Everyone knows moving house isn’t easy but even those who go into their move with their eyes wide open soon find out there are a lot of things nobody tells you about moving house.
However, being firm believers in the ‘forewarned is forearmed’ principle, we are going to convey these potential issues (and share some tips to minimise the impact) so you can prepare accordingly and make your next move as easy as possible.
1. Moving house is a massive disruption
With so much to do, moving always impacts on your life. This disruption is now even more for those still working at home full or part time.
We’d suggest you do as much prep as you can in weekends and evening but resign yourself to the fact you will have to take some annual leave to move.
2. Things will go wrong
Someone will mess up, someone will be late, movers will break things and not everything will be as promised when you get into your new home. It always happens and there’s nothing you can do about it so please, please, please relax and deal with what happens when it happens.
3. Self-storage can be helpful
If you are packing in chunks, self-storage gives you the perfect place to store boxes as they’re packed without having to move everything at once.
At the other end of the move, it also means you can move your possessions into your new home at a more manageable rate so you’re not surrounded by boxes for weeks and/or have the space to decorate or renovate.
If you’re really organised, you could also use self-storage as soon as you commit to moving. It’ll declutter your house which could very well make it more attractive to viewers while you’re selling your house.
4. Packing can’t be left to the last minute
Leave yourself lots of time to pack because there is always much more than you think! The earlier you start, the easier your moving day will be.
5. Moving is tough on children
Children are often sensitive to moving because it is change. This change is even harder if they like their room, their garden or their neighbours’ children.
Try to involve them in the move at every stage. Take them to the new house. Let them choose and plan their room. Show them the park. Show them how close it is to their school. Then on moving day, make sure they have a box of their favourite things with them in the car so they can immediately unpack and start settling in without having to wait for the movers.
6. Weather could be a problem
Extreme heat, freezing cold or torrential rain won’t make moving any easier so keep checking the forecast so you’re dressed approximately.
7. Book your movers early
Unfortunately, some movers aren’t great so it pays to do a bit of research as soon as you know your moving so you get the best. Have a look online to see who gets good and bad Google reviews, who is recommended on your local Facebook groups and ask your family and friends who they’d recommend.
If you leave it to the last minute, you’ll only be able to book those who are free and they’re probably free for a reason!
8. You will have more to get rid of more than you think!
You won’t appreciate just how much stuff you have until you start to pack it. Try and be subjective; make honest decisions about what you actually need and what you actually need to take to your new home.
Everything else can be either given to charity, donated, offered to friends or -as a last result – thrown away.
9. You’re going to accumulate an awful lot of cardboard
Almost everything will be moved in boxes so be ready for just how many boxes that could be! Many movers now offer their own recyclable boxes which is great as they’ll collect them up for the next customer.
If yours doesn’t, you will need to prepare yourself for a few trips to the tip to recycle your boxes but it’d be better if you could keep them (if you have space) and offer them to someone you know who’s moving. This helps them out but it also helps the environment.
10. Moving is stressful
Everyone knows this, it’s just that nobody actually tells you this when you’re moving house.
However, there are things you can do to reduce the stress. It all comes down to getting organised. Make lists of what needs doing, label boxes properly, organise your packing by room and make the right provisions for your children, pets and even plants.
Being that little bit more organised will also make it easier to unpack and settle in so you can enjoy your new home that little bit quicker.
11. It feels incredible when your new home comes together
OK, it’s been stressful, time consuming, expensive and you feel like you never want to do it again but once you’re in and things are straight, sit down and take a look around. It’ll all be worth it!
If you’d like our help to make your next house move that little bit easier, please email me at Jeremy.Tulloch@collinshoy.com or call me on 0208 515 6600.