Moving home is one of the most stressful activities you will go through. There is so much preparation to do. And yet on the day, there is always more left than you would imagine. With so much on your mind, it’s easy to forget to do some essential things.
To help you out here are some of the most forgotten or missed house moving checklist items.
Redirect your post
Remembering every company or relative who sends you post is a monumental task. So the chances that you’re going to get all the addresses changed before your get some post is unlikely.
You can set up a mail redirect with the Post Office pretty quickly. The shortest period is three months, which costs £33.99 per person. This gives you the chance to identify all the places and people you need to inform of your new address.
Ask the previous owner all the important questions
Before you move in, there are a few questions that you will probably need to know the answers to. These are things that may not have come up during the house buying process. It can be worth making a note of these so that you can easily reference the answers as needed.
When is bin day?
You’ll end up with a lot of rubbish after moving, so you don’t want to miss your first bin day.
Which utility companies supply the house?
You might not stick with them, but this is a good starting point for getting your utilities sorted.
Where is the thermostat, and how does it work?
Nothing takes the shine off your new home faster than being freezing cold or stuck in a sauna.
Where are the gas, electricity, and water meters?
You’ll want to take a reading as soon as you move in to give to your utility company.
Register to vote
When you move home, your voter registration doesn’t move with you. You will need to register yourself to stay on the electoral rolls. Every eligible member of your household needs to register themselves, to avoid being disenfranchised as a result of moving.
Compare removal costs
Just because you’re moving house, it doesn’t mean that you need to use a moving company. Depending on how much stuff you have, it might be better to hire a van and sweet-talk some friends.
If you have a lot of heavy furniture, then a removal company is probably the way to go. They have the experience and tools to move big pieces of furniture safely. Do get a couple of quotes because prices will vary. As long as the company is a member of the British Association of Removers, you should be safe to go with them.
Ensure a stress-free moving day
Getting organised as you pack makes moving a lot easier and less stressful. Here are a few top tips;
- Label the boxes on both the tops and sides. This way can read the labels even when they’re stacked up.
- Any screw and bolt should go into sandwich bags and then be taped to the item they belong in.
- Put furniture in the house first, to avoid moving boxes repeatedly.
- Check the lightbulbs are working when you first arrive. You don’t want to find out they’re gone after dark when the shops are shut.
Old resident’s post
It’s possible that when you arrive in your new home, you’ll find a pile of someone else’s mail. You can either arrange to hand it over to the previous owner; they may be able to pop by to pick it up.
Otherwise, you should write ‘return to sender, not known at this address’. This will alert the sender to stop sending mail to your address.
Search for the best energy deals
There’s no need to stick with the previous owner’s utility companies. You’ll have to speak to the companies to set up your account, so why not make sure they’re going to be your best option? Look around for the best deal first. Then you won’t have to try and change it in a few months when you realise you could be on a much cheaper rate.
Have cleaning supplies at the top of your boxes
When you move into the house will be dirty. Even new homes will have plaster and wood chips around. It’s a good idea to have a quick clean when you arrive.
You may want to have a box of handy things. This can have your cleaning supplies, but also a kettle, mugs, tea bags, snacks etc. This box should contain all of the items you will want while you’re unpacking.
Hopefully, our handy house moving checklist will help your move run smoothly.
