Inside: 10 Top hacks for a stress-free move. Collaborative post.
Are you already stressing about your upcoming house move? Then read on to discover how to make it as stress-free as possible…
Moving house can be a tumultuous time with lots to consider. From booking a van, perhaps with professional movers, to redirecting your post, to going through the dreaded WIFI set up, the list is endless.
A UK- based solicitors, such as a London, Glasgow, conveyancing solicitors Manchester, or Hertfordshire conveyancing specialist, can help to some extent. They will be able to put your mind at ease with any of the legalities and ensure the buying process is smooth sailing.
That said, the rest is up to you. It may seem never-ending and overwhelming at times, but we’ve got 10 trusty hacks to support a stress-free move, right here. Remember, it won’t be long until you are enjoying your new home, so take a look…
- Make a Checklist
Alongside moving house, you still have your day-to-day life to get on with, and it may feel like there is too much to think about. Naturally, this can add to the stress. Therefore, we would recommend making a detailed checklist of everything you need to accomplish first.
If you can, create a list that orders when each task needs to be completed. That way you can put things that aren’t important for a few weeks or months out of your head, and focus on what you need to get done now.
Sometimes, there might be things that need to be done that you haven’t even thought of yet. This might include changing your address on the electoral register or paying your final water bill. So, finding an online checklist to compare your list against is a smart move; you can download a helpful checklist here.
- Don’t Leave Packing Until the Last Minute
Time is precious and organisation is key. You might have only just started the moving process, but the more prepared you are, the more time you have to resolve any issues and ensure everything goes according to plan.
Packing usually takes longer than you think, and there are probably things you can start packing now, alongside buying moving equipment. From kitchen utensils that you never use (although we would suggest just culling these) to seasonal wardrobes and Christmas decorations, you can start boxing these up to save time.
Move on to the rooms you use the least, including the loft or garage, and place the packed boxes in these spaces so there isn’t any added disruption to your life.
- Label Boxes
Once you have begun your packing, it’s time to focus on the labelling. You will want to know what is a priority for unpacking when you move in, so ensure your labelling is as detailed as possible.
For example, instead of writing ‘kitchen’, write ‘kitchen – mugs and glasses’. That way, you don’t need to open twenty boxes to find the mugs to make a cup of tea that’s been on your mind for hours!
As well as detail, make sure to label your boxes on the top and sides so it’s easy to read from whatever angle and however it’s stacked. If you are feeling really organised, you can colour code your boxes so it’s easy to tell at a quick glance what is for downstairs and upstairs or the kitchen and living room.
Finally, make sure you clearly label boxes that include fragile items to save any unpacking stress and upset.
- Keep Hardware Handy
Use tape or tupperware to keep your nails, screws, and bolts together. Make sure to label them so you know what goes with which piece of furniture.
There might still be some struggling when it comes to rebuilding your furniture, but at least you’ll have all the pieces you need!
- Take Photos
To make the reassembling of furniture slightly simpler, take pictures of your furniture set up and where pieces go if you think you are going to struggle. You’ll then have something to refer to.
We also mentioned setting up the dreaded WIFI earlier. So, make sure if you’re taking your box with you, you take a picture of where the cables are supposed to go. Repeat this process for any electrical devices you aren’t sure of.
Take pictures of each packed box, save them with a number, and label the box with the same number to speed up the unpacking process too.
Don’t forget to also take pictures of your water, gas and electric meters (if you have them) in both your current and new home to ensure you are paying the right amount.
- Declutter
One way you can make the packing and unpacking process simpler and less time-consuming is to have a big clear out beforehand! It’s time to Marie Kondo your home.
Donate, sell, or throw away any unwanted or unnecessary items. Here are some simple steps for decluttering your possessions.
- Dealing With Paperwork
Make sure you put together an ‘important files’ folder and keep it handy at all times. This should include passports, wills, insurance documents and anything you want to keep safe.
This will help to keep your mind at ease and mean you have any necessary house move paperwork somewhere easily accessible. It may also be a good idea to create electronic copies of important documents, saving them on a USB or via Dropbox so you have a backup.
- Clean
If you are lucky enough to receive your keys before your furniture starts to arrive, it’s a great idea to give your new home a quick clean! This is slightly therapeutic but also means you have time to fully assess the space and ensure there aren’t any nasty surprises.
Don’t forget to keep your cleaning supplies separate, or stock up before the big move so you aren’t waiting until your boxes arrive.
- Pack an Essentials Kit
Teabags, check. Toothpaste, check. Toilet roll, check.
Make sure you put together a moving day survival guide filled with essentials that you want to be able to quickly access once you get to your new home. Try not to go overboard, but essentials should include toiletries, chargers, entertainment for the kids, pet food etc.
Don’t forget to include bottled water and have your meals planned out. You could even bring along some paper plates and utensils if you can’t access your glasses and plates quickly and easily. This list of moving day essentials might come in handy.
- Familiarise Yourself with Your New Area
This is the fun part! Explore your new area. Depending on where you are going, this might not be possible. But, if you can, find your closest shops, restaurants and parks and get excited for your new home.
As well as this, look out for any access issues, narrow roads, or restricted parking so you and your movers aren’t caught out on move in day.
Ready for a Stress-Free House Move?
We’ve covered some simple tips that will help to make your house move as stress-free as possible. There will ultimately be some hiccups in the road but there are lots of resources out there that can help to put your mind at ease.
If you have any top moving tips, let us know in the comments below.
Photos by Julian Hochgesang, on Unsplash, HiveBoxx on Unsplash, Karolina Grabowska on Pexels and Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.