Moving house is one of life’s most exciting events. On the downside, it is also one of the most stressful events that life will throw our way.
The logistics of moving home can seem overwhelming at times. But there is a lot that people can do to help the whole process of moving home a lot easier and far less stressful.
At U Store IT, we have been helping people to move home for decades. Our self-storage units are often used as a “buffer zone” that offers temporary storage to help ease the burden and smooth the logistics of the move. Whether you need to declutter as you prepare, or maybe you need a little extra time to get your new home ready, self-storage units are commonly used to help when moving home.
As part of our service, we have compiled a guide that can be used to create a comprehensive moving house checklist to help you prepare for your move. We have also included a host of moving tips and advice to help smooth the process of moving home.
Moving House Timeline
The more time you have to prepare for your move, the easier it is. In this part of the moving house checklist, we will count down the three months running up to the move and what you can do at each stage to help smooth the process.
If you have longer than that to prepare then there is no harm in starting to prepare a little sooner.
Three months before moving day
Decluttering
You can save yourself a lot of hassle by preparing in plenty of time. Start as early as you can and about three months before moving day is the perfect time to start decluttering your home. If there are obvious items that aren’t moving to the new home and aren’t needed, then now is the time to dispose of them.
This creates valuable space (both in the home and the head!) and paves the way for a successful packing campaign!
Create a packing routine
Many things around the home can be packed away nice and early. Create a routine that sets aside a little time each day to pack non-essential items. Even 30 minutes a day will soon make a large dent in the workload.
Two months before moving day
Packing & Organising
The packing process continues through the entire run-up to the move. At this stage of the process, there should be more organisation involved. You now have to begin to think about what items need to be left to the last moment and what you can live without.
For instance, freshly squeezed orange juice might be your Sunday morning treat. But, is the juicing machine that critical? Now is the time to become a little more circumspect about what needs to be packed.
Other things that need to be organised at this stage include:
Removal Company
Allow yourself plenty of time to organise the right removal company. Do some research to find a list of reputable companies then compare them for suitability (cost, availability, insurance cover etc)
Tip
Always check the movers are fully insured to compensate against potential damages
Storage Requirements
Often it is not possible to move straight from old to new homes. Or you may have to renovate your new house and don’t want to move everything in straight away. If you are likely to need storage, this is the time to start exploring options.
U Store It has units in a range of sizes to suit all needs and offers competitive rates.
Start Gathering Paperwork
There is a lot of paperwork generated when moving home. Keeping all the relevant documents and information in one place will save a lot of time and stress. Items to include in the folder could be:
- Receipts and quotes
- House sale/purchase documents
- Relevant addresses and contact details
- Moving house checklist
Six weeks before moving day
Packing materials & utility companies
By now the process should be well on its way. The removal company and storage are organised. Much of the less critical gear is packed and ready to go and your paperwork is all in order.
Now is the time to start planning how to prepare and package your remaining furniture and belongings. Start by figuring out how much packaging material and boxes you will need. This doesn’t need to be precise but just make sure you know where to get some in a hurry should you run out.
Tip
Create a proper labelling system. For instance, each box could be labelled with the room they are to go to, the contents, fragility, whether the box contains heavier materials, etc.
There are several things to consider when ordering packaging materials and packing boxes:
- Quality – Saving a little money by skimping on the quality of materials and boxes you use is never a good idea. Opt for the best possible quality to ensure your good travel and store safely. U Store It stocks a range of high-quality boxes and packing materials to help protect your belongings during the move.
- Box size – There is always a temptation to opt for the largest possible box, but this isn’t always the best option. Large boxes are difficult to handle and stack and can become overheavy, try to minimise your use of larger boxes. Also, for ease of stacking try to purchase as many boxes of the same size as possible
Consider specialist boxes – Boxes like wardrobe boxes that are custom-designed to serve a specific purpose are a fantastic way to pack many types of items safely and securely
Utility Companies
Take a deep breath for this one and prepare for some potential frustration. Utility companies can take time to get things moving, so it is best to contact them nice and early and just check what their procedures are. Also, what you need to do and when you need to do it. Doing this now will save valuable time nearer the moving day when things are already frantic.
