A Checklist For Moving House: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Moving to a new house can be both exciting and daunting. As you prepare to embark on this new chapter in your life, it’s essential to plan and organize the move effectively to minimize stress and ensure a smooth transition. You want to feel positive throughout the moving home experience. Lomond Property presents the ultimate Moving House Checklist to help you navigate this journey with confidence. From decluttering and packing to selecting a reliable moving company, this guide will cover all the crucial steps you need to take for a successful and stress-free move.
1. Create a Timeline (2 weeks to 3 months before the move):
Begin by setting a moving date and work backward to create a timeline that includes tasks like notifying your current and future utilities providers, transferring school records, and scheduling time off work for the move.
2. Declutter and Downsize:
Before packing, go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This not only lightens your load but also makes unpacking at your new home more manageable. You can even take the opportunity to sell things on marketplaces like eBay or Vinted to help cover the cost of the move.
3. Gather Packing Supplies:
Acquire boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and other necessary supplies. Lomond Property recommends labeling your boxes clearly, making it easier to unpack and locate items. With so many boxes making the move, you need to make it simple at the other side in terms of removal men (and/or your handy helpers) knowing which room to put the boxes in. The last thing you want is someone carrying a box meant for the kitchen up 2 flights of stairs, only to be told to turn around and go back down again!
4. Notify Important Parties:
Alert essential parties about your upcoming move. This includes updating your address with the post office, informing banks, insurance companies, utility providers and notifying neighbours, friends and family.
5. Hire a Reputable Moving Company:
If you decide to hire professional movers, research and choose a reliable company well in advance. Get quotes and check references to ensure a smooth moving experience. You can check places like Google, Facebook and TrustPilot to see what existing reviews they have.
6. Plan for Children and Pets:
If you have children or pets, plan their care during the moving process. Arrange for a sitter or a trusted friend to look after them on moving day. Moving house usually means all-hands-n-deck, so lots of heavy boxes and boots on the ground. This can be quite a dangerous environment, both for the small children and pets, but also the people carrying the boxes.
7. Organize Important Documents:
Gather and secure important documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and financial records. Keep these in a safe, easily accessible place during the move. We would recommend this being a smaller box that you personally take yourself. Just for peace of mind.
8. Pack Room by Room:
Begin packing room by room, starting with items you use the least. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, making unpacking efficient.
9. Disassemble Furniture:
If necessary, disassemble larger furniture items to make them easier to transport. Keep all hardware and instructions together in a labeled bag. Beware that items can get damaged in transit if not carefully protected, which is why you should have plenty of bubble wrap on hand. You can even get cardboard bubble wrap, for the eco-conscious among us.
10. Arrange for Cleaning Services:
Schedule a cleaning service for both your current and new homes. This ensures a fresh start in your new space. If you end up moving on an extremely rainy day your house could end up getting extremely mucky. You could choose to buy some floor protection so your carpets and flooring are protected from the worst of the damage.
11. Update Your Address:
Update your address with important institutions, including banks, councils, and subscription services. Don’t forget to redirect your mail.
12. Defrost and Empty Appliances:
Ensure that all appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, are defrosted and cleaned before the move.
Moving House Checklist PDF
This article can be printed using Right Click > Print, meaning you can have it by your side during the move.
Final Word From Lomond Property
Moving house can be a significant undertaking, but with careful planning and organisation, it can also be a rewarding experience. The Lomond Property Moving House Checklist is your comprehensive guide to a stress-free move. By following these steps and staying organized, you’ll be well on your way to a successful transition to your new home. Remember, preparation is the key to a smooth move, so take your time, stay organized, and enjoy the exciting journey ahead. Good luck with your new adventure!
At Lomond Property we have helped thousands of people move home in Ayrshire. If you’re thinking of moving home at some time in the future, reach out to us today for an early discussion. Selling houses in Ayrshire is what we do best.
Joe Gilligan, Director, Lomond Property Ayrshire