Moving House: 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions

Moving house is cited as one of the most stressful things people can do in their lifetime. While we can’t promise to give you all the answers to make it completely stress-free, here are some frequently asked questions about moving that might ease your way. 

1. How long can it take to move?

This answer all depends on you, how you are planning to move and where you are moving to. For instance, the moving process can take longer if you start packing well in advance of moving, but in turn this also can decrease the stress due to having it all safely packed well beforehand. Similarly, if you are downsizing, then potentially selling items can make the moving process feel longer.  You will also need to factor in if you are planning to do it all yourself or use movers. To be able to pack a van correctly and lift all of your heavy furniture out and then into the new place, could take you much longer than using a removal company.   

2.  Should I use a removal company?

Again, this depends on you and your preferences. Some initial questions to ask yourself could be: Can you drive the van?  Can you securely pack a van?  Can you comfortably lift all of your furniture?  Are there people who can help you?  If you are uncertain of any of these, then maybe you should look into hiring professionals to help you move. Movers can ensure that all your belongings are packed in a safe way in the van that reduces the chance of anything falling or breaking. As well as this, having people who are trained to lift heavy objects safely can save you from getting seriously injured. It will also save you time as you will have more people to help you move, especially as they are people who do this every day. Make sure you have factored in the cost of this service into any budget you have for moving.   

3. How can I cut costs?

There are some simple things you can do to help reduce the cost of moving home, particularly if you are using a removal company. One thing to think about is supplying your own boxes and packing them yourself. Some companies will offer services to provide moving boxes or helping you to pack, but this will cost you extra. Additionally, they may charge you extra to unplug appliances or take furniture apart. Where you can, try to do this yourself. But remember to be safe when detaching electrical or gas appliances! Decluttering your home of items you don’t use or can’t make space for in your new place will reduce the amount of items you need to move. This then saves you (or the removal company) time in packing the van, as well as the number of times you may have to journey between the two houses to fully move in.  Pack carefully. Filling out boxes properly can help you cut down on items like bubble wrap, tape and boxes/bags. Ensuring that these are also packed carefully can help reduce the amount of things that could break in transit, therefore costing you money to replace them. Get various quotes for removal companies if you decide to use one. Shopping around can save you money, as can picking the right day to move (see question 5).    

4. How do I pack?

There are lots of things that you will need to pack for the big day, but here are some items to make sure you have on hand: Hot drinks, mugs, and a kettle;  cleaning products and hoovers;  loo roll; laptops/computers and all chargers;  clothes for the next day;  bedding for that night. There is nothing worse than finding you don’t have the essentials while you’re moving, and yes that includes a cup of tea! We have more tips and tricks on how to pack up your house in detail in another blog post, but here are some of the highlights. Making an inventory list that includes where you have packed the items will help you know if anything is missing- as will labeling boxes as to what is in them and which room they are meant to go in. Packing sensibly so that the boxes aren’t too full and are packed in categories are essential.   

5. What is the best day to move on?

The least frequent days for moving are during the middle of the week (Tuesday- Thursday). This could mean that you are more likely to get a removal company on the day you would like, and it could also work out cheaper for you. Depending on the time of day you move, traffic will also be lower than at the weekends, saving you more time and therefore more money! Friday is the most common day for people to move on, so try to avoid this where you can.  

6. How do I change my address details?

You will need to look at what services you subscribe to, as some specific companies (Amazon for example) will allow you to change your address on your account details. Other companies are best to phone and speak to in person (like internet/tv/landline providers and gas and electricity companies) as you may be able to transfer those services to your new address without changing your account. This can then save you time from being cut off from things like the internet. Another service to utilise is the PostOffice change-of-address service, which allows you to redirect your post for up to 12 months. Some things may still slip through the net, so it is a good idea to leave a note with the new owners that states where you have moved to so they can manually redirect any post that still arrives for you.   

7. Who do I need to tell?

Similarly to question 6, you will need to look at what services you currently have. Here is a list of who you will need to inform about your change of address, but this is not a comprehensive list. Your place of work; Friends and family; Doctors and other health specialists such as dentists and opticians; The service providers mentioned above; Mobile phone company; Subscriptions such as magazines;  Insurance companies and the DVLA if you have a car; Banks and pension providers; TV licensing and Your local council  

8. What can I do for the new owners of my old house?

Ensuring the house is as clean as possible so that the new residents can move in without that worry is a very considerate practice. This is also for your benefit if you are moving out of a rented property, as this will likely reduce how much is taken from your deposit. If there are any keys for windows or doors within the property, take time to label them so the new residents don’t have to go hunting for which key fits which lock. It also gives peace of mind in all keys and locks being accounted for.  Leave a note of any instructions you feel are necessary- like how to operate the boiler, where the fuse box is etc.  

9. What do I need to do once I have moved?

Before you return your rented van or the removal company leave, make sure you check that all of your belongings are accounted for. This is where your inventory comes into play. If there are things missing then you will know while you still have the ability to try and find them. Check all doors and windows to make sure you have all the keys that fit them. The previous occupants may not have been as considerate as you were to those moving in after you.  Before you unpack, clean as much as you have energy for. This way you can unpack into a clean space. Take the time to figure out where everything is (like the fuse box, electric and gas meters, etc) and familiarise yourself with them, just in case you need to find or use them in an emergency.  We don’t want to think about people you don’t know having keys to your new place, but it is a possibility. If this is a worry for you, then look into getting new locks (and therefore new keys) to your front and back doors. If you have just bought a new property that cost over £125,000 or £300,000 as a first-time buyer, then you will have to pay a stamp duty bill within 30 days of moving. Make sure you pay this on time to avoid repercussions!  

10. How can self-storage help?

Renting a self-storage unit before you move can help in a number of ways. For example, it can give you a space closer to your new home to store items and therefore reduce the number of van journeys you need to do on the day. There is also no rush in when you have to move them into your new place, so you can get settled first and slowly introduce the rest of your belongings.  It can also help if you are downsizing into a smaller property and can’t take all your belongings. There may be things you just cannot part with but also can’t keep in your home, or things you need to store while trying to sell them. Equally, if you are moving into a larger house, then you can store any extra furniture you may want or need without filling up where you live now!   So there you have it! Our answers to some of the most asked questions surrounding moving house.  If you think that utilising a storage unit to take some of the stress off of moving day is something you want to do, then get in touch with BoxPod Space or visit us at any of BoxPod Space locations