Moving house, your top tips.

[nifaitniafaire]

We're moving in a few weeks and I don't feel prepared...

What helped you and what didn't?

Pay the removal company to do the packing and cleaners to come in after packing done and give the house a deep clean.

Putting away things that you don't need into boxes.

Having a good sort out. You'd be amazed how much junk you accumulate.

Writing down a list of companies to change address with.

Label each box by the room they are going in.

Also mark each box with priority of importance.

(I used coloured stickers) red dots were boxes to be unpacked first: bedding, kettle, kids toys, toiletries etc.

Yellow dots a lesser priority and green dots lowest priority (books, family silver, christmas decorations etc.)

Generally the boxes to be unpacked first are the last to be packed up at the old house.

Firstly, get rid of all the junk in the attic - if it's been up there since you moved in you don't need it and don't need to take it with you to put in the loft in your new house! (Obviously I don't mean sentimental stuff here).
Secondly, I know it's a bit more expensive, but do get the removal company to pack for you - they are experts and moving is stressful enough. I'm sure doing this has stopped rows with my husband. He would just chuck stuff in boxes with no thought, whereas I'm more methodical but much slower.
Finally, make sure you know where the kettle, mugs, tea bags and milk are so you can have a cuppa straight away. A bottle of wine to toast your new home (even if drunk out of mugs) is also a must!

Good luck with your move.

Ok, got at least the cleaners and removal men sorted - can't quite afford to pay for packing, I know it's worth the money but only if you have the money...

I love the idea of the dots! So going to do this!

Bottled bubbly is prepared and I will now also have a box for the coffee machine/kettle. Thanks!

Go through everything and sort into three categories -Charity shop, tip, or keep! Be ruthless - up to a point. Anything someone in family had bought for us or DC I kept - knew I might regret it one day.

Depends on your budget. I have had a great service where I only had to pack an overnight bag and drive to the new house or did the whole thing ourselves.

I would say whichever level of service you choose have a good clear out first.
Go though everything- clothes, crockery, kids old stuff. Many of use keep loads of junk. I was quite ruthless, anythin that I hadn't used or worn in the past two years or wasn't of deep sentimental value was junked to taken to charity.