Preparing for house move

[Mudddypaws]

We are hopefully going to be moving soon and relocating two hours away. Estate agents have said that hopefully we will complete in about 6 weeks. Is there anything I should be doing now to prepare for the move? Myself and dp will only have the 1 day moving day off and we have a toddler and dog. Feeling a bit overwhelmed with where to start. We will get a removals company and we are going to get a storage unit near the new house so we can empty the garage and she'd before we go. Any tips of anything else we can do to make the process easier would be really appreciated.

Are the removals packing you aswell? If not, it is 100% worth it!!

Write a list of things to pack for you all for the first couple of nights;
Pyjamas
Clothes
Underwear
Toiletries

Toddler; some of their fave toys, snacks, anything to occupy.

Dog; food, bowls, toys, blanket

I would take bedding and towels with you also and Kettle, couple of cups, coffee etc.

Seems like a lot but having these with you and at hand will be easier for you once you arrive there.

Following as I am moving soon too. Sooner than you though, oops!

Thank you, that's really useful. We haven't contacted removals companies yet so not sure if we should pack or let them. We are only moving from a small two bed cottage so don't have too much stuff. Large appliances and sofas are not coming with us. I am going to write your list down too.

You really need to get one booked now.

We didn't think we had much stuff ( 2 bed also )

Neither did the removal company who decided they could use a smaller van for our second hop

I was glad I had started packing / decluttering months in advance

I am going to make a start on the loft now and and see what I can take to the tip / recycling.

Get onto removals tomorrow, I always recommend them packing you, it takes a lot of stress out of it.
Nothing stopping you packing up things you won't be using over the weeks.
Go into every room and write a list of anything you can get rid of/don't need and a assign one room a day to declutter.

If it is too expensive to get them to pack everything get them to pack the kitchen only.
It's reasonably easy to stuff clothes, bedding etc into boxes/suitcases, but is a real pain to pack up the kitchen.
We have found that they are really efficient at doing this.

Following

For now, if you're taking any light fittings with you, swap them over (or book in your electrician!) now. Lead up to Xmas is always busy for trade.

Recommend you make up a first night/day box that you take with you, in case there's trouble on the day with timings and you don't receive all your packed belongings. E.g. If the place you're buying doesn't hand over the keys in time and your delivery people don't work past 5 you could be without all your stuff. Box should contain:

Loo roll
Tissues
Strong scissors
Painkillers
Plasters
Mugs
Teabags/instant coffee
Kettle
Changes of clothes
Toothbrush + paste
Hairbrushes
Money
Important documents (passports, birth certificates etc)

If possible have your child and dog stay elsewhere for a couple days. Dogs get stressed (and in the way) with all the packing. And if you have your toddler in safe hands you can concentrate on the move and maybe have time to set their room up so they feel comfortable in the new home.

• Declutter now
• Professional packers are worth every. Single. Penny.
• redirect mail for 12 months not 6.
• make a cleaning kit box for new house go round and do room before unpackers unpack.

Start de-cluttering now. It's amazing how much stuff you didn't realise you have. Be brutal with it - you'll be thankful when it comes time to pack and unpack!

Write a list of all the companies you need to change address with and book a Royal Mail redirection for the first couple months once you have a completion date.

Get quotes for removals, then you can decide if you can afford them to pack you.

Thanks all, brilliant advice.

Is the mail redirection for the ones you might not think to change your address with? I’ve never done it before.

A very good idea not to forget the loft. Neighbours on our old street did. Their removers had to get an entire full-size van extra on the day when they found what was up there.