Moving Home: Your Guide to a Smooth Move
Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter in life, but it can also be a stressful time without proper planning and organisation. To ensure a smooth move to your new home, it’s important to create a pre-moving checklist. This checklist will serve as your roadmap, guiding you through the necessary tasks and preparations leading up to moving day. In this article, we’ll outline the key items to include in your pre-moving checklist, setting the foundation for a stress-free move.
1. Start Early with a Moving Timeline
The first step in achieving a smooth move is to start early.
Creating a moving timeline can help you stay organised and reduce last-minute stress. Begin planning at least 8 to 12 weeks before your move date. Break down tasks week by week, focusing on decluttering, packing, hiring a removals company, and notifying relevant parties about your upcoming move.
2. Determine Your Moving Date
Consider a window of dates for when you can move. Consider factors such as lease agreements, closing dates, and work schedules when selecting a date that works best for you. Aim to schedule your move at least 4-8 weeks in advance to ensure availability with removals companies and avoid any last-minute rush.
3. Arrange for Child and Pet Care
If you have children or pets, arrange for their care on moving day. Consider enlisting the help of family members, friends, or professional caregivers to ensure their safety and well-being during the hectic moving process. Set up a designated area away from the chaos where they can relax until it’s time to depart for your new home.
4. Declutter and Streamline
Moving provides an excellent opportunity to declutter your belongings. Before packing, go through each room and assess what items you truly need. Donate, sell, or discard items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. This not only reduces the number of things you have to move but also helps you start fresh in your new home. Remember, the more you move the higher the removals costs
5. Create an Inventory List
As you declutter and pack, maintain a detailed inventory list of your belongings. This list will serve as a valuable reference during the packing and unpacking process. Label boxes with corresponding room names and numbers, making it easier to place items in their designated spaces in your new home.
You will also need to provide the removals company with an indication of what items are to be moved. This will allow them to create a quote based on the right size vehicle and staffing levels to ensure your move goes without issues on the move day.
6. Research and Hire a Reputable Removals Company
Choosing the right removals company is crucial for a smooth move. Research local companies, read reviews, and obtain quotes from at least three different providers. Consider factors such as experience, insurance coverage, and customer testimonials. Once you’ve made a decision, book the removals company well in advance to secure your preferred moving date.
Only ever book a removal company who will provide a contract, invoice and receipts … Along with a landline and physical address.
Yes, we consider ourselves as one of the best removal companies in Manchester. This has been backed up by over 600 reviews rating our service as ‘Excellent’. of course speak to other companies to see how they compare.
7. Gather Packing Supplies
Ensure you have an ample supply of packing materials before you start packing. This includes sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers. Having the right materials on hand will make the packing process more efficient and help protect your belongings during transit.
We can supply and deliver your packing materials – boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, wardrobe boxes.
8. Pack Room by Room
To maintain organization during the packing process, tackle one room at a time. Start with the rooms you use less frequently, such as spare bedrooms or storage areas. Clearly label each box with its contents and destination room. Consider color-coding or numbering boxes for quick identification on moving day.
9. Pack an Essentials Box
Pack a separate essentials box containing items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medication, and basic kitchen items. Having these items easily accessible will make the first day in your new home more comfortable.
This will also save you having to rummage through packed boxes looking for items you need for the first night and morning in your new home. Also, important in case there are delays and you are unable to get into your home and have to stay elsewhere.. it does happen!
10. Notify Important Parties
Inform relevant parties about your upcoming move, including utility companies, the post office, and any subscription services. Set up the disconnection of utilities at your current address and arrange for them to be connected at your new home. Forward your mail to your new address to ensure you receive important documents and correspondence.
11. Take Care of Legal and Financial Matters
If you’re moving to a new city or state, update your address on legal and financial documents. Notify your bank, credit card companies, and any other relevant institutions about your change of address. Ensure that you’ve transferred your medical records to a healthcare provider near your new location.
12. Plan for Moving Day
As moving day approaches, confirm the details with your chosen removals company. Prepare a moving day kit with snacks, water, important documents, and any necessary medications. Coordinate with the removals team to ensure a smooth loading and unloading process.
13. Conduct a Final Walkthrough
Before leaving your current home, conduct a final walkthrough to ensure you haven’t overlooked anything. Check each room, closet, and storage space to make sure nothing is left behind. Secure all windows and doors, and leave a note with your new address for the new occupants if applicable.
14. Settling into Your New Home
Once you arrive at your new home, take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout. Unpack the essentials box first and gradually work through the rest of your belongings. Assemble furniture, arrange items according to your pre-planned layout, and make any necessary adjustments.
Conclusion: A Smooth Move Awaits
By following this pre-moving checklist, you’ll set the foundation for a stress-free and successful move to your new home. From establishing your moving date to arranging for specialized item transport, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition. With proper planning and organization, you can embark on your moving journey with confidence, ready to embrace the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
At Manchester Removals and Storage, we are here to help you move home in Manchester, providing a full range of services to ensure that your move goes smoothly and expected.
We are a 5 star rated removals company and truly believe that moving home is not just about moving furniture, its is about looking after you, the home-mover. Get in contact with us to have a chat about your move.