Remember to keep the information you discover and the dates that action is required in your paperwork folder. There is more information about what to do about bills and utilities later in this guide.
One month before moving day
More packing, organisation, and confirmation
Now is when things usually begin to get a little more frantic! However, by now if you have followed the steps in the checklist you should be well ahead of the game!
At this stage, there is the proverbial packing to do. At each stage of the packing process, the decisions become trickier. What will I not miss for a month? And what are the essentials that you can’t live without?
Create a list of what needs to be packed and what needs to be left. A good idea is to create a list that has a timescale on it with details like:
- What can be packed now/next week etc
- What needs to be packed the day before
- What is to be packed right at the last minute
- What can be moved to your self-storage unit
Tip
A methodical approach to packing is always more successful. Consider what rooms are least used and begin with them.
Another thing to do at this stage is to check that all the involved parties are aware of the times and that they are booked for the appropriate dates. (Time to dig out that all-important paperwork folder again.)
It is also a good time to organise a moving crew as well! Of course, good removal companies will safely transport your belongings from A to B, but organising a crew of friends and family is always a good idea to help with all the finer details.
Two weeks before moving day
Final Checks and Confirmations
At this stage, it is mostly just a continuation of the packing process. However, there are some other essentials that you need to consider:
Confirm Again
This might seem like overkill, but the last thing you need come moving day is to find there has been a mixup with dates. Confirm with your removal company, storage provider, and any other necessary parties that everything is in place for moving day.
Mail redirection
Get in touch with your postal service and set up a mail redirection service for the correct dates
Self-Storage
If you have booked self-storage and haven’t used it yet, a quick call to confirm everything is ready is always recommended.
One week before the moving day
Last-Minute Preparations
By now it is normal to be feeling a little panicked. However, if you have followed the guidelines above, it should all be a breeze! But there is still a lot to do. Below are the main points to focus on during the week running up to moving day:
Clothes Packing
Keeping aside only what you need for those last few days, now is the time to pack the remaining parts of your wardrobe
Settle Invoices
Moving day is hectic, so make sure that all necessary invoices are cleared ahead of time
Check your route
Make sure you know the route to your new home and your car or vehicle is ready for the journey
Check your packing materials
Inevitably, moving day will find you packing the remainder of your gear. Toiletries, bedding, clothing and kitchen gear are usually among the last-minute items. Make sure you have plenty of boxes and materials to finalise your packing
Cleaning and maintenance
throughout the week cleaning each room as it is emptied makes cleaning easy. Also, any last-minute repairs that are needed can be carried out
Check the weather forecast for the day of your move
Forearmed is forewarned! You may not be able to do anything about the weather on the day of your move. But at least if you know there is rain, or worse, forecasted you can take steps to account for it
Check with your utility companies
Make sure that all the utility companies are aware of the move
Moving Day!
The Big Move
Start by having an early night the night before! This will ensure you are fully rested and prepared for the day ahead. Among the items that should be on your list for moving day are:
- Make sure the removal company have the right address
- All cupboards, attic space, sheds, etc. are emptied
- Reading all utility meters as you leave
- You have the keys to your new property
- All last-minute items are packed and ready to go
- A final clean and look around – Once the moving company have removed all your belongings make sure each room is empty and even give them a final quick clean
And that’s it! Enjoy your new home without much of the associated stress and headaches of moving home.
Now let’s have a look at some of the finer details to consider when moving home.
How much does moving home cost?
This is difficult to quantify as there are many variables to consider. Each of these will have a bearing on the cost of moving home. Below is a list of factors that will affect the cost of the move, getting the right information for each of these will allow you to calculate the cost of your house move.
- The cost of the removal firm and any required insurance
- Van hire or travel costs
- Self-storage units if used
- Professional cleaning (if needed)
- Any new furniture or white goods required for your new home
- Utility cancellation, transferring, or connection fees
- Packaging and boxes
These cover the main expenses of a house move and knowing the cost of each will give you a “ballpark” figure of the costs.
