5 Moving House Tips

People say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever do - And they aren't wrong.

Moving into our first proper home (a two bed flat) was easy-peasy - We'd gone from a rented apartment where most of the contents were provided, into a blank canvas.

But, if you're anything like me, you might find it very easy to... Accumulate things. Maybe your vice is ornaments or candles, maybe it's cushions. Personally mine is, well, just everything homeware, which at the time seems perfectly logical. It's pretty. It fits in your home. Your style changes and your possessions grow with your home. And then suddenly the time comes to box it all up and pop it somewhere new, and WOW you seem to have bought a lot of things!

So now that we've succesfully gone through two big moves, I thought I'd share a few pointers for moving house, from choosing the removal companies to the unpacking once you're in!

1. Shop around for a removal company

This tip had to come first. I know it seems obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people just go with the first removal company they see, or the ones with the most online presence. Removal companies hold so much power as they can really make or break your move. These are some of the key things we thought about:

- Level of service. Do you need them to pack your things for you or could you manage that yourselves? Some companies provide packing boxes - work out whether you need these or not. Make these decisions early on, and then start hunting around.

- Details, details. Removal companies will need to know where you're moving to, the size of your home, and a date on which you will be moving. You really need to get this date pencilled in with your removers as soon as you have it - The last thing you want is to be left in the lurch on the day.

- Shop around. We contacted four independent removal guys, each of whom came to scope out our apartment before giving us a quote. It's very important to shop around, in order to gauge an 'average' cost of the move and to know that you're not being ripped off! Don't just go with the cheapest quote - Make sure you have gained a full picture of the work you are agreeing to and if possible, some past jobs the company have done (see reviews on websites etc). You could also ask friends and family if they would recommend a company they have used, for added peace of mind. Once booked, ensure that you have all of the contact details for the company for any emergency updates, and you're set.

2. Start early

You might think you can't begin packing until you've been given a moving date, but why not start sooner? We started packing non-essential items such as things that were up in the loft, and clothes we didn't wear often. We did a few boxes every weekend, and before we knew it we were almost done. When we were given our final date, all we had to do was the last couple of boxes. It made it seem like so much less daunting than trying to do it all a few weeks before moving day.

3. Label it up

One of the things we found most helpful after the move was the way we had labelled the moving boxes. I used a template I found on The Project Girl which were really easy to use and made unpacking easier. When the removal men came to pick up the boxes, they could easily see which box was destined for which room, and on the blank lines we wrote exactly what was in the box, so we could lay a hand on anything we needed. Have lots of marker pens ready for anyone helping you pack, so they can help you label as you go. Trust me, this is one of the best things you'll do!

4. Pack a 'first night' box.

This is a tip you've probably seen mentioned before, and with good reason. This should be the last box that gets put onto the van, and the first one to come out and be immediately unpacked.
Handy items for this box are:
- Kettle, coffee, tea, milk (this one is especially important - to keep the removal men happy!)
- A few mugs and glasses
- Cleaning products
- Accessories for any pets or kiddies that will need feeding that evening
- Towels & toiletries
- Bedding (make up your duvet and pillow before you go, so that when you get to the new house you    can build your bed and just jump on in!
- Paracetamol for achy heads and backs
- A bottle of champagne, to crack open when you finally shut the door on the removal men!
- A radio or speakers for ipod/iphone, to make the move a bit less stressful!
- Pyjamas
- A change of clothes for the next day
You'll be so glad you did this one at the end of a long day when you can't find the teapot and are desperate for a cuppa.

5. Unpack the areas you use the most first

This seems like an obvious one, but it's almost always forgotten - Don't sweat the small stuff! Focus on the essentials. Build the beds and wire in the TV so that you can sit down with a coffee and get an early night before starting to unpack in the morning / at the weekend. You'll probably feel like you want everything to be perfectly in it's place from the moment you get in, but remember there's no hurry! Pace yourselves and it will make for a much happier and more memorable experience for you and your family.


If you're reading this because you're about to move house, I hope you found these tips useful.
Best of luck with your house move!

- Em