It’s said that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences that you can have. Moving house is exciting, of course, but it also stressful. There’s a lot to do, and it can be tough to live among boxes while you’re packing. If you’ve sold your house, here are some top tips to make your move go smoothly. 

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Start early

As soon as you have a moving date, start packing. The earlier you start, the easier it will be. You can start off by packing things you won’t need in the last few weeks in your home. Pack up off-season clothes, spare bedding, and things you don’t use very often, like the ‘company’ dishes. If you’re struggling to find somewhere to put all the boxes as you pack, you could put them in storage to keep them out of the way. A short-term lease on a storage unit won’t be very expensive but will give you more room to work at home.

Label your boxes

As you seal a packed box, label it clearly. Write a quick list of what’s in it, and which room it should go into. By the time you get to the new house, you won’t remember what you packed where. With labeling, your removal team can put boxes in the right room to save you lugging them around the house, and you’ll have everything labeled so you can find what you want first. No desperately searching for the plates on the first night!

Pack a box of things you’ll need first

Put all the essentials in it. This should include things like phone chargers, a mug for everyone to use, any medication you need, and loo roll for the new house. Don’t put this box in the removal van and keep it with you instead. That way, as soon as you get to the new house, you have everything you might need before you can start unpacking. You’ll be able to go to the loo, have a drink, and charge your phone, instead of scrabbling through a box to find a cup while you’re gasping for some water. If you have pets, pack a similar box for them, with some food, their bed, and a favorite toy, so they have something familiar as soon as they arrive. 

Keep pets out of the way

If you do have pets, moving will be confusing for them. All the noise and people going in and out could be overwhelming. Give yourselves something less to worry about by keeping them away. If you can, send them somewhere else for the day, such as to a friend’s house or to kennels. If you can’t, clear out a room at the old house, and shut them in it. Make sure the removal company knows this is where they are, so nobody opens the door and lets them out. You can collect them when you’re ready to leave for the new house, and then do the same thing at the other end and shut them in. 

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