6 Essential Tips for a Stress-Free House Move

Key Takeaways:

• Start planning 8 weeks in advance to reduce stress by up to 60%.
• Declutter your home to save time and money - use the 90-day rule to decide what to keep.
• Book a reliable removal company early and confirm all details.
• Pack room by room with clear labels and colour codes for easy unpacking.
• Prepare an essentials box with items you'll need immediately on arrival.

Quick Checklist:

1. Plan Ahead: Create a timeline with tasks for each week leading up to the move.
2. Declutter: Sort items into sell, donate, or dispose categories.
3. Pack Smart: Use double-walled boxes, bubble wrap, and a labelling system.
4. Confirm Details: Double-check moving arrangements with your moving company.
5. Unpack Strategically: Start with essentials like the kitchen and bedrooms.

With these 6 essential tips for a stress-free house move, you can turn moving into a smooth and manageable process. Let us dive into the details to make your next move stress-free.

1. Plan Your Move in Advance

Start preparing for your move at least eight weeks ahead to minimise stress. Here is a breakdown of the key steps to help you stay on track and organised.

Create a Moving Timeline

A clear timeline will help you manage tasks efficiently and avoid last-minute chaos:

• Eight weeks before: Declutter your home, gather packing supplies, set up a digital folder for moving documents, get quotes from removal companies, and establish a budget.
• Six weeks before: Book storage if needed, order any new furniture, arrange childcare and pet care, and create a detailed inventory.
• Four weeks before: Confirm your moving date, draft a floor plan for your new property, notify your household insurer, inform utility providers, find new healthcare providers, schedule internet installation, and map out your moving route.
• Two weeks before: Start dismantling non-essential furniture and packing non-essential items, organise all moving-related bills and receipts, set up mail forwarding, update DVLA regarding new address for your driving licence, and arrange for prescription transfers.

Once your timeline is in place, confirm your removals service to ensure everything stays on schedule.

Select Your Moving Company

Booking a dependable removals service early can make your moving day much smoother. Mark Bailey, Head of Removals at Rightmove, emphasises:

"A professional removals service that will help move all your belongings on move day could be the biggest stress reliever on the day" ^[3].

If you are considering London House Removals Ltd, here is a helpful guide to timing your arrangements:

2. Remove Unwanted Items

Getting rid of unnecessary items before your move can save you time, money, and stress. Some studies reveals that around 50% of UK households hold onto things longer than they should, with Brits spending over 3,500 hours of their lives searching for misplaced items.

Tackle One Room at a Time

Decluttering is easier when you focus on one room at a time. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide what to keep and what to let go:

Once you have sorted through each room, group the unwanted items into categories: sell, donate, or dispose off.

What to Do with Unwanted Items

After decluttering, decide what to do with the items you no longer need:

• Sell: Set fair prices and list items about six weeks before your move. This gives buyers enough time to view and collect them.
• Donate: Many local charities offer free collection services for items in good condition.
• Dispose off: For items that can’t be sold or donated, companies like London House Removals Ltd provide responsible disposal services, handling everything from single items to entire room contents.

Use the 90-day rule to help make decisions. If you haven’t used something in the past 90 days and don’t expect to use it in the next 90 days, it’s time to let it go. This method keeps things simple and reduces the number of items you will need to pack and move.

3. Pack Correctly

Correct packing can greatly minimise the risk of damage to your items during the move.

Gather Essential Supplies

Having the right materials on hand is key to protecting your belongings. Here is a quick guide:

Label Your Boxes

A good labelling system makes unpacking much easier. Follow these steps:

1. Use Colour Coding or Numbers for Rooms
   Assign a colour or a number to each room to keep things organised, e.g. blue colour for master bedroom, or call it “bedroom 1”
2. Include Key Information
   Clearly note on each box:
   • A brief description of its contents
   • Special handling instructions (e.g., "Fragile")

Pack Essentials Separately

Set aside a box with items you will need as soon as you arrive. This will save you from rummaging through packed boxes. Here is what to include:

Extra Packing Tips

• Pack plates in paper vertically rather than stacking them flat.
• Wrap oddly shaped items with two layers of bubble wrap.
• Use small or medium boxes for heavy items and books to avoid overloading.
• Fill empty spaces with packing paper to stop items from shifting during transit.

4. Get Ready for Moving Day

After packing everything efficiently, the next step is making sure moving day goes smoothly.

