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15 Tips for moving house

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I posted this back in 2011 and after talking to many people over the last couple of months asking questions about moving I thought it time I updated it.

 

1. Pack as much as possible in boxs, it takes up less space in the lorry and protects your items much more and is quicker to move.

(Use brown parcel tape and seal the box,also write on top whats in it.)

 

2. Put soft items like bedding,towels,ect in black sacks and tie them up.

 

3. Start Packing the stuff you dont use NOW! you cant start too early.

 

4. Dont just email a company ring them and speak to them it really helps putting your mind at rest if they can answer your questions in a professional manner.

 

5. If the removal company are working on an hourly rate (like we do) make sure they can get parked outside,as your packing boxs if possible stack them in a downstairs room, dissconect/diss assemble any items that need it.

 

6. Dont pack your kettle, its amazing the little extras a cup of coffee will get you!

 

7. Make sure you tell the movers where to put your furniture as they bring it in so they can put it in place.

 

8. Keep any important papers (cheque books,passports ect) safe in your car/bag so they can be found asap if needed.

 

9. Keep any pets out of the way, cats in a cat box,dogs are best left with family or friends.

 

10. When its all done review the movers on Google, good or bad! to help others.

( check online reviews from well known places such as Google,checkatrade,which,trust pilot) but 1 bad review doesn't make a bad company.

 

11. Make sure you get email confirmation so you have proof you have made a booking.

 

12. Ask what size vehicle they will be using and if it's sign written

( having a sign written vehicle is a companies best advert so if they don't, ask why not)

 

13. Make sure the company has insurance ( don't just take there word for it) website,ivat registered and has a trading address and has a landline/ freephone number Not just a mobile number which help show they are a "real company" not just a fly by night.

 

14. In bad weather Don't put sheets on stairs ask if the company can supply carpet stick to use as sheets are dangerous and a trip hazard.

(There is usually a small charge but cheaper than carpet cleaning)

 

15. Check access for a lorry at the house your moving from and into things like low branches,wires,narrow lanes and gates might mean a large lorry can't even get close to your home but by telling the company before could make a big difference.

 

 

Remember: EVERYTHING you own is going in there lorry take cre finding a good removal company and they will take care of your property!

 

Hope this helps

 

Good Luck

Edited by bigsteve

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There seems to be a few "house removers" who permanently park their vans on the public highway these days. If I was choosing one then I'd go for one with a proper base to keep their vans, then I'd know my stuff was safer if it had to stay in storage for a short period.

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Your stuff wouldn't be insured if it was left on a public road overnight with your goods in the back.

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I would suggest using a company that charges by the hour isn't the best way forward. Having done that in the past and watched them slowly taking things in and out of the houses well past nightfall the next time I got a fixed quote. The difference in speed and attitude was noticeable.

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I posted this back in 2011 and after talking to many people over the last couple of months asking questions about moving I thought it time I updated it.

 

1. Pack as much as possible in boxs, it takes up less space in the lorry and protects your items much more and is quicker to move.

(Use brown parcel tape and seal the box,also write on top whats in it.)

 

2. Put soft items like bedding,towels,ect in black sacks and tie them up.

 

3. Start Packing the stuff you dont use NOW! you cant start too early.

 

4. Dont just email a company ring them and speak to them it really helps putting your mind at rest if they can answer your questions in a professional manner.

 

5. If the removal company are working on an hourly rate (like we do) make sure they can get parked outside,as your packing boxs if possible stack them in a downstairs room, dissconect/diss assemble any items that need it.

 

6. Dont pack your kettle, its amazing the little extras a cup of coffee will get you!

 

7. Make sure you tell the movers where to put your furniture as they bring it in so they can put it in place.

 

8. Keep any important papers (cheque books,passports ect) safe in your car/bag so they can be found asap if needed.

 

9. Keep any pets out of the way, cats in a cat box,dogs are best left with family or friends.

 

10. When its all done review the movers on Google, good or bad! to help others.

( check online reviews from well known places such as Google,checkatrade,which,trust pilot) but 1 bad review doesn't make a bad company.

 

11. Make sure you get email confirmation so you have proof you have made a booking.

 

12. Ask what size vehicle they will be using and if it's sign written

( having a sign written vehicle is a companies best advert so if they don't, ask why not)

 

13. Make sure the company has insurance ( don't just take there word for it) website,ivat registered and has a trading address and has a landline/ freephone number Not just a mobile number which help show they are a "real company" not just a fly by night.

 

14. In bad weather Don't put sheets on stairs ask if the company can supply carpet stick to use as sheets are dangerous and a trip hazard.

(There is usually a small charge but cheaper than carpet cleaning)

 

15. Check access for a lorry at the house your moving from and into things like low branches,wires,narrow lanes and gates might mean a large lorry can't even get close to your home but by telling the company before could make a big difference.

 

 

Remember: EVERYTHING you own is going in there lorry take cre finding a good removal company and they will take care of your property!

 

Hope this helps

 

Good Luck

 

Thats brilliant info and all very true.

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"Max" it is true some removal men would go slower when working on an hourly rate but that would be the difference between a "good " company and a "bad" one.

A fixed price is great if your going from town to town or to the other side of the country but for a local move it can work out costing much more.

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I would like to add to that list.

 

I marked each box with a number then made a brief list of the contents in each box. I marked each box with the room name it needed to go in at the new house. With the bedrooms I put bedroom numbers on then stuck a note on the new door which was bedroom one, bedroom two etc.

 

If you have any garden furniture or heavy planters ask about those too. We didn't have a lot of furniture as all the bedrooms had fitted wardrobes. I asked in advance if the removal company would take some of the heavy garden planters. Its useful to get them to come and look to quote.

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"Chez"

That's a great tip about numbering the rooms and putting the same on the boxs it saves removal man having to ask every time and saves time and means you have the right boxs in the right rooms.

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"Chez"

That's a great tip about numbering the rooms and putting the same on the boxs it saves removal man having to ask every time and saves time and means you have the right boxs in the right rooms.

 

Maybe you could make a free download ebooklet / leaflet of tips on your website if people request a quote? People receive it by email so you have their email address.

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"Chez"

 

Thanks that's a great idea, but the post was originally just to help people who were moving without promoting myself.

We had lots of people ringing with terrible stories of when they moved house in the past and I just thought it might help if people knew more what to look out for when selecting a mover and packing there home.

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Also, re point 6: the last things to pack (and the first to unpack) should be the kettle, a cup/mug, a teaspoon, a teabag, and milk (+ sugar, if desired). You'll need it.

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Also, re point 6: the last things to pack (and the first to unpack) should be the kettle, a cup/mug, a teaspoon, a teabag, and milk (+ sugar, if desired). You'll need it.

 

Don't forget the toilet roll handy!

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