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How to Make Moving Home Easier – Part 2
Moving day has finally arrived but no need to panic! Gemma is here with the best tips to make moving a lot easier than anticipated.
The big day is here and what has been weeks in the planning is now an imminent event – you are moving to a new house. If you’re not quite at this stage yet, check out part one to discover how to prepare in plenty of time.
I put my head together with TeamTOMM and we have come up with some genius ways to make sure that moving day goes without a hitch.
But before we get started, the most important thing is to make sure that your energy levels do not flag on moving day. Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep and a nourishing breakfast, set yourself up for a day of lifting and delegating (talking of lifting, make sure that you have brushed up on how to lift heavy boxes safely, don’t injure yourself!)
Tip 1: Have a deep clean
In an ideal world you will have had some time to have a clean-up of your new place before you start to move in all of your furniture. Now is the perfect time to either do a deep clean yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Things you might like to deep clean are the carpets, the oven, the fridge and the bathrooms.
Tip 2: Arrange pet care
If you have pets it might be worthwhile arranging pet care for moving day. This way you won’t have to worry about Tiddles running away through an open door. Making sure that they are looked after whilst you are settling in will mean that when they come into their new environment, they will be able to relax and explore their new surroundings.
Tip 3: Do one last walk through
Before you leave your old home do one last walk through to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Check your loft, shed and garage as they are the most likely places for things to be left.Tip 4: Take photos of every room
If you are moving out of a rented property, take detailed photos of each room so that you have proof of the condition you left the property in. The same applies if you are moving into a rented property, if on arrival you notice that some parts of the property are in bad condition, take a photo immediately so that you have proof the problems existed before you arrived.
Tip 5: Keep essential items handy
Make sure that you take all of your essential daily items with you in a handy and easily accessible box. Fill it with things that you will need in the first few hours. Things to think about taking with you are your kettle and hot drink supplies, paracetamol and other medication, toilet rolls, a tea towel and a hand towel, phone chargers etc.
Tip 6: Keep important documents or items with you
Keep all of your important documents (and other precious items, such as jewellery) with you when you travel to the new house. It is far too easy for things to get lost in transit. You can put them in their new safe place as soon as you arrive and there will be no panic searching wondering where you put the passports.
Tip 7: Unload boxes directly into their corresponding rooms
Remember the colour coded boxes from part 1? Now is the time to get these to the corresponding rooms. Do this as soon as you get to your new home so that everyone knows where everything needs to go.
Tip 8: Protect your flooring
Unless you are going somewhere with hard floors or very old carpet that you plan on replacing, then you need to think about protecting your flooring. You can buy carpet protectors at most DIY shops or you might like to provide everyone with plastic shoe coverings.
Tip 9: Build the beds straight away
When you arrive at your new house make it your first job to build the beds and put the bedding on straight away. This means when you get too tired to do any more your bed will be ready and waiting for you.
Tip 10: Take meter readings
Take a note and a photo (for evidence) of the meter readings and make sure you inform the utility suppliers.
Tip 11: Label up the cupboards
Getting used to the layout of a new kitchen can be frustrating. Until everyone familiarises themselves with where you keep the cups and the coffee, stick notes on the front of the cupboards. This will save frantic searching for the bottle opener!
Tip 12: List used boxes on local selling sites
If you have used cardboard packing boxes in the move, then it is a really good idea to list them on a local selling sites as soon as you unpack. They always get snapped up quickly and it will save them from cluttering up your new home when you no longer need them.
Tip 13: Don't exhaust yourself!
And finally, don’t exhaust yourself trying to do it all in one day. As long as you get in and things run smoothly that is the most important thing.
