Date Published 05 February 2024
Ten Tips on How to Move House - Stress Free
So you started the search, found your dream home, completed the deal, sorted your mortgage and now your new house is ready to be moved into!
Moving to a new home is an exciting time; it's a fresh start, the beginning of your next chapter and the start of your next adventure.
However, moving house can also be a lot of work, and can cause a lot of worry and stress but it doesn't have to!
Here we've put together our top ten tips on how to move house - stress free, so check them out and let the move commence!
1. Decide how you're going to move and make a plan - If your budget allows, consider hiring professional movers who can handle the heavy lifting and transportation. Alternatively, enlist the help of friends and family. Having assistance can alleviate physical and mental stress during the moving process. However you plan to move, be sure to make any necessary arrangements at least a few weeks in advance. Will you need to rent a van, or any moving equipment? How many people will you need to help you? Will you need to take a day off from work? Will you need someone to help take care of your pets or children? The earlier you make these arrangements, the less stressful it will be.
2. Declutter before you move - Prior to moving house is the best time to purge the items in your home that you no longer want or need. Consider also how much space you'll have in your new place. Will you need to downsize your belongings? Moving into a new home is a chance to start fresh and begin a new chapter so have a look at which items are not currently serving you. Don't bring them with you into your new home. Go through your things categorically and get rid of the items that no longer fit your lifestyle or serve a purpose. Donate clothes, books, and other gently used items to a local charity. You might also choose to sell some of your unused belongings and use the proceeds to help fund your move. The more you can get rid of before your move, the less you will have to pack and unpack - win win!
3. Sort final bill payments - Notify your landlord and/or utility service providers of your official move date. Take photos of metre readings, and set up new utility accounts for your new address if necessary. Schedule any new service that will need to be set up at your new address.
4. Start packing early - Packing up all your possessions is a big job, but it's made easier if you don't have to do it all at once. The earlier you start packing, the less stressful it will be. You might choose to pack up your home little by little, doing one room at a time. Or, start with the items you use most infrequently and progressively pack away the things used daily as you get closer to your move date. Starting the packing process early also gives you the opportunity to pack things carefully in bubble wrap or paper, ensuring nothing gets broken or damaged during the move.
5. Label your boxes. One of the things that can make moving stressful is struggling to find what you're looking for once you arrive at your new home! A little organisation during packing can make the unpacking process virtually stress-free. Number your boxes and keep a manifest of what's packed in each box, making it easier to locate what you're looking for. You can also label the boxes by room and/or priority or give your movers/family a labelled floor plan of your new home so they know which box goes where.
6. Order any furniture you'll need ahead of time. If you know you'll need new furniture for your new place, order it ahead of time and try to schedule delivery strategically. Furniture can sometimes take a long time to be delivered, especially if it's a little more custom, so dealing with this ahead of time can help reduce any stressful hold-ups and make sure you're not sitting on the living room floor for too long.
7. Post redirection. If you need to redirect your mail or notify anyone else about your new address, take some time to do that prior to your move date.
8. Moving day essentials. On moving day, keep a separate box or binder of things you'll need to access right away when you arrive at your new home.These might include any paperwork you'll need upon arrival, your wallet, medications, snacks, coffee, tea and water. Things such as device chargers are invaluable when you'll likely be communicating with lots of different people and must-have toiletries like toothpaste, face wash, etc. can make you feel a lot better if you need a quick refresh and rest. If you have children or pets, make sure their essential items are easily accessible as well.
9. Take care of yourself - Moving is a physically demanding endeavour. It can be tempting to try to power through and get the job done as fast as possible, but listen to your body. It's important to pace yourself, not only for your own physical health and safety, but also to avoid feelings of stress and overwhelm. Take breaks, stay hydrated and don't forget to stop to eat something during these busy days. Get enough rest to maintain your energy levels and reduce stress, take deep breaths and try to keep a positive mindset. The hectic feeling that comes with moving is temporary, you'll be settled in and enjoying your new home in no time!
10. Plan an easy meal for your first night in your new home. After a busy, tiring day of travelling and unpacking, the last thing you need to worry about is what's for dinner. Before moving day, make a plan for where you can get a comforting, nourishing takeaway meal or pre-prepare something quick and easy for the whole family. Having this detail squared away will help to reduce unnecessary stress on moving day, and will give you something nice to look forward to after a long day of hard work!
Still looking for the perfect new place to call home? The experienced team here at Marshall Property can provide you with expert help and guidance that's tailored to your needs.
From helping to arrange your mortgage, find a list of properties for you to view, and dealing with a property you might be selling, we have a wealth of experience to make the process as smooth as possible.
Find our current properties for sale here, or call into a branch to discuss your needs further.
Happy house hunting!
