I can tell you first hand that this Autumn has not been the easiest time to move house, particularly with all the speculation around Rachel Reeves’ Budget and what it could mean for home-buying and selling (thank goodness I have not just moved into a £2million, soon-to-be-mansion-taxed house).
While I had to battle with a lot of uncertainty around mortgage rates and taxes in my recent move, there were areas where I felt I had more control – for example, the physical moving of my possessions from one property to another. Having very recently been through the process, with two young children in tow, I’ve learnt a lot about the do’s and don’ts of moving. Here’s are my top tips for a smooth move…
Make time to declutter before you move
I was only half successful on this front, but given the astounding volume of boxes that did get moved to my new place, I’m glad I shifted several bin bags worth before departure. Selling old clothes, toys and ornaments on secondhand platforms like Vinted can be profitable, but if you need to get rid of a serious amount of things fast, I recommend a car boot sale. I made over £300 at my local car boot, and sold all sorts of things, from a huge bag of Yorkshire Tea (I only drink decaf) to a selection of handbags that were way too glamorous for my life as a busy mother. I also took lots of unused items down to my local charity shop.
To be honest I wish I’d done more – I’m now having to implement further pruning while I unpack at the other end – but anything you can do to reduce the load will make a big difference when it comes to the move itself.
‘Decluttering is the single most important thing you can do before a move,’ confirms Scott White, group sales manager at removal and storage firm Bishop’s Move. ‘Start weeks in advance by sorting what you actually want to take – donate, recycle, or sell what you no longer need. It saves time, space, and money.’
Don’t leave it last minute to find a removals company
I’ve done all sorts of house moves in my lifetime: one where I simply bundled all my possessions into a black cab, another where I hired two men with a van to move me from flat to flat, and most recently, the full-on professional operation. The key thing in the last scenario is not to leave it too late to find the right company.
White says you should source a removals firm ‘ideally as soon as you have a moving date in mind – or at least four to six weeks before completion. Reputable removals firms book up quickly, especially at busy times of year. Most trustworthy companies won’t “pencil in” a date until contracts are exchanged, because moving dates often shift. However, by getting a quote early and opening a dialogue, you’ll be in the best position to secure your preferred date once everything is confirmed.’
If you can afford it, opt for the packing service
Friends with kids had told me the packing service – where a professional team box up your possessions, dismantle beds etc. for you – is an absolute non-negiotable for time-poor parents. Thank god I listened to them, because it made the whole experience far less stressful. I would’ve lost my mind having to do all the disassembling and boxing up, alongside looking after two kids and working a full-time job. As it was, I didn’t even need to be there on the packing day, and a job that would have taken my husband and I about a month to achieve took three men a single day.
I actually don’t think it’s just parents who would benefit from this service – anyone who can afford a few hundred pounds extra should do it. As White says, ‘A common mistake is underestimating just how long packing takes – for most people it’s a huge job that drags on, whereas for our professionally trained crews it’s second nature and done in a fraction of the time.’
Of course, this option isn’t affordable to everyone, or you might simply prefer to pack yourself. In this case, White’s advice is ‘Use sturdy, professional boxes – supermarket ones are often too weak. Dedicate time each day to a room at a time, and finish it before moving on. Wrap breakables individually in paper or bubble wrap, and clearly mark fragile boxes. Keep an inventory so you know what’s where. And don’t overfill, especially with books – heavy boxes should still be liftable. Whilst suitcases and bags are useful, they can be difficult to load into a van safely, so less of these is better.’
Give every box a specific label
Whether you’re packing yourself or having it done for you, adding very clear labels to all the brown boxes will save you a huge amount of bother at the other end. If you can get involved with the labelling then do – you know the difference between a box of saucepans you’re going to need to unpack straight away, versus a box of kitchen bits that can wait a few weeks, and having clear labels (rather than just ‘kitchen stuff’) will help you ferret out what you really need at the other end.
‘Labelling is key: mark each box clearly with the room it’s destined for, and if possible, add a priority note (e.g. Kitchen – High Priority). That way you know which ones to open first and which can wait a day or two,’ says White.
Don’t forget the hidden storage
When I moved, we had to empty a big shared cupboard in the communal hallway, which had become a dumping ground for things we rarely needed (outdoor cushions, spare pillows, foot pumps – you know the type of thing!). Unfortunately we couldn’t quite bear to tackle this cupboard in advance, so on the day everything from it got packed up (including stuff belonging to other people in our block of flats, which we then sheepishly had to bring back from our new house). It was entirely our fault for not tackling the cupboard in advance, but the moral of the story is – whether you have a loft, shed, garage or whatever – sort out as much of the contents in advance. Get rid of what you can, categorise what’s left so it doesn’t get moved in one big higgledy-piggledy assortment and try to work out where you might want it at the other end. ‘Items in the attic need to be got down before moving day,’ confirms White.
Don’t assume moving a short distance will make things much easier
My own house move was a ridiculously short distance (we were upsizing rather than going for a major geographical change). I thought this would mean we simply had to carry a few bits over the road in boxes – but no.
‘A big misconception is that moving across the road or around the corner is somehow easier – but the same rules as with bigger moves apply,’ explains White. ‘Properties must be emptied to provide vacant possession, and you can’t access your new home until the keys are officially released.’
For us, this meant despite only moving over the road, we had to pack and load up every single possession onto a van so our old flat was vacant, before we could get the keys to the new place and empty the van. It’s worth being aware of this stuff so you can mentally (and financially) prepare yourself!
Don’t do your back in while ‘helping’
On the day of my move, one of the removal men warned me I was going to hurt my back if I kept emptying boxes that were on the floor (his advice: stack boxes on top of each other and then empty the top one, so you’re not constantly bending).
