Moving tomorrow! Last minute tips please

[SometimesSquircles]

Hi all,

We're moving tomorrow!!!! Any advice gratefully received. I feel a bit overwhelmed.

Also, should you tip removal staff?

Thanks in advance.

I tipped the removal guys and gave them a bag containing snacks for the journey, 3hr drive to where we were moving to.

Write on boxes what’s inside, really helps with unpacking especially in the kitchen.

Take a box with in the car, kettle tea coffee, bread butter, toaster. Milk. Bag with bedding, make up beds first. Take hoover in car with you so you can Hoover each room as it’s cleared and hoover should you need too at the new address. I cleaned all the bathrooms, so on moving day we all just used one early, so I could clean when removal men were loading.

Good luck, and very best wishes for your move.

How far are you moving? Do the removals do everything or are you packing/unpacking? I would pack similar to a weekend away bag for each person, toiletries, clothes, toothbrush then you aren't under pressure to find it later. If the removals are doing most of it then stop and grab fresh milk, bread, etc on the way. You'll be fine!

Have an essentials box - something v different to the other boxes like a suitcase or a laundry basket so it stands out. Put things like kettle and coffee/ teabags, phone chargers, bin bags, all purpose cleaner and cleaning rags, entertainment for kids (if you have any) Basically the things you'll need right away so you aren't sorting through boxes to find stuff. It should be the last thing you throw in the car as you leave and first you unpack.

Make sure you have snacks for yourself and anyone helping. You probably won’t want to stop for a proper meal so some snacks/drinks will help keep you going through the day.

Hope it all goes smoothly and you quickly feel at home in the new place OP.

Yes I tipped, they worked really hard and I am quite annoying

I number all my boxes and tick them all off into the new house. This is soothing for me. It means I can get the things I want by referring back to the list of what is in which number.

I also get all boxes put into one room and relocate them myself gradually, it stops me running in circles looking for boxes.

I move the absolute essentials myself.

I buy cans of drink for the removal people and leave on the side for them to help themselves.

I take a photo of each room/cupboard emptied in the old house so I know I got everything.

Good luck!!

Take pictures of the gas, electric,water,other meters.
Redirect mail.
Based on MN threads, delete your address from Online retailer accounts.
Leave all keys and manuals for your buyers.

Baby wipes - they were a godsend when it came to the final clean after my furniture had all been taken out, particularly skirting boards.

Put everything essential into the car to take yourself.
Pack a recognisable bag/suitcase with clothes/toiletries for a couple of days so you're not hunting for still packed stuff

Get 2 files of some sort to hold all the manuals, instructions , alarm code etc - one for all the stuff you are leaving, and one for the stuff you are taking.

Maybe a new home card and wine for your buyers.

I think we tipped £10 per person per move (into and out of storage) so would budget £20 each for a single move - hand it to the foreman to share out, but do it in sight of the men, so they know it's coming. Plus a supply of drinks and snacks.

If you are dropping off keys to the agent, take a break in a local cafe then, so you aren't hungry when unpacking.

Reconfirm with the agent how to collect the new keys.

Bring wipes, bleach, spare lightbulbs and loo roll.

Mentally prepare yourself for the new house feeling, looking and smelling less than perfect now that it is empty. It may take a few days until it feels like your home.

Good luck!

Stick corresponding post it notes to doors of rooms relating to boxes and then you don't have to tell them where every box goes.

I bought breakfast and lunch for the last removal guys I used.

@KimchiWithMe

Stick corresponding post it notes to doors of rooms relating to boxes and then you don't have to tell them where every box goes.

I bought breakfast and lunch for the last removal guys I used.

I did this and wrote on the boxes and they still asked me for every box

Even though (almost) all the boxes were going in one room

I think they were messing with my mind

Have a bottle of water with you in your bag to stop you from getting dehydrated without realising. Have one box with sheets, toilet paper, kettle, tea bags etc. Have a look now at what you can order for takeaway on the day of the move.

Toilet paper. I can’t emphasise it enough. Followed by soap and a towel for drying your hands.

Take photos of the meters in old house before you leave & new house when you arrive. Water meter too if you have one.

Find stopcock in new house ASAP.

Take loo roll and spare light bulbs in the car. Test the lights before it gets dark if possible

We completed today - I advise rubber gloves, cloths and strong detergent - despite our vendor making promises of a very hygienic home - it was anything but. And blankets and warm clothes - can't get the bloody heating up past 18 C. I'm sure I'm going to forgive this house and fall in love with it but tonight it feels bloody miserable

You are all amazing! Thank you so much to everyone who responded. I've taken all your advice and got the suitcases out, put in plenty of loo rolls, hand soap, gloves etc. Everything you've suggested has been duly ticked off and put in. Am so so tired now! Last slog tomorrow to hoover under all the furniture when it's moved

@Cluckingtell I really hope you're toasty warm by now. Congratulations on your new home and I really hope you're settled in and loving it soon!

Thanks again all. Wish us luck!

Good luck!!!

@SometimesSquircles good luck for tomorrow - I think it takes a while for it to feel like home - the dog is utterly miserable - he is a creature of habit and new environments symbolise a threat - poor beast.

Order online shopping delivery for as soon after you move in as possible.

@Cluckingtell Really hope the dog settles soon. Must be so strange for them. I'm wondering what my toddler will make of the whole affair!

I'm Moving today as well so came on to search for tips!

Good luck with your move. I've barely slept all week worrying about it.

I've hired a cleaner for the day to clean us out of the old house and to have a whip round the new one when we get the keys!

Roll on tonight! Fish and chips and champagne and a mortgage the size of the national debt!

We made it!!! What a day. I've never been so tired in my life. Thanks for all the tips everyone, they came in really handy. The new house is absolutely amazing and I feel really lucky.

@bumhug I hope you've had a successful day and you're in safely. Fantastic idea to get a cleaner, I wish I'd thought of that! Hope you'll be very happy in your new pad.

Aw lovely! Bet you’re loving not having a panic about loo roll

@SometimesSquircles

We made it!!! What a day. I've never been so tired in my life. Thanks for all the tips everyone, they came in really handy. The new house is absolutely amazing and I feel really lucky.

@bumhug I hope you've had a successful day and you're in safely. Fantastic idea to get a cleaner, I wish I'd thought of that! Hope you'll be very happy in your new pad.

Congratulations!! Enjoy!

I second the exhaustion. Every bone aches!!

So.Many. Boxes.