Moving to a new home is exciting. But it often comes with its fair share of stress and challenges. Whether you’re relocating in the same town or across the country, a smooth and successful move is all about efficient planning and packing. Our comprehensive guide will walk you through essential strategies and expert insider tips to help you master house removals.
So, grab your moving house checklist and let’s get started on making your next move your best move yet.
Moving House Checklist
A successful move starts long before packing your first box. Early and thoughtful planning can be the difference between a chaotic moving day and a seamless transition.
So, how can you have a stress-free house move?
The best way to move house is pre-move planning, and this includes a moving house checklist.
The first house moving tip is to perform a full inventory assessment. Make a detailed inventory of your items on a simple spreadsheet or as detailed as a room-by-room video record. Doing this helps you keep track of your belongings while offering invaluable records for insurance purposes should anything go awry.
The next tip is decluttering. Moving house is the perfect opportunity to purge items you no longer need. Hold a car boot sale, donate to charity or recycle items you no longer need. This lightens your load while reducing moving costs.
Moving House Checklist
Don’t risk losing or leaving behind possessions. To ensure nothing is overlooked, use our helpful moving house checklist:
8 Weeks Before Moving:
- Research and select a home removal service
- Begin decluttering and sorting through belongings
- Start collecting boxes and other packing supplies
6 Weeks Before Moving:
- Confirm your moving date and book your movers
- Notify your employer, school and other relevant parties of your upcoming move so you can have an open schedule
- Begin packing non-essential and seasonal items
4 Weeks Before Moving:
- Notify utility companies of your move (electric, gas, water, internet) and have them transferred
- Arrange for the transfer of your medical records and prescriptions to your new local services
- Continue packing at a gradual pace, putting away items you rarely use or need
2 Weeks Before Moving:
- Confirm parking for your moving truck at both locations (current and new home)
- Disassemble large furniture items and finalise packing most belongings
- Begin deep cleaning rooms as they become emptied
1 Week Before Moving:
- Pack an essentials box that includes items you will need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, TV, kitchen tools, chargers, etc)
- Confirm the moving schedule and details with your moving company
- Do a final sweep of the house to ensure nothing is left behind
Moving Day:
- Work with the movers to ensure items are handled as instructed
- Perform a final walkthrough of your old home
- Ensure you have keys to your new home and basic utilities are operational
First Week After Moving:
- Begin unpacking, starting with essential rooms like the kitchen and bathroom
- Check off received items against your inventory list
- Introduce yourself to new neighbours and explore your new community
House Removal Packing Strategy
Ready to pack like a pro? Below are some essential strategies and tips on packing for a stress-free move:
Materials You Need
Before you start packing, make sure you have the following essential supplies:
✓ Boxes – Get a variety of sizes and make sure they are sturdy.
✓ Packing tape –Invest in quality tape to secure your boxes.
✓ Bubble wrap and packing peanuts – These protect fragile items.
✓ Stretch wrap – Useful for bundling awkward items together.
✓ Labels and markers – For easy identification.
✓ Furniture covers and pads – To protect furniture from scratches and dents.
Home Removal Packing Tips
Pack Room by Room
Tackle one area at a time to keep things organised. Start with rooms and items you use less frequently.
Fragile Items
Use bubble wrap and packing peanuts for dishes, glassware and other breakables. Pack plates vertically, as if loading a dishwasher, to reduce the risk of breakage.
Heavy Items in Small Boxes
It’s easier to handle heavy items when they’re in smaller boxes. Save larger boxes for lighter, bulkier items like bedding and pillows.
Seal and Secure
Tape all boxes well to prevent them from opening during the move. Use double layers of tape for heavier or more valuable items.
Labelling Techniques
On each box, write the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents. Consider a numbering system where each number corresponds to a different room or type of content.
Assign a colour to each room and use coloured stickers or markers for corresponding boxes. This makes it easy for movers to know where each box goes in your new home.
Create an Essentials Box
Prepare for the first 24 hours with an essentials box that includes everything you’ll need for the first day and night in your new home. This should include:
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Chargers for electronic devices
- Change of clothes
- Basic tools (screwdrivers, hammer)
- Snacks and basic cooking utensils
- Toilet paper and towels
Why You Should Book a Professional Home Removal Service
Choosing the right house removal company is one of the most important steps in ensuring a smooth transition to your new home.
Firstly, you should research professional home movers rather than settling for the first moving company you come across. Start by reading customer reviews, seeking recommendations from friends and family and verifying each company’s credentials to ensure they are licensed and insured.
So, what are the benefits of hiring a professional removal company?
- Expertise and efficiency – Professional movers are skilled in loading, transporting and unloading belongings. They have the experience to handle logistics and foresee problems that might not be apparent to someone without moving experience.
- Safety – Moving house involves heavy lifting and carrying bulky items, which can lead to personal injury or damage to your items if not done properly. Professional movers can handle heavy and awkward items safely, reducing the risk of injury to you or damage to your belongings.
- Reliability – Unlike awkwardly asking friends or family to help with a move, professional service provides reliability and accountability. When you book a professional service, you have a set date and time and you can expect them to show up and deliver the services as agreed.
- Stress reduction – Moving home is ranked as one of life’s most stressful events. Hiring professionals can alleviate much of this stress by handling the details of the move, allowing you to focus on other important tasks like setting up utilities, changing your address and settling into your new home or job.
- Insurance and liability – When you move your belongings, you are responsible for any damage that occurs. Professional moving companies are fully insured to protect your items during the move. This means if anything is damaged, lost or broken, you are covered.
- Speed – Hiring a removal service means you can move your items much quicker than you could on your own, reducing the amount of time you need to take off work or away from other responsibilities.
- Equipment and materials – Professional movers come equipped with the right tools and materials to make the move smoother. This includes dollies, ramps, customised trucks and professional packing materials that you might not have access to otherwise.
- Cost-effective – While it may seem counterintuitive, hiring professional movers can actually save you money. When you factor in the time saved, the risk of damage to your belongings and the cost of gathering materials and renting equipment, the overall cost of hiring professionals is comparable.
- Storage options –Many professional moving companies offer storage solutions, which can be incredibly useful if there are gaps between moving out and moving into your new place, simplifying logistics and keeping your items secure.
- Peace of mind – Knowing that your belongings are in the hands of professionals can provide significant peace of mind during what is typically a very chaotic time.
Enjoy a Smoother House Move with Professional Help
As you plan your next move, consider hiring a professional house removal service. Whether it’s for efficiency, safety or peace of mind, using a professional moving company can transform a typically stressful experience into a seamless and enjoyable one.
Ready to make your move as smooth as possible? Contact South Park Removals for a free quote today and learn how we can help you every step of the way.
