Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving House in the UK

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tips to avoid when moving

They say that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences that you can expect to go through in life. And given the financial burden, the need for endless boxes, and the Tetris-style game of fitting all your furniture into a moving van and then into your new home, we have to say that we agree,

Having been a part of the moving process for countless families, couples, and homeowners over the years, we consider ourselves experts in both the wide-scale logistics and the finer details. Not only does this give us some idea of what to expect, but it also means that we are well-positioned to share advice on how to make the process as pain-free as possible.

That starts with acknowledging some common mistakes and things that you should avoid doing when moving house. Without further ado, here are five of the top mistakes we are committed to helping homeowners avoid when they move.

1. Leaving Things to the Last Minute

Hopefully, this isn’t something we need to dive into too deeply – after all, it seems obvious that packing isn’t something that should be left to the last minute.

Having said that, the process of packing comes with several details that are important to consider – many of which come with organising and a strategic approach to packing.

The first is to know where things are. The easiest way to do this is to pack by room and label boxes clearly, writing a list on each box that details what is inside it. This means that when you get to the other end, you know which boxes belong where and can unpack as strategically as you packed.

The second is to make sure that fragile items are packed securely and labeled as such. It is impossible to handle everything delicately, so be deliberate with how and where you use fragile tape – and keep these items separate where possible.

2. Lacking a Plan for Furniture

Arriving at your new house with no plan for where different furnishings need to be taken is one of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when they move.

Not only does it make life easier when you know which beds are going where and which boxes are going into each room, but having a plan also means you know furnishings will fit in the space.

There is nothing more annoying than moving your sofa all the way to your new home only to find it doesn’t fit in the living room. Use floor plans, get your measuring tape out, and make sure that everything you’re taking with you has a home in the new house.

This leads nicely to the next common mistake you should work hard to avoid…

3. Taking Everything (and we mean everything!)

Believe us when we say there is no better time to declutter than when moving house. This is your opportunity to take a step back and appraise your belongings with a critical eye, deciding what you want to take with you, what you need, and what you could do with finding a new home of its own.

If it’s an item of clothing you haven’t worn for a while, or a home accessory that you know will end up at the back of a cupboard in your new home, consider giving it away – or even selling it to make a little extra cash! Your unwanted goods could be exactly what someone else has been looking for.

moving day

4. Lacking a Plan for Moving Day

If you’re planning a house move in the coming weeks or months, then consider this your sign to spend the next hour creating a moving day plan.

Sure, you know where you need to be and when. But do you know what time the movers are arriving, which route you’re going to take to the new house, and what must-have and personal items you need to have in the car with you?

For those with kids, pets, and specific needs, making sure that you have easy access to all the possessions, foods, medications, and toys that you might need is crucial. It’s no use suddenly realising that the dog’s food bowl is in the moving van – these are things that you need to separate in advance and keep handy.

Other things that it’s important to keep a close eye on include passports and other important documents, phones, and chargers, any contact details you need on the day, and some crockery and accessories that you’ll need for meal one in the new house.

5. Neglecting to Change Your Address

There is a great deal of admin involved in moving house – much of which it is important to sort out ahead of time and before moving day.

Redirecting important bills and setting up suppliers at the new property are all important details that ensure you don’t suffer a dip in connection, your ability to work, or miss parcels and deliveries.

Our advice is to create a list of all the suppliers that make your house a home and get in touch to inform them of your move. Some will transfer the same package to your new home without issue, while others may recommend other suppliers.

The same is true of regular deliveries such as Amazon packages and supermarket orders. And don’t forget to change the listed address on your vehicle with the DVLA, the address on your driving license, and those attached to work, banks, and tax letters/accounts.   

We hope that by sharing these top five mistakes to avoid, we have equipped you with some things to think about in advance of moving day. For hands-on support with your move and for more advice like this, get in touch with A Swift Move today.

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