Moving house is notoriously stressful, from dealing with solicitors and property chains to sorting out your house and packing, it can be hard. However, there are ways to make dealing with moving easier. The most important is preparation. Being organised, having a plan, and making a list will help to ensure that everything gets done, and help you work your way through the various tasks required to move from your old home to your new home. Do not leave everything to the last minute, whilst you don’t want your whole house packed up months in advance and to be living out of boxes, there are many things that you can do in advance of moving, just leaving yourself the final packing to be done in the last few weeks. So, be prepared get organised, and read on to learn more about when to start packing for your next adventure.
How Far in Advance Should You Start Packing to Move?
Everyone is different, so people will want to start packing for a move at different times. Some people worry about starting to pack and then their chain falling through, but with the increasingly short times between exchange and completion, most people don’t have the luxury of being able to wait until exchange to start packing. Some people like to start the moment they have an offer on their house, whilst others would rather pay their removal company to pack their home, thereby reducing their workload and stress. Generally, starting to sort and prepare two months in advance of your moving date gives you a good amount of time to get your house ready, however, if you have a very busy life, a large house, or have lived in your home for a long time, then the sooner the better!
Planning Your Packing Timeline
Packing up your entire house can seem overwhelming. By creating a packing plan with a timeline you can break the job up into manageable sections, which will make it feel far more achievable, and give you a structure to work towards. Obviously, these are just guidelines, and you need to ensure that you can manage this around the complexities of your life, and the likely speed of your move.
6–8 Weeks Before Moving
The first stage of packing is always to declutter. You don’t want to move every single item in your home, if you have a garage, loft or garden shed, the chances are you will have old, unused or unwanted items. Take anything that you no longer want or need to the charity shop or tip, or you could do a car boot sale. You will be amazed by how much stuff you have accumulated. Giving yourself time to sort properly before your moving date will make the actual packing much easier. Next, get prepared by gathering packing supplies such as boxes, packing paper, tape and labels.
4–6 Weeks Before Moving
If you have the space it is worth allocating a room to store boxes in, so that you don’t have to live amongst a sea of boxes! Begin packing rooms that are less frequently used, for example, the spare room or garage. Give this room a deep clean before you start storing boxes in there and then all it will need is a final quick clean once the boxes are moved out.
2–4 Weeks Before Moving
Now is the time to get serious about packing. So pack up anything that you don’t use regularly. This can be seasonal clothes, books, photo albums, and non-essential kitchen gadgets. Make sure that you label every box so you know exactly where everything is. Work on a room at a time, as this will help it feel less overwhelming.
1–2 Weeks Before Moving
Now you can pack up the remainder of your items leaving only skeleton supplies, such as enough clothes for each family member for the week, and enough crockery for each person to have a set. Everything else can be packed. Make sure you use up any odds and ends of food and toiletries so that you reduce the risk of spills.
Final Week
Once you have made it to the final week, hopefully, your completion date should be set. Leave out items to make an essentials bag, for each family member to have, and a kitchen box with items that you will need on moving day such as a kettle and mugs. Everything else can be packed up.
Pre-Packing Preparation
The most important thing that you can do before you start packing is sort your belongings. You will always be surprised by how much you can get rid of, whether it is simply items that you no longer use, or want, or old, damaged or broken items. By sorting properly before you start packing, you will make the actual packing and moving far easier.
Essential Supplies
To pack you will need boxes, packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, labels, and marker pens. Your removal company will often provide you with boxes, and it is good to use these as it will help them to load more effectively. They will usually give you a few different size boxes.
Packing for a Move Room-by-Room Guide
Always begin with the rooms that you use less frequently, such as the spare bedroom, and the garage. These rooms can be packed up early on and then used to store boxes, to keep them out of the high traffic areas. Bedrooms can then be packed up other than essentials. Pictures and ornaments can be packed from sitting rooms and living spaces so that a skeleton room is left. Before you disconnect your television and other electronics, take a photo of the wiring and connections, so that it is easy to reconnect it in your new house. In the bathroom, make sure that you use up and the ends of products, so that there is less chance of spillages. The kitchen can have the less used items packed up, and then you can start running down your supplies so that you aren’t moving with lots of surplus food. Just before moving day, the final few items from each room can then be packed up.
Packing Tips for Safety and Efficiency
Always label your boxes, so that your removal team knows where to put them in your new home. Make sure you don’t overpack or underpack boxes, so pack heavy items such as books in smaller boxes, and large lighter items in bigger boxes, as this will make them easier to move. Don’t spend too much time leaning over to pack, but rather place your box on a table to work. Packing is hard work so make sure that you take frequent breaks.
Hiring a Local Movers
Hiring a professional and reliable moving company is essential to help you have a stress-free move. Ask friends and family for recommendations, but remember to book your movers in good time, as they do get booked up. As ever always be wary of moving quotes that seem extremely cheap!
Final Preparation
Pack each family member an overnight bag, so that everyone has what they need for the first night. Also pack an essentials box with items such as a kettle, mugs, snacks, phone chargers, and any important documents that you may need on moving day. Try and get some rest before the big moving day, as it is always a long and tiring day.
Get Ready to Pack with K1 Removals
Here at K1 Removals, we are here to help you have a smooth move. If the thought of packing up your home fills you with horror, be sure to ask us for a packing quote. We offer complete moving services, including packing and unpacking, as well as standard removal services. To discuss your next move, contact us at 0330 103 0041.