House Moving Tips

5 House Moving Tips For A Stress-Free Relocation

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You either love it or loathe it! Truth is, if moving house is on the horizon, you’re going to have to get cracking on a plan to ensure it’s as stress-free as possible. Relocating with the help of a professional removalist team is going to make the world of difference. But it all starts with you. These house-moving tips will become your checklist for the day.

Why is moving house so stressful?

Moving can conjure up all sorts of emotions. It’s overwhelming because often you don’t know where to start and then there’s the complete unknown to deal with. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Why does moving give some people stress and anxiety?

Stress and anxiety are feelings commonly thrown around by those who are either preparing for, or in the midst of relocating. What was once our comfort zone, a sense of familiarity, and our daily routine is now thrown up in the air and can land in all sorts of unusual places when we arrive at our new home.

What is the most stressful thing about moving house?

Stress impacts everyone differently. However, you’ll find that tackling a significant life event such as this without a plan might be your trigger.

How to stay stress-free when you move

These 5 moving tips will go a long way to helping you stay stress-free when moving house.

  1. Get rid of clutter – When packing, do a clean-out along the way. Sort your items into must-haves and a donate/resell pile. You could end up making some money along the way, too. Remember, the less you pack, the less it can cost in-house removal fees – and the less you have to unpack at the other end. Win-win!
  1. Pack an essentials box – Keep your valuables with you at all times along with handy essential items that might be needed over the first few days. This could include anything from cleaning products to a few plates and glasses, plus coffee, snacks and even a pair of scissors to help open boxes.
  1. Label boxes – It might sound like an unnecessary tip, however, clearly labeled boxes not only assist the home removalists, but if you are left with unopened boxes in storage, you’ll at least know where to find your Christmas plates, summer dresses, or your child’s favorite books that are safely packed away.
  1. Use strong boxes – Investing in quality, sturdy boxes is a must. Ask your removalist to assist with the supply of boxes and packing materials and don’t forget packing tape to hold everything securely. It’s common to overload boxes but avoid the urge.
  1. Wrap breakables – Use plastic bags, bubble wrap and old towels/blankets to protect your precious items before boxing. Consider adding a FRAGILE label to any breakables to alert those moving your items on the day.

How do I relocate smoothly?

Having a plan for the day of the move will help relieve stress. St Albans Removals are house removal specialists, assisting you well before moving day and well into the unpacking phase.  And if packing is not your thing, ask the team about their moving packing service. It’s one less thing you need to worry about.

Best Removal Companies Will Do For Your Move

Best Removal Companies Will Do For Your Move

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A removals company is a business that is dedicated to helping people move house. Typically they will provide you with a crew of 2 or more professionally trained removals experts to load all your furniture and belongings into their vehicle, drive everything Best Removal Companies Will Do For Your Move

What Do Removal Companies Do?

safely to your new home and unload it at the other end. Many will also offer you packing services too if you’d prefer not to do this yourself.

Many of the best removals companies offer lots more than just simply moving your belongings from A-B though, so here’s everything the best removal companies will do to help with your move.

Will a removal company do a pre-move survey?

To get an accurate quote and ensure your move runs smoothly your removal company will arrange a pre-move survey. A removals company survey involves a trained move consultant (aka a surveyor) visiting you at home to view the property and goods to be moved and to talk to you about your requirements. Sometimes companies also offer move consultations by phone or video.

This survey should take around an hour (depending on your property size), be completely free of charge and the move consultant should be thorough. By thorough, we mean they should see every room in the property, checking in cupboards, looking in the loft and looking around the garden and in any sheds/outbuildings you have. The more comprehensive the survey is, the more accurate your quotation will be and the more smoothly your move will typically run.

Will a removal company check access for a removals lorry at both properties

This might not seem like a big deal, but knowing what access is like at both of your properties on move day makes a big difference when it comes to how smoothly your move will run. As part of their comprehensive survey, access is something the move consultant/surveyor should discuss with you when they come to visit.

