Moving House Checklist – All you need to do to get moving.

So what do you need to do to make sure your moving house experience goes to plan?

Well ‘a plan’ is a good place to start so that is what this moving house checklist will help you to prepare for.

First things first.

Things to do before you move house

Fix the Date
Moving house is a big task, and one of your moving checklists should be the date for the move. This will help you to plan everything else around that date. If you’re moving to a new house you own, moving would mean one day. But if you’re renting, you can move over a few days. Either way, it’s important to get this first step done so that you can start ticking things off your list.

Give Notice to Important People
For renters, give notice to your landlord. The amount of time you have to give your landlord before you move out (your notice period) is usually stated in your rental agreement. However, it’s important to check your state or territory’s residential tenancy laws as well, as they may override anything that’s in your agreement.

Doctors, Dentist and Opticians also need telling if you are moving house. Just let them you are registering with one in a different area. You can find the nearest service in your area by following this link to the NHS.

Update Your Address
Remember to inform your bank, credit card provider and anyone else for that matter who holds your current address for financial obligations. That includes building societies, charities, and lease or car finance companies.

Also, make sure to tell any government bodies which has your current address as your legal address. So that’s the DVLA, TV licensing, Inland Revenue etc.

If this applies to you, update your new address on any websites you use. So Amazon and wherever you may do your grocery shopping. In an ideal world you also want to send ‘change of address’ cards to friends and family if that is your thing. If time is an issue set up a Post Office Mail Redirection, it’s easier than you might think and allows you to do it for 3, 6 and 12 months periods.

Check Your Subscriptions and Insurance
If you have magazines, newspapers and other subscriptions, make sure to forward them to your new and updated address. Forwarders don’t send your subscriptions automatically. So, don’t forget to cancel them and re-subscribe using your new address.

Check your insurance. This is standard for most removal companies but if you are moving items yourself check it is already covered by your home contents insurance. Aside from your own insurance, make sure to check if the house you’re moving into is also insured.

With a bit of planning you can arrange for your connections to be ready to go.

Create Essential Checklists
Another small but important item on the moving house checklist is keys. Do a roundup and count on them. So think neighbours, babysitters, parents and relatives. Make a note of what you have and give them to either your solicitor, estate agent, or the new tenants.

Often overlooked on the moving house checklist are phone numbers. Write them down or save them somewhere. These can be for estate agents, solicitors, movers, insurers, household utilities, and service providers. Include on your list any other useful bits of information like account numbers and policy numbers.

Regardless of whether you are acting independent of an estate agent or letting them handle the proceedings for you. Get the details of the seller’s solicitors in case any complications arise.

Apply for a Parking Permit
Before you move to a new area, it is important to research the parking situation. If you will move to a residents-only parking area, you will need to apply for a parking permit before you move to the neighborhood. To do this, simply contact your local authority or the private company running the parking scheme. They will be able to provide you with the necessary paperwork and help you through the process step-by-step. In most cases, you will need to provide proof of residency, so be sure to have your lease or utility bill ready. Once you have applied for and received your permit, you will be able to park in your new neighbourhood without worry.

Other Checklists Before Moving Day
Ask the seller or landlord of your new home if they recommend local services to use like plumbers, electricians, locksmiths etc.
Make you check in with your doctor to arrange supplies of any current medications you are using.
It’s always wise to draw extra cash out on the day of a move. Just in case of emergency.
This may seem strange on a moving house checklist but keep you phone charged up. You don’t want the battery to die when giving or receiving directions to the new place.
Think out of the ‘box’ for your moving house checklist. New ideas will keep popping up.

Things to Prepare and Pack

Pack Your Things Properly
Decluttering will make packing and unpacking much easier, and it’ll also help prevent you from bringing any unwanted items into your new home.

One of the most important elements of the moving house checklist is to make sure to order boxes and packaging materials in advance. This is a crucial part of the moving house preparation.

The best boxes for moving house are usually double-wall cardboard boxes. These are usually rigid and durable enough to deal with most household items. It’s good advice though to pack heavier items in smaller boxes for easy lifting.

Cardboard boxes are one of the most popular choices, as they’re relatively cheap and easy to find. However, they are prone to damage and can disintegrate when they get wet.

For other packaging materials think bubble wrap, shrink wrap, packaging tape, void fill and foam rolls. Another common alternative is plastic containers, which are more resilient than cardboard boxes. However, they can be more expensive, and they’re not always easy to find in the right sizes.

For goods that are sensitive to Tilt look at Tip N Tell Labels. There are specialised moving boxes, which are designed to withstand the rigours of a move. Although they are typically more expensive than alternative solutions, they provide the finest security for your possessions. Ultimately, the best packaging for your things will depend on your budget and on the level of protection you need.

Mark Your Boxes
Mark your moving boxes or colour code them to the rooms they are for or what is in them. So for example keep mugs, plates, bowls, and cutlery in one box labelled kitchen.

Those looking to protect more valuable or fragile items during the move may want to consider more sophisticated packaging supplies like edge protectors. For those items sensitive to shock and vibration damage you may want to consider Shockwatch Labels as a cost-effective measure.

Regardless of whether you are using a removal company or flying solo, you can source your own packaging supplies often cheaper than buying as part of a solution, as well as having piece of mind in its quality.

Get a Quote from a Removal Company
If using a removal company it’s worth mentioning that most charge a premium for weekend removals and those on bank holidays. So it’s more economical to plan a mid-week move (generally less stressful as well). Also check they are a member of the British Association of Removers.

Finding the right removal company doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following a few simple tips, you can get quotes from reputable companies that will make your move a stress-free experience.

One of the first things to do is determine your budget. This will dictate how much support you can afford to pay for. If money is tight, you might want to think about renting a vehicle and enlisting the assistance of friends or family. On the other hand, if you have a bit more to spend, you can look into hiring a removals company that can provide a full-service package, including packing and unpacking your belongings.

Once you’ve established your spending limit, it’s time to start requesting estimates from other businesses. You compare costs and services, make sure to obtain at least three quotes. It’s also crucial to read evaluations of the businesses you’re thinking about to get a sense of the caliber of their customer service.