for a company which has a good infrastructure. Well maintained trucks, qualified staff members, etc. are all very important.
Downsize and declutter
One of the best ways to reduce the burden of moving is to declutter your house. It is also quite therapeutic to do so. You can start arranging and decluttering as soon as you decide that you have to move. Discard anything that you think is useless or you don’t want in the new house. Arrange a garage sale for things that still hold some value. You can also leave behind that old sofa that you bought ten years ago. Moving is a chance to start a few things off – afresh! Finally, ensure that you check out online marketplaces as well.
Think about your kids and pets beforehand
Kids and pets can make the move more stressful for you. Of course, it is not their fault. Small kids and pets don’t like it when things change. You, as the responsible adult, should take charge here. Make sure that you arrange something for them beforehand. You can ask a friend or a relative’s help – keep them at their place while you pack and move everything.
It is also a good idea to stay positive around children. Show them the new house in advance and let them choose their rooms. Make them excited about the move rather than stress about it.
Make sure that you are ready for moving day
On the moving day, you should be prepared for the house movers to come and start things off quickly. Rise up nice and early and start packing your essentials in a bag. You can also do this the night before. Pack your chargers and your important documents in a bag and keep them aside. Prepare your car for the journey ahead. Have a cup of tea and wait for the house removal experts to arrive. Soon, you’ll be at your new house, enjoying a stress-free evening with your family.