They will make their own initial assessment based on the parking availability or restrictions outside your house and then ask you more details about the property you’re moving to. Sometimes it’s very straightforward – you might have a driveway that the removal truck can park directly onto, or you might be able to ask neighbours to move their car temporarily if you all share a parking area – and other times it’s slightly more complicated. For instance, you might have double yellow lines outside your property, they might need to suspend parking bays, there might be no parking at all and the removal company will need to work out where the nearest place is that they can safely park, you might live down a very narrow lane that a removal vehicle won’t fit down, in which case they will require a smaller van to shuttle your goods up to the main truck, or your new property might be on the top floor of a block of flats, so extra manpower or lifts are required.

Not only does going into detail about the access at your properties help the removal company plan and prepare their resources properly, but it saves you from incurring any extra charges on the day of or after the move.

1. Ask you about your move schedule

This is a really important part to get right for a removal company – without knowing the key information, the move can’t take place at all! In order to start planning and preparing properly, a good removal company will ask you everything about the expected schedule of your move – from exchange and completion dates (if you’re buying/selling) right through to the time you need to vacate the property you’re leaving. The more detail they have, the easier it is to start organising your move and make sure they can work to the schedule you need them to.  It also lets them help you to understand availibility and the different cost implications of moving at different times of the month/year. Don’t worry if you don’t know everything yet, it still helps as long as they know what you know!

2. Try to understand your individual move

The more a removal company knows about the circumstances surrounding your move, the more they will be able to tailor the move plan to suit your individual needs. For example, if you’re decluttering then you might end up with less stuff on move day than is seen at the survey, which not only alters the time it takes to carry out the move, but the price you are quoted. If you’re downsizing they might need to be prepared to help you get more furniture into a smaller home, or perhaps you’re moving in with family while your new house is built, in which case you might need to put some items into storage in addition to being moved. You might have young children, and need certain items unloaded as a priority at your new property or need an extra pair of hands getting everything packed up. Whatever it is is that’s concerning you or is a top priority on move day, if your removal company know about it they can do everything possible to accommodate your needs.

Guide to Moving House or Office

Guide to Moving House or Office

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Removal services can vary from local, regional, interstate or inter-country, and international. Some movers can offer specific services only for furniture, plant, rubbish, or home appliance removals while some include them in their main services. There may also be removal types based on seasonality. Other removal services may include removal for a house sale, office relocation, commercial storage, packing and unpacking, and moving boxes and supplies.

Before you make a final decision and schedule your move, here are some quick tips you can follow:

Have a Checklist of All Items to Include

Sorting items from valuables to those for disposal can help lessen your stress before the day of the move. Make an inventory of items from clothes, fragile items, furniture, appliances, plants, tools, and rubbish.

Have Your Correct and Updated Address Ready

Providing your correct and updated address is essential in terms of considering moving cost, travel distance and duration, and having the right destination for all your belongings.

Learn More About Removalist Costs or Hourly Rates

Some moving companies may have a fixed rate for certain location points while some may apply hourly rates, especially if the move happens locally and will not take so much time. Whatever the case is, it is important to know which cost applies and be ready for it.

Check Removal Coverage Areas and Package Inclusions

If you are moving within the same suburb, you need not struggle to find a local removalist as most of them can be found in Google My Business or other listings. Some may also have social media pages you can contact quickly. However, when moving interstate or regionally, you may have to look for an experienced mover who can travel anywhere within Queensland or Australia.

Learn What Customers Say About Them

Social proof can be a make or break other than pricing. Of course, you want to entrust all your home or office belongings to a moving company that knows how to handle them properly, listens to and understands its customers, and has years of experience.

Check Their Terms and Conditions

Some customers end up frustrated upon learning that a moving company will not cover a particular item in the move or will not be liable for any damaged items. Before you have that long face, be sure to read the removal company‘s terms and conditions and they can be agreed on based on your needs.

