9
tips to
Moving Home
A removals lorry turned up
at my neighbours recently
and it got me thinking about
how stressful moving home
can be. As someone that
has had more than my fair
share of house moves I
thought that I would share
a few tips that I have picked
up from various sources
that will make it easier for
you and those that will be
moving in to your old place.
q
First up visit the App Store and
download our MoveEasier App which
has been designed to help remove the
stress and frustration of moving house.
It’s full of tips, checklists and useful
contacts. It’s completely free.
w
Decide on a moving date (usually
the completion date) as soon as
contracts have been exchanged. Your
conveyancer will help to advise on a
good date. Avoid Fridays and bank
holidays when removal firms are in high
demand and will be stretched (and may
charge more). For a less stressful move,
opt for off-peak times such as mid-week
if you can. Don’t forget to tell your utility
and broadband providers as well as set
up a redirection service for your mail.
e
Ask friends or relatives to
recommend removal firms. Failing that,
the British Association of Removers
(BAR) will be able to supply details of
approved members in your area. They
operate within a code of practice and
offer an independent conciliation and
arbitration service in case of complaint.
r
Ensure your possessions are
insured for transit. Most removal
companies provide this but check what it
covers and whether there are exclusions.
For example, anything you pack may
not be covered by the removal firm’s
insurance. And if you are planning to
transport any precious items yourself,
check that these are covered by your
contents insurance whilst in transit.
t
Not every house we have moved
into has been quite as clean as I’d
hoped. If you can, hire professional
cleaners to give your new place a
thorough going over before you move
everything in. Some removal firms will
arrange to do this.
y
Have a good clear out. Emptying
junk from one loft just to transport into
another loft seems crazy to me. Our rule
is: if you haven’t used it or seen it in six
months then is it really worth keeping?
Probably not, so get rid of it. Valuable
items that are no longer needed can be
sold to a dealer or on eBay. Other items
can be donated to charity shops (we
favour Chestnut Tree House).
u
Get someone to look after the
children for the day so you don’t have to
worry about them whilst you are in the
process of moving. The same goes for
pets - or book them into kennels or a
cattery. Don’t forget to get identity tags
with their new address (for the pets not
the kids!).
i
I hate it when I move into a new
place and the heating system controls
make no sense or when there is a ‘knack’
to making the appliances work. Compile
a file for the people who are moving into
your old property, such as instruction
leaflets and service information for the
heating system and appliances you’re
leaving, together with details of rubbish
collection and recycling etc.
o
Round up all the keys to your
old home, including those left with
neighbours, friends and relatives, and
the ones for sheds, windows and patio
doors. Label them and leave them
somewhere that the new owners will find
them easily.
By Jason Edge
99