Check Moving Details

Confirm all moving arrangements using this timeline to stay on track:

Final Property Check

• Go through every room, including attics and basements. Do not forget about your summer house and garden shed.
• Check all built-in storage and cupboards.

Plan for Children and Pets

For children and teens, prepare a personal kit with essentials, entertainment, and comfort items to make the move easier:

• Favourite snacks and drinks
• Entertainment (books, tablets, toys)
• A change of clothes and nappies
• Comfort items like a blanket or stuffed animal

Help them adjust by:

• Letting them pack their own "open me first" box.
• Keeping their important belongings close by.
• Encouraging them to stay connected with friends via mobile devices.
• Involving them in planning the layout of their new room.

For both children and pets, create a safe, stress-free environment:

• Arrange childcare or pet care with trusted family or friends.
• Set up a secure space away from the moving chaos.

5. Handle Paperwork

Getting your paperwork in order ahead of time can make your move much less stressful.

Update Your Address

Update your address 3-4 weeks before moving. Here is a handy checklist of organisations to notify:

Use Royal Mail's mail redirection service to avoid missing any important letters during the move.

Do not forget to update your address on digital platforms too. This includes online shopping accounts, map apps, smart home devices, streaming services, and mobile banking apps.

Connect Home Services

Reach out to utility providers about 3-4 weeks before your move to ensure everything is set up on time.

Take note of your current meter readings, arrange final bills, and confirm service start dates at your new place.

It’s helpful to create a home information binder with key details, such as:

• Emergency contact numbers
• Utility account information
• Service provider contacts
• Local area tips
• Property maintenance records

When setting up new services, keep in mind that some companies might charge setup fees or deposits. However, these charges might be waived depending on your credit history or existing relationship with the provider.

Key timing reminders:

• Schedule internet installation 1-2 weeks before moving in
• Transfer electricity and gas services 3-4 weeks in advance
• Notify water providers at least 2 weeks before moving
• Set up council tax payments as soon as possible

Keep records of all communications with providers, including confirmation numbers and appointment details.

With these steps done, you are well on your way to a smoother transition into your new home.

6. Move Into Your New Home

Clean Before Unpacking

Before you start unpacking, give your new home a thorough clean. Pay special attention to these areas:

If you want a truly spotless start, consider hiring a professional cleaning service.

Unpack Room by Room

To keep things organised, unpack one room at a time. Set up designated zones for essentials like documents, first-aid supplies, and empty boxes.

Here is a smart order to tackle the unpacking:

1. Kitchen
   Start here to make the space functional right away. Unpack essential items like cookware, utensils, and small appliances.
2. Bedrooms
   Assemble the beds first - after a long moving day, you will need a good night's rest. Focus on bedding and essential clothing, leaving wardrobe organisation for later.
3. Bathroom
   Install shower curtains and unpack daily necessities like toiletries, towels, hand soap, and cleaning supplies.

By unpacking room by room, you will create a sense of order and make your new space feel like home faster.

Plan Room Layouts

Once the unpacking is done, it is time to arrange your furniture for comfort and practicality. Keep these tips in mind:

• Leave about 75 cm of space around furniture for easy movement.
• Start with larger items like sofas and beds.
• Create conversation areas in living spaces.
• Ensure every seat has access to a side table.
• Factor in natural light and avoid screen glare.

For your living room, establish a focal point - such as a fireplace or TV unit - to guide your furniture placement. This not only creates a welcoming atmosphere but also keeps walkways clear.

Other layout tips to consider:

• Check the location of electrical outlets and light fixtures.
• Account for door swings and window openings.
• Maintain clear pathways between rooms.
• Arrange furniture to make the most of natural light.

Thoughtful planning will help you create a comfortable and functional living environment in your new home.

Conclusion

Moving house is often one of the most stressful life events. As Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of Anxiety UK, explains:

"It's one of life's most stressful experiences, and it's because it involves having to cope with change... Most of us like familiarity, routine and order. When you're moving, you have none of those. Plus, it causes a ripple effect of change throughout your life." ^[9]

To navigate this challenge, a well-thought-out plan and careful execution can make all the difference. With these 6 essential tips for a stress-free house move you can reduce the stress related to moving and creates a more organised experience.

Professional help can also be a game-changer. At London House Removals Ltd, with over 15 years of expertise and over 10,000 successful moves, we offer full support during home moving process and our impressively low claim rate shows dedication to handling your belongings with care. Fill in our Online Contact Form today to plan your move right away.