Pack Your Things and Book Your Move in Advance 

Everything done early saves you from all anxiety when you need to move to a new office or house. It is a lot easier for removalists to collect your belongings when you have them prepared in advance. In any event that you cannot attend to packing all your stuff, then you can also count on other movers to do the job for you. This can be a get-and-go process.  Booking your move a month before can also save you moving costs and avoid incurring other fees.

The Bottom Line

Determining who to hire for a house or office removal may entail some considerations in terms of price, service inclusions, customer experience level, and others. If you want to learn more about our removal services or pricing you can visit www.stalbans-removals.co.uk or call 07575 505921

 

5 Things To Do When Moving House

5 Things To Do When Moving House

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5 Things To Do When Moving House

There’s a lot to remember when it comes to moving moving into your new home – from all the big physical stuff right down to the small bits of paperwork – so it’s no wonder that there are some things that get left behind. 5 Things To Do When Moving House

When we teamed up with Rightmove to run a competition based on your removal horror stories, we were reminded just how many things people forget when they move.

1. Label boxes

This might sound like an obvious one but when you’re rushing, little things like labelling a box can easily be forgotten. And although it seems like a small mistake to make, the impact it can have on your move at the other end can be quite a big one, as one response to our competition proved:

“This is silly but I never label my boxes! So the first day always involves me scattering all my belongings everywhere and still never finding what I’m looking for!”

2. Use the correct packing materials…

Not using the right packing materials can lead to several issues, the biggest one being the risk of damage. Boxes that aren’t strong enough for their contents can easily collapse under their weight, or bin bags of clothes can tear open leaving your items at best scattered all over the floor and at worst broken or damaged.

Boxes or bags that don’t seal properly can also leave your items vulnerable to the elements if you’re moving in bad weather. Another common issue is using boxes that previously contained food stuff that leave a nasty odour on your belongings if they have picked one up from their original contents!

3. Seriously consider using a removal company

Most of us have moved ourselves at some point in our lives, but its easy to forget how time consuming, physically exhausting and emotionally stressful it can be, especially as our family, property size and years of accumulated belongings grow.

Using a removal company may cost less than you think and could save you time, reduce the risk of damage, take away some of the stress and make coping with inevitable late changes or move day challenges much easier.

4. Not to pack things you’ll need and accidentally packing things you shouldn’t have

Once you eventually get into the swing of packing, it can be hard to stop – and while that’s good, it’s also bad if you end up getting carried away and packing things you might need on the day of the move. This problem compounds if you’ have ‘helpers’ packing with you who don’t know what you want to take with you.

A couple of the answers given in our Rightmove competition highlight just how easily it can be done; at best, when moving a short distance, this is a disruption you can do without at the end of a long day:5 Things To Do When Moving House

5. Make an essentials box

Similar to number 3, this is something that a lot of people often overlook, believing that once they reach their new house it will be easy to access everything they need at once.

Depending on the time of day you move, you might not have the time to start unpacking properly when you get to your new house, and the last thing you need is to be rooting through all of your boxes in search of your essentials before bed.

Don’t believe us? These are just a couple of the answers we received in our recent Rightmove competition from people whose moving day was made all the more stressful by not having access to their essentials:

“Our last move was a bit of a rushed affair and we had to do a lot of things last minute. My other half did a run to the charity shop to hand in a load of stuff to save us from moving things we didn’t need while I started loading up. A lot of trips back and forth later and we finally got everything in.

After sighing and sitting down for five minutes, I said: ‘let’s get the kettle on’. I unpacked the kettle and went in search of the mugs. I opened the box I thought they were in, only to find a load of my son’s old plastic toys – every mug, cup and glass had gone to the charity shop and we were left with the stuff we were trying to get rid of!

Weended up opening the champagne we were saving for a special occasion and taking turns to drink from the bottle. We probably needed that more than the tea anyway!”

