One Step At A Time: Top Tips For A Stress-Free Move
According to research by Zoopla, house prices are forecast to fall by 2% over the course of 2024. This, combined with the fact that mortgage rates are expected to sit at around 4.5% at the end of 2024, means that many more of us are set to start thinking about moving to a new home in the near future.
If you’re planning a move and you’re keen to keep it as stress-free as possible, here are some of our top tips to ease the pressures.
Create a Realistic Timeline
It can be well worth spending some time at the beginning of your moving journey putting together a realistic timeline of events. Start by listing every individual task, ranging from hiring a removals company to arranging for your utilities to be switched to your new property. You could also go one step further here and assign a deadline for the completion of each task, which will help you avoid needing to rush around at the last minute and ensure your move progresses as smoothly as possible.
Select a Removals Company ASAP
The best removals companies are often booked well in advance, so to avoid being caught out, it is important to secure your moving date as soon as possible. Even a quick search for removals companies near you will provide a wide range of results, however, it always pays to spend a bit of time researching which companies offer the specific services you require.
Don’t forget to look for online reviews from past customers, as this is one of the best ways to ensure that the company you are considering has a proven track record of living up to its claims and promises.
Declutter Your Belongings in Advance
Moving house is a perfect opportunity to declutter your belongings and ensure that you’re only bringing items that add value to your life into your new home. By recycling, donating or throwing away clutter that you just don’t need, you will find the packing process much easier, and you’ll also save money on packing materials.
The widespread use of second hand selling apps, including Facebook Marketplace, Vinted and Ebay also makes it simple to make a bit of extra money from items that you just don’t want or use anymore. Try to declutter as far in advance of your move as possible, as this will give you the best chance to sell as many of your unwanted belongings as possible.
Pack Strategically
Creating a packing plan and being very strategic about the way you approach this part of the moving process is key to keeping stress levels to a minimum. With a carefully put together plan, you will be able to start packing well before your moving day by starting with items that you don’t reach for all the time.
Ensure that heavy items are packed away safely into durable boxes and containers, as this will help to avoid unnecessary accidents and breakages. Similarly, be sure to use plenty of bubble wrap and tissue paper when packing fragile items, such as crockery and glassware, and clearly label these boxes with fragile stickers. It is also wise to be as specific as possible when labelling your boxes. So, in addition to the room the items belong to, consider listing a few of the items that are inside. This can be particularly helpful for items such as kitchenware, as you shouldn’t need to dig through 10 boxes to find your cutlery.
If your budget allows and your preferred removals company offers a packing service, consider leaving everything to the professionals. Experienced removals teams will have your home expertly packed away and loaded onto the van in record time.
Put Together A Moving Day Essential Kit
It can be incredibly easy to get carried away when packing, but don’t pack away essential items that you’ll need easy access to. Your essentials kit should include everything you’ll need to remain as comfortable as possible both on moving day itself and the couple of days afterwards. As well as toiletries, a change of clothes, a phone charger and your bank cards, your kit might also include coffee, tea and water, medication, and a selection of toys to keep the kids and/or pets occupied.
Moving house is an exciting but sometimes stressful experience, so you might find that tiredness hits you as soon as you step into your new home. With your essentials close at hand, you won’t need to immediately start digging through boxes and can order a takeaway or simply take a breather and restore your energy levels before you start unpacking.