Moving

Category Archives: Moving

Booking a Removal Company

When booking a removal company, its important to do so as far in advance of your move date as possible – removal firms who do all of the packing and moving for you expect to be able to come out and assess your belongings, for insurance and van/person ell cover.

It’s important to de-clutter, or have a guesstimate of how much you’ll have de-cluttered before you move so that they can give you an accurate quote. If you overestimate the space you need, you’ll not get a refund, and find that space is wasted – especially, if you book a larger van than you require. Too small and you may find that your belongings don’t fit, or that you get charged extra. You also might not get to move that day, if they have to unload one van and reload another, or book another transport for your belongings.

Buying Boxes

Boxes and bags are the staple for moving – whether you’re using plastic boxes and under bed storage containers, or getting cardboard ones – using suitcases, or black and plastic bags, you’ll need to consider how many you need and allow for extra. You’ll also need newspapers, paper, packing foam and/or bubble wrap. You’ll also need tape, a marker pen and if you get them, stickers to mark your boxes.

Buying boxes and containers from hardware stores or supermarkets is a good way to get sturdy, reusable containers for your new house, but may not prove to be cost effective if you’ve got lots of belongings. Boxes are a good, cheap alternative to plastic containers and can be bought from websites, along with tape and stickers to mark your boxes.

Cleaning Tips

One of the most annoying things about moving house is the cleaning – and removing stubborn stains and marks is one of the hardest things to do when prepping your house for a move. Its always important, when using these tips to spot test and ensure that you won’t be doing more damage than good. You should also always take your cleaning items with you – a box of your most commonly used items or a checklist can save you time and effort in the long run.

Some of the most common stains and marks can be removed with ease – with every day household items.

Five Top Packing Tips

1) Boxes are a staple for moving because they are usually quite regular sized, easy to carry and if taped together correctly, rarely fall apart. Regular sizes are important for maximizing your van space and ensuring you’re not wasting areas in your transport that could otherwise be filled. On the flip side, bags can be compressed anywhere! It is possible however for bags to be mistaken for rubbish.

2) Bags are good for items like clothing, and bedding, and when you’ve ran out of boxes to pack anything. Teddies and soft toys work well in bags – edged objects, or items that are likely to be too heavy to carry in a plastic bag would probably work better in boxes. Bags also work well with linens.

Hiring a company to move you

Hiring a company to move you is something that you may want to consider if you’ve got enough money to do so, and can’t afford the time to do it yourself, or its impossible for you to pack and move.

Moving companies offer several great reasons to hire them – with different levels of service. From companies who will show up and move you and your belongings to companies who will pack, clean and move your belongings from place to place.

There are also more and more ‘complete’ package companies springing up, designed especially professionals – allowing them to move to their job, without the hassle of it all. These companies do it all – from finding a suitable house within your price range and requirements, to packing you and moving you in. Some even unpack at the other end for you.

Long Distance Moves

Sometimes, moves take us hundred’s of miles from our home town – to new states, countries or continents.
These moves are harder to plan for, and require much more stringent assessment of belongings, so that you can afford the move itself.

Long distance moves are harder on families who are used to supporting one another – you’ll often find that your phone bill increases and that you’ll have more problems adjusting if you’re moving away from familial support – if you’re moving TO your family though, you can be sure that things may get easier – if a little nutty. Moving back to one, or both families guarantees that your life will probably be filled with help – or interference, depending on how you view your family’s input – either way, its worth it, once you find clear and consistent boundaries.

Moving Day

The day of your move is all about getting you out of one house and into the new one – if you’ve hired a company, all you’ll need do is oversee them, or stay out of their way entirely. If you haven’t, its important to have some strong family members and friends on hand to help you shift everything into your van.

Empty one room at a time, and ensure the cupboards (if they are walk in) are also empty – once its done, sweep, mop or vacuum, and do one final pickup then close the door. Make it clear to the others helping you that sealed rooms are finished with, so that people aren’t trailing dirt into rooms that are finished and clean.

One month to go

At one month out, you should consider booking your van. This is important because the longer you leave your bookings, the harder it may be to get an affordable moving company. This also goes for moving, if you’re allowing a firm to pack and move you.

Packing firms may also need plenty of warning to be booked, so ensure you investigate this fully before committing to booking them with a month of time. You may need to book them sooner., or may have a little leeway. Booking at one month in advance (or more) also means its easier to collect and decide, impartially on the quotes you collected in the previous weeks. These quotes may have seemed a long way off, but at 30 or so days until you move, it may seem like a long way off, but depending on the size of your house it may be no time at all.

Packing Order

Optimal packing order is based entirely on preference. Some people like to pack their living room last – some like to pack rooms in two lots – one round to remove the non essentials, and one round to complete packing, others still like to pack where they can, when they can.

Deciding on what’s unimportant and can be packed first is a good place to start. After de-cluttering thoroughly, packing any books, and out of season clothes, you can start deciding on a packing schedule. Your packing schedule should take into account any redecorating or repairs you want to undertake – and should also allow for anything you need to use.

Preparing your old house for sale

If you’re selling your house, you have to do several things to ensure its ready for a smooth and easy sale. You can hire an estate agent, interior stager or complete sales teams to sell your house – or you can do it yourself.

Houses are considered to be easiest to sell when they are clean, tidy, free of clutter, and the walls are neutrally toned – some sites and experts suggest painting your walls white, others suggest that you should paint them with pale, neutral, matching colors. If this isn’t possible, it is important to make sure your walls are clean – removing clutter and cleaning woodwork and painted walls, can give your room a much needed lift.