Our tip: The essentials box didn’t earn its name for nothing – it really is an important part of your move. Of all the things people forget when moving house, this is probably the most annoying and will cause you inconvenience on the day.

The best way to start deciding what should be in yours is to:

  • Think about all of the items you use daily: Prioritise items you’ll need straight away at your new house, items that’ll speed up your unpacking process or those that you can grab in case of an emergency.
  • Consider the time of year you’re moving: Tailor your essentials box to include items that match the season. In the summer pack garden toys for the children to play with or an icebox with cold drinks instead of tea and coffee and in the middle of winter think of mugs for hot chocolate and soup, a de-icer for the car and some grit for any paths and driveways that might need it.

Make a list of what you need or download our essentials box packing list and start packing your essentials box in time, preferably just before everything else. This gives you the chance to check your list and add things that might forget.

Label it clearly with ‘do not pack’ then first thing on moving day put it in the car so that it’s out of the way and completely separate from the rest of your boxes to avoid any mix-ups when loading the truck. If you don’t want to take it in the car with you ask your removals crew to load it last so it can be the first box off at the new house.

Packing Your Clothes

The Complete Guide to Packing Your Clothes for a Move

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Moving can be overwhelming from packing, the actual move, up to unpacking. To make this process go as smoothly as possible, you must know how to pack the items you will bring with you.

When we talk about packing, clothes are usually the first on the list. And although this may sound easy, some people cannot just let their clothes be shoved in boxes with neglect.

Our clothes can have multiple purposes too. Some can just be tossed in laundry bags such as lounge shorts or boxers, while some need to be folded neatly in a suitcase such as those we use in formal events or luxury clothes.

Today, we will talk about several ways to speed up packing your clothes and ways to properly protect them from any damage before and after the move.

Need-to-Know Packing Tips for Your Clothing

Before packing your clothes, it’s important to check first which clothes go together and which need extra care. For example, casual shirts, night clothes, and rugged clothes can go in the same boxes or bags. Suits, gowns, or costumes may need a specific containment. Luxury clothing can also go in their old boxes, bags, or a suitcase.

Keep in mind that you also need to maximize all available moving boxes or plastic bags. You can learn from Marie Kondo’s folding style or simply roll your clothes to allow more room for other clothes you intend to bring. Don’t forget to separate the ones you will no longer be bringing or those up for a garage sale.

Have Available Laundry or Plastic Bags or Hanging Packs

Once you finish sorting and folding your clothes, the next thing you need is containment. Clothes that didn’t get to the laundry can be tossed in laundry bags to remind you that once the move is complete, you will need to wash them. Gowns, dresses, suits, or other formal wear may need to be in hanging packs and go together in a clothes hanger rack. Undergarments can be placed in string bags to easily identify them.

Start With Heavy Garments Which Can Help You Pack Faster

Heavy garments like coats, suits, gowns, jackets, and costumes are something you don’t wear frequently. Thus, this helps you identify them easily and speed up the packing of clothes. Since these clothes are those you don’t also wear often, this means they are fewer than your regular clothes. Some of them may not even require folding and just needs to be zipped in hanging plastic packs.

Use Other Bags or Plastic Materials Like Zip Lock Bags

Other bags you have at home can also be useful during the move. A duffel bag can serve as extra storage for singlets, boxers, socks, and small towels. Large to medium zip lock bags can be useful for wet or laundry items. Vacuum bags can be used for bulky jackets or winter coats. Lastly, a drawstring trash bag can be used for lounge or casual clothes.

Final Notes

Packing your clothes properly can add to a stress-free move. If you have plenty of clothes in your closet, there are removal companies that also offer packing and unpacking services. ST Albans Removals not only provides hassle-free moves within ST Albans, but we can also help in packing, providing safe storage may it be for temporary or long-term use, and most all moving boxes and other packing supplies you need to keep safe all your items.