Advance prep for moving ideas please!

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We’ve sold our house but won’t be moving until after christmas. I’m twitching to start doing something in preparation.

Any top tips on getting organised well in advance? Last time we moved I was very heavily pregnant so didn’t really get involved!

start collecting cardboard boxes. you can get them for free inside of sainsburys

Declutter as much as you can now.

Start stockpiling boxes.

Start packing straight away - eg you don’t need summer clothes, buckets and spades etc now the weather’s turning so may as well pack them.

Label the boxes (on the side, not the top) with what’s in them and which room of the new house they should go to.

Empty the loft and garage if you have them.

We moved everything in our new house to the equivalent of where we wanted it in the new house. Eg new bedroom2 had loads of storage so we moved linens etc to our existing bed2. That meant the removers labelled up everything for its new destination and unloaded. Not the best use of time if you have loads of time though.

Keep the ideas coming, I'm in a similar position. Downsizing so I have a lot of decluttering to do and working out what will fit in the new place/what needs to go.

I just moved in June and it was incredibly rushed. I think make a list of ALL the tasks of moving, then just assign them to be done now or later.

A few things you can do now:

1. Go fill in your post office redirection forms. You set the date range for redirection . You’ll need proof of ID and address.
2. Write to any institutions (DC schools, work, clubs, doctors) letting them know you’re moving on X date.
3. Schedule movers, most do an inspection before providing a quote
4. Start decluttering and packing anything you won’t need within the next few months. I pre-packed spare linens, most of our decorative accessories, summer clothes, sporting bits for summer sports, power tools, etc.
5. Make a list of any tasks to be done at the new house and get quotes. Buy supplies. Book tradespeople is possible. Our house was move in ready but we needed a painter, window cleaners, carpet cleaning and a regular gardener.
6. Check which appliances the seller is leaving. Decide on any replacement appliances to order (ie pore over reviews now not later)
7. As you’re pregnant, you can pre-pack everything for the baby, plan the nursery etc

Aim to lose your OH's treasures pile of crap In the move! We have moved one box of DH comics 3 times and he never looks at them.

Definitely declutter, much more than you think you need to and stick anything sellable on ebay, using the money to either treat yourself to something in your new home or to go towards removal costs.

Clear any area that can be cleared and pack one box a day - garage, loft, spare room, kitchen gadgets, dvds etc

Start writing a list of everyone you need to contact for change of address - keep a notepad by the front door and each time you get post from the bank / water company / charity that you donate to etc then add them to the list. I found I remembered the main ones but those that only sent me stuff once a year got forgotten.

Collect boxes, save bubble wrap/packaging materials

Look up details of kennels / ask a friend to dog-sit etc if needed

Start deep cleaning now (kitchen cooker head etc) to make it easier when the time comes.

If you can, pay for the movers to pack for you. It’s great not to have to live with disruption before the move.

We’re moving next week and all I need to do the day before is pack our underwear/jewellery/documents in a case to store at a friend’s house and the packers are due to arrive at 9am Monday morning to do everything else.

I also separate out an overnight bag of essentials to get us through the first couple of days. Everything else can be unpacked from boxes over the next few weeks. Good luck with your move!

Have a box that is “Pack last, unpack first”

Eg kettle, mugs, instant coffee, toilet paper, soap. The last things you might need in the old house and the first in the new house.

Find the boxes you haven't unpacked since last time you moved, and identify the stuff you did unpack but shoved to the back of a cupboard and haven't looked at since. With the exception of sentimental bits you can probably bin most of that stuff, and it will make for a very satisfying visit to the tip.

Yeah, I've found stuff in the garage that I haven't used since we moved in 12 years ago!

I keep a note pad with details of who we pay what to. When we move I can contact people from the book and cross them off rather than mess around looking for account numbers and phone numbers

If you have pets then arrange for them to go into kennels. Our cat was so stressed by the move that she went AWOL on moving day. Luckily our old NDN took her in until the next day when we could pop across town to pick her up.