Moving house can be a very busy time full of surprises and stress. It’s important to take some time and just take a breath once in a while. Although there is a lot to remember when moving, it is all achievable. A good way to try finish everything before the move date is to write everything down on sticky notes so you can remove a note each time something is completed. Here a few points to write on those sticky notes:
Check the new house is insured
It’s always good the check what insurance is already on the house you have bought so you can purchase the relevant insurance. This can be done up to 30 days prior to moving in so you can schedule it to start on the day you pick up the keys!
Let everyone know your change in address
Email, text, call, write a letter to everyone and anyone you know to inform them of the move. You don’t want to miss out on any letters or visitors going to your old house. This also includes the company you work for, gas companies, your banks, local government so you can still vote, TV companies. Any company you are linked to will need to be informed so they can bill to the correct address and have the correct details on file. Leave no one out, even if at the time they seem unimportant, in a year’s time, they could be.
Re-direct mail
Arrange for your mail to get re-directed to your new address by the Royal Mail. This will protect your personal information from getting stolen, especially if the mail is from the bank. There’s a small charge for this to happen but it’s worth it to be able to stop your important documents being seen. 6 to 12 months is usually enough time to redirect your mail as it gives you enough time to contact everyone that needs to be, and, if you haven’t spoken to that person in a year, then they obviously aren’t worthy of the new address!
Finish the food in your freezer
It’s very unlikely that you can move your freezer without the food inside defrosting and getting lost. Make sure you use up the food from it in the weeks leading up to the move so you don’t waste any of it. If this isn’t possible, ask a friend to store the leftover food until the time you’re able to store it in the new house.
Get enough cardboard boxes
Make sure you have enough boxes to be able to pack all your possessions away safely for the move. You don’t want to over pack your boxes or under pack them as that’s how things get broken. Arrange a moving van to move it all safely to try minimise the risk of breaking. It will also be cheaper to hire a van for a day than taking millions of trips back and forth with your car. It also guarantees that your furniture will fit in the vehicle and not get damaged!
Take the final meter readings
Just before you move out, take the reading of water, gas and electricity meters to notify your suppliers of these so they know when to stop charging you at that house. You don’t want to be paying for someone else’s usage. After notifying your providers of your move, they should be able to arrange the move to stay with them.
This is meant to be an exciting time for you and your family so don’t waste it by stressing and panicking too much. Obviously there will always be worries when moving, but don’t let it take over. There will be time to fix things after you’ve moved in but in the meantime, follow these tips to help your move be as stress-free as possible.