Moving house is a massive task. It can be a rush to get everything done before the removal van arrives at your house. You want the movers to get on with everything quickly. So it helps to have everything ready before the doorbell rings.
Clear the Clutter and Sort Your Belongings
A loft is usually full of things you haven’t used in years. Why pay to move items that might just end up in the bin anyway? Go through all cupboards and drawers. Pack everything into piles for charity, recycling, or the local tip.
- Give away your old clothes to your nearest charity shop.
- Take broken electronics for scrap.
- Get rid of old paint cans at a recycling centre.
- Gift old furniture to friends, family or neighbours.
Use Smart Strategies for Packing Your Boxes
- Use lots of brown tape to secure the top & bottom of boxes.
- Bubble wrap is essential for delicate objects such as plates or glass mirrors.
- Label each box with their destination room; it saves movers time, and makes your life easier when looking for that missing sock...
- Use small boxes for heavy items like books, papers, or electrical.
- Wrap all glass and pottery with clean wrapping paper.
- Don't overload your boxes so that the removals struggle to carry them.
Prepare the Large Goods for Transport
What about the big items?
- Clear out those wardrobes, dressers etc.
- Remove legs from dining tables if you can. This will save a lot of time on move day.
- If you've got a piano or a big American-style fridge, make sure your removal firm is aware of this.
- Protect carpets with a plastic sheet.
- Defrost a freezer 24 hours before the move.
- Unplug and drain all the white goods (fridges, ice boxes, freezers, ovens, washing machines etc.).
- Tape drawers closed so they don't open while travelling.
- Take out light bulbs from lamps to prevent breakage.
Set Aside an Essentials Box for the First Night
The reason you want this box is for comfort. You don’t want to be searching for a teaspoon in a load of boxes. Put this one in your own car so that it is always to hand, and prepare:
- Kettle, tea bags, coffee and milk.
- Toilet roll, soap, hand towels.
- Chargers for the mobile phones and other power cables.
- Stuff needed from the get-go – something like a normal screwdriver and a set of pliers.
- Essential papers, international documents, travel documents, passports.
- First night's bedding and pyjamas.
- Snacks and bottled water for the team.
Arrange Parking and Clear Access Paths
Removal vans are big and require plenty of room to park. Inform your neighbours of the move date. If you live in a flat, ensure the lift is functioning. You may want to check with the local council to see if you require any parking permits for the big day. After that, take care of the following:
- Remove shoes and coats from the hallway to allow the team to pass freely.
- Don't forget to also measure narrow doorways and tight corners.
- Move your own vehicles from the driveway.
- Make sure there are no overhanging branches close to the entrance.
Take Final Meter Readings and Secure the Property
The final checklist for your stress-free move:
- Snap a few photos of all your utility meters before you leave.
- Make sure you leave the windows locked and the heating off.
- If necessary, turn the water stopcock off.
- Look in the garden shed for tools you may have left lying around.
- Make sure to secure all windows and doors – keep all houses locked up.
- Hand over the keys to the estate agent.
Moving is a tough job, but it doesn’t need to be a nightmare. Moved Removals help families move home every day across the North West. We work hard to provide the smoothest home moves possible anywhere in Wirral, Liverpool, Chester and the rest of Cheshire and the North West. The team offers services, including packing assistance and heavy-lifting transport for some of your larger items. The perfect way to begin setting up your new home!
