#Collaborative post
If you are writing a moving home checklist, stop! Firstly get yourself a cuppa and give yourself a 5-minute break as moving home is a lot of work, mentally and physically. Whether this first move you have made or even if you are a veteran when it comes to moving, it takes a lot of time to get moved. We have only moved a couple of times and I hated it every time. There is just so much to think about, it wasn’t something I wanted to do very often. With our plans for early retirement though, we know we have 1 more move at least coming up and that one is likely to be a big one!
Once you have given yourself a break, there are now several things you will need to make your life a little easier. Depending on budget, some of these items you will be able to hire in help to make your life a little easier, if not, take it one step at a time. You are only human, you can’t do everything all at the same time.
Moving home checklist
1 – Have a clear-out
Before you start to pack up your home and get quotes to move home, start looking around and working out what you are actually planning to take with you. It is time for you to be a little ruthless if you are a hoarder. It doesn’t mean you have to bin everything, if there are some items you can sell, why not use these to help with the moving costs. Other items could maybe be donated to a local charity and some items will maybe just need to go in the bin. If you have a lot of bits to get rid of, let’s face it many of us might have, it might be easier and cheaper to consider hiring a skip. This way there are no runs to the tip and it is quick and easy to dispose of things.
There is no point in taking items that you are never going to use, why waste the time and effort in moving the items? If your move is taking a while and you have some items you are unsure about, why not think about using a storage facility such as Magenta self storage to store some items whilst you are preparing the move. It is also a handy option should you be renovating your new home, with fewer things to workaround!
2 – Inform your suppliers of a change of address
Once you have your confirmed moving in date, you will need to start informing all your suppliers of a change of address, this is a pretty long list of people you will need to consider depending on what you currently use. These can include:
- Cable TV
- Broadband
- Mobile phone
- Insurances (car, house, pet, life, etc)
- DVLA
- Work – payroll and pension
- Bank
- Doctors
- Dentist
- Optician
- Credit card/store cards
- Schools – if you have children
You may need to provide some of these companies with a change of address such as a lease agreement or mortgage letter.
3 – Plan your mail redirect
If you have notified all of the above, you may worry a little about those you have missed off the list. The best way around this is to pay for a mail redirect.
For us, we paid Royal Mail for their redirect service to ensure our post got to our new address. I know this is an expense but if it means your post is going to arrive at the right address and can be dealt with then it is one that is a must. It also allowed me to notify those that I had missed off the list of our move.
4 – Organise your moving day
Are you planning to move by hiring a van or getting a company in to help? Depending on the option you pick, there will be days of effort or a few hours of work involved on your part. Many companies that come and help you move also offer the chance for you to allow them to pack your home and move it all to your new home with you just needing to unbox the other end. Of course, this will all come down to money for most people and how much you are willing to let someone pack up your home.
These people are experienced in this and will crack through it and make it easy for you, however, don’t be disheartened if this is not in your budget. You will just need to get yourself organised to do the same!
When you start packing, make sure you pack in rooms and write it on the outside of the box. Then when you get off at the other end, you can take the boxes off to the write room and deal with it there when you are ready.
5 – Pack an essentials box
Moving is hectic at the best of times, with people coming and going and boxes everywhere. Packing an essentials box will make things so much easier! This box can come with you in the car on your journey and be the first one in the new home. If you are not sure what I mean by an essentials box, think of everything you will need to hand throughout the day:
- Toilet roll – very important!
- Tea bags/coffee
- Mugs
- Teaspoons
- Phone charger
- Kettle
Anything that would make the first night in your new home easier, having it to hand means you will not waste time hunting things out for the next day!
6 – Enjoy your new home
If you spend the first night sat on the floor eating takeaway out of the box, who cares. Take in the sheer amount of work it has taken to get to here and appreciate the amazing things you have achieved to get to this moment.
When you moved the boxes into the new home, if you placed them in the right rooms, it will allow you to unpack as you go along. Some people like to unpack quick so they can enjoy their new surroundings. Others like to take their time. You should do what works for you.
For those planning some renovation, now is the time to keep things boxed for as long as possible. It just keeps everything safely covered whilst the work is being carried out.
Moving home can be a stressful experience, but once you have got over the threshold of your new home, make the most of the new memories you will be creating there. It won’t take long for you to make it feel like home again when you get all your items back out and in their new positions at the new home.
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