23 Essential Preperations for Moving House

The Ultimate moving checklist

Moving house can be one of the most stressful things you will ever do, but things can be made easier by proper planning. Although not as same as an invasion of a moderately sized country, the planning should be on the same scale.

1. Prepare mentally for the change. Stress can be relieved by knowing what is expected, fear is often because of the unknown.

You don’t have to light candles and incense and sit cross legged in front of a statue of Kirsty Allsopp. But having a quiet moment or two to get your mind ready for the maelstrom may be a good idea.

2. Expect to take time to adjust to your new surroundings. It takes time to make your new home personal.

It may be your dream house and you may even own it on paper, but until the air is heavy with your presence it may not feel like it. Familiarity will come with time and your new house will soon be your new home. Personalise as soon as possible

3. Give the change time to settle. Don’t expect to keep to your regular routine.

4. If moving with a partner or a spouse make sure they are involved in the moving process to ensure a united front. Arguments often arise from not being consulted or views being ignored.

5. Be prepared to compromise with your partner on possible moving days.
You may be so absorbed in the minutiae of moving, you may have completely ignored your partner or spouses needs. Make sure the moving day is a joint decision

6. Be sure that utilities such as gas, electric, water etc. have all been shut of and the respective companies notified. Seems obvious, but that moving day can sneak up on you before you know it and you have to frantically ring around to get everything cancelled.

7. Make sure you have a written agreement with the sellers on any extras not listed on the contract. The sellers may have told you they are leaving you the toilet seat and you thought it too impolite to ask, but if it’s not down in writing, you can never be sure.

8. Defrost your fridge a day or two before you move. Doing it on the day may mean you have to leave whilst it is still melting causing a possible flood.

9. Number your boxes and keep a corresponding inventory, listing contents in an easy to understand format.

10. Cancel the newspapers, milk, etc.

11. Fully charge all your mobile devices such as mobile phones, Ipods, etc.

12. Prepare a survival kit containing items to keep you going for 24 hours in your new home, without having to unpack anything. Things like:

• Kettle, coffee, tea, milk, sugar.
• Plastic cutlery
• Snacks, chocolate, biscuits, crisps etc.
• Required medications
• Light bulbs - it would be nice if the sellers left theirs, but just in case.
• Toilet roll
• Toiletries, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
• A fresh change of clothes
• Bedding or sleeping bags
• A portable CD/MP3 player?radio, to keep you motivated.

15. Have a map of the local area around your new home with all the important locations identified, such as supermarkets, police station, petrol station , etc.

16. Prepare a list of emergency contacts for you to call if things get a little sticky. Such as plumber, electrician, locksmith, etc. It will be a lot easier researching these before you move than when you are ankle deep in water flicking through the Yellow pages.

17. Make sure your insurance overlaps with the old and new house. This will mean you will be covered when you travel with your processions, of course your removal company will be insured for things at their end.

18. If you have young children, arrange for a responsible adult to look after them whilst the move is happening. The last thing you want is a five year old running around.

19. A useful idea is to hire a professional cleaning service to completely clean your new home. Although it will involve expense, it will be one less thing you have to worry about.

20. Put in place a mail redirect so you do not lose any mail, these can bet set up for a number of months. Although it is recommended you notify all friends and organisations of your new address.

21. Remember to take your TV ariel’s and satellite dishes with you if they are not part of the sale.

22. Identify concerns, make sure they are rectified before it’s too late.
If you have already exchanged contracts, probably a bit too late to back out. But are you absolutely sure you want to move, if so great. Get on your moving boots and do the relocation shuffle. Is your family behind you? If not, it’s a concern that needs to be addressed asap. There may be concerns at the back of your mind, sort them out now. don’t let them fester, it may save a whole lot of pain in the future.

23. Don’t Panic