With the house market moving at an even more frenetic pace than ever, more and more people are taking the plunge and investing in their next home. Regardless of whether you are a first time buyer, a family looking for more space or looking to downsize, one question we are almost always asked is “how can I make my house move easier?”
This is why we thought it would be a good idea to share some of the moving house tips we’ve picked up along the way.
1. Start the house move process as early as possible
Once you’ve decided that you are moving home, start planning immediately. Put together a budget, a schedule and a checklist of all the things you’ll need to do ahead of your move.
Simply knowing exactly what needs to be done (and having a more accurate idea of how much it’s likely to cost) will settle your nerves as well as making your house move easier when it comes.
2. Making your checklist
Your checklist should cover everything that needs to be done. As moving is such an involved process you’ll probably keep adding to it, that doesn’t matter.
Just make sure you cover everything – your movers’ details, your utilities providers, your council tax responsibilities, cancelling the milk and papers and which of your friends and family you need to give your new address to.
3. Declutter!
Have a critical look at what’s in your house. Then ask yourself honestly if you will need each item in your new home. If it’s something you’d long forgotten about or something you’d stuck in a drawer/cellar/loft never to be seen again, you probably don’t need it.
If you don’t need something, throw it away or, better, donate it to a worthy cause. Taking it with you will simply give you more work on moving day.
4. Deal with your utilities as early as possible
Not only do you need to cancel your current gas, electricity, water and internet contracts, you should also make sure you have set everything up in your new home so that it’s up and running when you move in.
5. Get the admin out the way as early as possible
There is a lot of admin involved in moving house but sorting out your paperwork as early as possible will make moving home easier. This admin includes:
6. Have a good look around your new neighbourhood
If you explore the shops, coffee shops restaurants, facilities and pubs around your new home, moving in will be easier because you’ll know what to do and where to go on that first day.
You can also introduce yourself to your new neighbours, they will be a font of knowledge if you have any questions and, more than that, it’s always good to have a friendly face when you’re somewhere new.
7. Get to know your new home
Ask your estate agent for access to your new home before you move in. You can walk around, measure up and even take some photos so that you can start planning what will go where.
8. Plan your packing
Make sure you have enough packing materials. You’ll be surprised just how many boxes and crates you might need so if you see any on the lead up to your move, pick them up!
Also, make sure you have appropriate packing materials. You will have breakables and fragile items and these need to be packed safely and securely.
You may also want to consider storage crates. They are more eco-friendly than boxes.
9. Triple check everything
You don’t want to leave anything behind! Take an inventory as you pack it up, move it into storage or into your removal van. Then tick each item off as it’s unpacked.
At Collins & Hoy our job is simply to make moving house as easy as possible for you. If you are planning to move house in the near future (or have any other question relating your home or an investment property), please email me at Jeremy.Tulloch@collinshoy.com or call me on 0208 515 6600.