Moving house need not be stressful if you prepare well in advance. Wolton Removals have put together a ‘Handy Tips and Check List for Moving House’ to help guide you through your relocation.
Establish a date for moving, usually the completion date – Try to avoid Fridays and Bank Holiday weekends as these can work out to be more expensive when booking a Removal Company due to demand.
When booking a Removal Company, check they are insured and established, preferably with references from previous customers, check online.
Be realistic about your requirements – Some Removal Companies offer a packing service and will provide free packing boxes, like Wolton Removals; remember that anything you pack yourself may not be covered by the removal firm’s insurance, check first. If you are planning to transport any precious items yourself, check these are covered when in transit by your contents insurance.
Start as soon as possible by having a clear out of cupboards, wardrobes, drawers, garage and attic – allow plenty of time for this as looking through photos and reading old letters can take longer than you think! These items can be boxed, re-cycled or binned a couple of months before the move.
Start using things up, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at www.usps.gov.
Inform your neighbours of your new address and to look out for mail after you’ve moved.
If you are thinking of fitting new carpets to the house you are moving to, it may be advisable to wait until after the move, there will be a lot of traffic through the house on the day of the move, and it may be raining.
You may need to put some items into Storage – Ask your removal company for details. Insurance can be arranged through the storage firm or through your household insurance.
One Month Before
Notify relevant parties of your move and new address:
• Telephone and Internet service providers
• Utility companies and arrange meter readings
• Contents and Building Insurance
• TV Licensing, you won’t be covered at your new address. Simply log on to tvlicensing.co.uk or call 0844 800 6722 and follow the instructions.
• Banks, building societies, pension provider and any company you have loans or investments with.
• Credit card and store card companies.
• Inland Revenue – see hmrc.gov.uk for a list of offices.
• Local council regarding council tax
• Subscriptions to magazines, charities, etc.
• Employers
• Schools
• DVLA – It is a legal requirement to renew your driving licence and vehicle registration document
• Register with a Dentist and Doctors Surgery and arrange for your medical records to be sent on or obtain copies of them yourself.
Two Weeks Before
Time to finish packing – Start with items you seldom use like games and out of season clothes. Make sure all your boxes are labelled clearly with the destination on the top of the box for the removal company, for example: ‘Garage’ or ‘Bedroom 1’, you may want to write the general contents on the side of the box for yourself.
Notify friends and relatives with change of address cards.
One Week Before
If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.
Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions and a map if necessary to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your mobile phone number.
If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment and tip. If the staff has done a good job, around 10 percent of the total fee is a good tip. Don’t forget that refreshments are always appreciated.
Organise a list of what you will need as soon as you arrive, for example: kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk, glasses, plates, cutlery, tea towels, towels, soap, light bulbs, toiletries, toys, clothes for that evening and the following day, have the boxes ready to take with you in your car.
Moving Day
Make sure the removals lorry that shows up is from the company you hired! Scams are not unheard-of. All you packing should be complete, labelled and ready to move into the lorry or van.
Finally, before you leave, have a last look around to check there is nothing left in the garage, attic or garden. Hand in the Key and let the movers use their experience to complete the job.
Wolton Removals meet the above critria to ensure your house move is streamlined and stress free.
