Below, we have listed our top 10 tips to help keep you on schedule:
1. Pack an overnight bag
Include any valuables you could need for night one in your new home, such as a toothbrush, glasses, phone chargers or your pyjamas. Putting vital cleaning products in there also means you can give your countertops or bathroom a quick wipe down before you use them.
2. Take care of your breakables
Consider wrapping the most fragile goods in bubble wrap - or to be even more environmentally friendly, transport them in boxes with some of your clothes. For extra security, stack plates vertically and pack your glasses with clean socks. For more information on moving fragile goods, check out this piece.
3. Check your insurance
If you have fragile items, such as art or a piano, note that not all removal companies will cover these if damages occur, so consider purchasing moving insurance.
4. Don’t lose your screws!
Keep sandwich/freezer bags handy for loose screws and parts when dissembling furniture and tape them to one of the parts so they are easy to find when it comes time to rebuild. This saves a hell of a lot of stress!
5. Don’t get in a tangle
When you’re ready to transport your TV, take a photo of the back before everything gets disconnected, which can offer you a frame of reference for when you get to your new home. There’s no point wasting time wiring up the tv wrong time and time again when you’re ready to pop on your favourite series and grab a takeaway on your first night in your new home!
6. Pack smart!
Number your boxes to ensure you know the one you will open first contains the most necessary items for each room. Labelling them by room can also make unpacking that much easier. To reduce the number of boxes on moving day, consider vacuum packing clothing and keeping things on their hangers to speed up the unpacking process. Additionally, why not use your laundry basket, hampers and suitcases to store items?
7. Get snap happy
If you are renting, take photos of the property before you move in and as you move out. By doing so, you can document the condition and track any damages. You then have these images to hand if there are any issues further down the line; you don’t wanna lose out on your deposit, do you?
8. Take care and plan ahead
Kitchen appliances are not cheap, so take care when moving white goods such as washing machines or fridge freezers. Remember to disconnect these ahead of your removal, and then give your fridge some time upright before plugging it back in to help avoid any blockages.
9. Declutter
If you realise you no longer need some of your possessions in your new home, consider donating and selling them or, worst case, disposing of them.
10. Be prepared
Make sure you are ready to go before your friends - or the removal company - shows up.
