A Guide to Moving House
Old House
Packing
Organise your packing by rooms it will go into in the new house and try to do it gradually! If you don’t start soon enough you will be up all night the night before you move and probably end up breaking things! Also, by being organised with your packing it will help you to be organised when you get to your new home! Make sure each box/bag is clearly labelled which room it is intended for and which way up the box should be to avoid breakages and spillages.
Recycle your old newspapers – this is ideal for wrapping your breakables in – however you will end up with black hands and need to wash the items after unpacking them!
Collect boxes from your local supermarket or shops. Many places will be more than happy to let you have them as it saves them disposing of them. I would always try and call first to check they have some though to save a wasted journey.
If you are planning to get a removals company to do your packing for you make sure you give them clear instructions and don’t leave it till the last minute to book them just incase they can’t fit you in.
Make sure you have a ‘tea box’ – pack the essentials you need to make yourself a well-deserved cuppa! Include things like – kettle, mugs, teaspoons, tea, coffee, sugar, milk and a nice packet of biscuits to keep your energy levels up!
Pets
If you have any pets they may start to get a little distressed so try and keep them happy with extra treats! The night before you move if you have cats, keep them in with a litter tray. Keep them in one room and move the animals last – you want to keep them in a room where the door is closed otherwise they may run off and this can cause chaos! When you get your pets to the new house make sure they don’t run out an open door as they will probably try to find your old house – I would always keep cats in for at least 2 weeks so they have time to calm down and get used to their new surroundings! If your pets are micro chipped ensure you contact the companies with your new address details as well as telling your vets.
Meter Readings
Make sure you have contacted all your utilities companies (gas, electric, water, telephone, sky, council tax etc) to let them know you are moving house in advance.
On the day you move, if you have meters for your gas, electric or water, ensure that the last thing you do is to take the meter reading of them record them and call the appropriate companies so that they can forward you a final bill to your new address.
If you have a landline at your house, it is a good idea to check if you can stay with the same company or not at your new home, and also if you can keep your same telephone number. Likewise if you have satellite television or broadband. You may not be able to keep the same provider so make sure you find out in advance as sometimes you may have to give 30 days notice to cancel these types of services.
Make sure you call the council and let them know as your new home may be under a different council area. They will also need to check the ‘banding’ of your new home as you may have a higher council tax bill, almost certainly if you are moving into a larger house.
Cleaning
There is nothing worse than arriving at a house to find it dirty! Try and give your house a really good clean for the next people moving in. If you have packed in advance you can clean around the boxes and furniture, otherwise you may have to clean whilst stuff is being moved – as the new house will need cleaning on arrival you may want to get a friend to do one whilst you do the other if the timing makes this possible!
I usually leave a bottle of wine and ‘new home’ card for the people moving in – I think it’s a nice touch.
Change of Address Notification
Make a list of everyone you need to contact with your new address details – I have done a list to help, but you may need to adapt it.
New House
Meter Readings
Take all the meter readings straight away, and ensure that you call the appropriate companies as soon as possible to avoid any problems. Make sure you have got the details from the previous owners of which companies provide the gas, electric etc.
Cleaning
Next I always get on with the cleaning! Although a lot of people these days clean the house when they leave it – some don’t! Be prepared for a big job so that if it isn’t too bad it’s a bonus!
I always pack a box of cleaning materials and try to get there before the first load of boxes arrive!
Ensure you have – bathroom cleaner and cloth, bleach for toilet and brush, old nail brush or toothbrush to remove any built up dirt if necessary around the bath and sink, nice airfreshener for bathroom, kitchen cleaner and cloth, scourer for built in dirt, oven cleaner (if they are leaving you the oven), mop and disinfectant if there are any non-carpeted floors, polish and duster, window cleaner and cloth, hoover, a couple of nice air fresheners to give a nice smell, or some nice scented candles if you don’t have kids running about!
Admittedly some of this may not be necessary but is trying to account for a big cleaning job! Try to be methodical, clean the rooms where the boxes will be put first.
Unpacking
Start by unpacking the essentials – by this time you are probably worn out so don’t expect to be able to everything – Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Try to get the important things done so that you at least have somewhere to sleep, are able to have something to eat and drink (although I find a take away is the best idea!) and are able to have a wash and brush your teeth the next day!
Pets
When you get your pets to the new house make sure they don’t run out an open door as they will probably try to find your old house – I would always keep cats in for at least 2 weeks so they have time to calm down and get used to their new surroundings! If your pets are micro chipped ensure you contact the companies with your new address details as well as telling your vets.
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