It’s also tempting to get involved with moving furniture and heavy boxes about, but this is best avoided, says White. ‘Moving heavy furniture yourself might feel like a way to save money, but it’s also one of the quickest ways to end up in A&E. Professionals have the right equipment and training to move safely, so it’s well worth leaving the heavy lifting to us,’ he says.
Be aware of what you can and can’t take from your old property
Every person I’ve spoken to seems to have a different opinion on what you can take from your old house, as well as the state you should leave it in. Personally, I felt it was good karma to leave the place in as clean and functional state as we possibly could – with no holes in the wall.
White says: ‘Legally, anything that’s fixed to the property is assumed to stay unless you’ve agreed otherwise with the buyer in the fixtures and fittings form. Freestanding items are yours to take. If in doubt, check with your solicitor. Our tip is to be realistic – if you love a light fitting or mirror, make sure you have told your solicitor, estate agent and buyer that it is not included in the sale or take it down early and replace it before the house is marketed, to avoid confusion.’
Mind the breakables
Again, one of the big benefits of a professional packing service is that fragile bits are less likely to get broken.
‘Glassware, crockery, mirrors, and flat-screen TVs are the most vulnerable,’ says White. So how can you protect them? ‘The key is good quality double-walled boxes, lots of packing paper, and padding. Pack heavy items at the bottom and lighter on top. Professional wrapping of pictures, mirrors, and TVs is highly recommended – we use specialist materials for these.’
Allow kids to feel involved with the move
My children are two and five, so were both very much conscious of what was going on, albeit with varying levels of understanding. One of the best things I did was bring my older child over to the new house before we moved, so that she understood where we were going and what her new bedroom would look like. She also needed lots of reassurance that all our possessions would be coming with us (remember this is not obvious to a five-year-old). For the move itself, I asked the kids to pack a box each (mainly with teddies) which they could then carry in and unpack themselves later that day – it made them feel like they had an element of involvement and control.
White’s advice is similar. ‘For children, it vastly depends on their age and where you are moving to, but we always recommend talking to them about the move early on so they feel involved rather than excluded,’ he says. ‘Simple things like letting them help pack a box of toys or choose the colour of their new bedroom can make them feel excited rather than anxious. On moving day itself, it’s usually best to keep them out of the house during the busiest periods – whether that’s with grandparents, friends, or in daycare. Pack a small “first night” box for them with bedtime essentials like favourite toys (there’s nothing worse than not being able to find that snuggly teddy), comfort blankets, pyjamas, books, and even their school uniform if it’s term time. Having those familiar things at hand helps them settle quickly in their new room.’
As for the older kids? ‘Teenagers tend to prefer a little more independence, let them plan their new room and get involved as much as they want to.’
Take care when moving pets
White says ‘familiarity and calm’ as just as important to pets as to kids. ‘Dogs and cats can become stressed with all the disruption, so it’s wise to keep them in a quiet room or their crate to ensure they are not scared or get in the way of the removal team at work,’ he says. ‘It can also be a good idea to arrange for a pet sitter, doggy day care or cattery on moving day if they are used to this to really make sure they are safe on the day. Make sure you pack their essentials – bedding, toys, leads, litter trays, and food – in an easy-to-reach box so you can set them up straight away at the new home. You also need to remember to update microchips with your new home address. Smaller pets, like rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, tend to be happy in their hutches until it is time to move.’
Keep your valuables and essentials with you
There were certain things I really didn’t want to go missing in the move – the family passports, mobile phones and chargers, sentimental jewellery and so on. I kept a bag with me that had all these bits in, which I something I would recommend everyone should do.
You should also ‘plan for the unexpected’ says White. ‘Completion can sometimes be delayed, so always keep snacks, drinks, and essentials handy in the car.’
Tea, coffee and biscuits are a priority
My mum – who came to help with the kids on moving day (thank god) – was horrified when she discovered I didn’t have any biscuits for the removal team. After being dispatched to Sainsbury’s for tea, coffee, milk and Hobnobs I realised that fuelling the team is essential; no one can move an entire house without a cuppa.
Strategise your unpacking
‘Most people don’t get access to their new home until the afternoon, so you won’t have time (or energy!) to fully unpack on day one,’ says White. ‘That’s why it’s so important to prepare an essentials box that travels with you and is easy to grab straight away.
‘Think about the things you’ll need to eat, wash, relax, and sleep comfortably: bedding, toiletries, a change of clothes, medication, chargers, and basic kitchen kit like a kettle, mugs, plates, and cutlery. Add in the things that make life instantly easier – your Wi-Fi router, TV, controllers, and any remotes or cables you’ll want for winding down in the evening.
‘With those sorted, you can sleep, eat, and celebrate your new home – everything else can follow over the next few days at a calmer pace.’
Don’t forget the utilities
‘Notify utilities and change addresses well in advance so you’re not chasing admin on moving day,’ advises White. ‘Here’s a simple but often overlooked tip: on the morning of your move, take photos of your utility meters (gas, electricity, and water) before you leave. That way you’ll have a dated reference in case of any billing disputes later on.’
Accept that it will take a while to feel normal
There’s such a huge (and often stressful) build-up to moving house that afterwards you can feel pretty wrung out. I assumed I’d simply be walking round in a state of glee as soon as I moved, but in reality I felt a bit strange. After messaging some friends who’d moved house I discovered everyone felt exactly the same after a big move – even if you’re happy to have made the transition, the emotional rollercoaster of moving can leave you feeling a bit unmoored (as can realising how much you still have left to do). Friends told me I’d settle in quickly and two weeks later I can confirm the weird feeling has left and I am thrilled with my new house. Just don’t let me EVER think about buying and selling again…