Tip
Once you have the estimated costs of your move you can set a realistic budget and stick to it. This can stop costs from spiralling and becoming overwhelming
Who do I need to contact when I am moving home?
Making sure that you are aware of everyone who needs to be contacted is really important. Contact them in plenty of time to allow you to account for clumsy administrative processes (see number 3 – Six weeks before moving day for details)
Moving House Address Change Checklist
Who you need to contact depends on individual circumstances, but the most common are all included in the following checklist:
Local Council
Utilities
Financial Institutions
Insurance Providers
Subscriptions and Memberships
Government Agencies
Healthcare Providers
Schools and Educational Institutions
Post Office
Friends and Family
To further help you we have created a PDF form that lists the common organisations and companies you should contact, with some blanks for other relevant organisations. You can download it from here – Useful Moving House Form.
Additional Moving House Advice
Hopefully, the above advice will allow you to enjoy the process of moving house without too much of the associated stress. But just in case you’re still feeling a bit on edge, we have included some more advice and tips to help you enjoy your new home.
Additional Packing Tips
Ah, packing, how we all love it! Well, that probably isn’t strictly true. So, to help you prepare for your move our storage and removal experts have compiled a list of essential packing tips. These are useful for everyone, but if you have to pack in a hurry then these make essential reading!
1. The oldest trick in the book, but it works… make a list!
Lists are essential, especially if you are likely to forget to do certain things, and let’s face it when it comes to moving with so much to remember and do we are all susceptible to that. Lists need to be made on a room-by-room basis, so start scouring the house and decide what items you want to keep, donate, and discard. Also, jot down all of your requirements such as packing boxes and materials, hiring removals, notifying energy and network subscription services, as well as all of those whom you need to notify of the change of address.
2. Start your days early until you move!
Time is not on your side right now, so the more daytime you can fit into your life the better. You need to make the most of every minute, so set the alarm to get up bright and early. Early starts, enable more time to tackle all of those needy jobs, and it won’t feel as rushed plus it’s also better for packing as you certainly don’t want to be throwing items into boxes last minute in case things get damaged or broken during transit.
3. Start collecting your packing items!
Now’s the time to collect everything you need to pack up your home, you will need, assorted boxes (different sizes), tape, paper, bubble wrap, marker pens, labels, and cutters. Start collecting early so that you have time to get more if you happen to run out.
4. Pack room by room!
It’s overwhelming there is no doubt about that, and most likely, you are sitting there with absolutely no idea where to start. We get it! So to simplify the mission and for it not to feel too much to handle, focus on one room at a time and only move on to the next once that room is complete. To keep motivation alive, it’s always recommended to start big first, so focus on lounges, kitchens, and master bedrooms before tackling the smaller spaces.
5. Don’t waste any space, think productively!
Save your boxes for all items that are non-fabric-related because fabric items such as clothing, curtains, cushions, blankets, duvets, sheets, etc. can be packed into bags. If any large items could be effectively used to pack the smaller items, use them! To make it even quicker, simply leave clothes on their hangers as it saves time at the other end when you come to unpack, lay items flat cover them in bin liners, and pop in the boot of the car.
6. Pack safe and secure!
Never leave space in the boxes that could allow items to move around during transit as it could damage things. When packing into boxes, be sure to use packing paper to wrap anything breakable and stuff the gaps with bubble wrap or paper to keep all the items secure.
7. Label everything!
Labelling all of your packed boxes is vital; otherwise, you end up with the mammoth task of having to sift through them all at the new home, just to find the items you need. Packing also helps with removals since you can request for the boxes to be moved into their rightful rooms, and don’t forget to clearly label anything that is fragile so that it gets handled with extra care.
8. Get as many helping hands as you can!
There is no doubt about it; more hands make for lighter work, so if you can get people on board to help you out, it will undoubtedly pay off. Moving with friends and family makes the time more joyous. It’s generally less stressful and often full of laughs, especially when mishaps. It also enables last-minute quality time, especially if the move is much further away.
Moving House: Utility Bills
We touched on this earlier in the guide, however, this is one of the areas where stress levels can be swiftly elevated by a potent mixture of red tape, infuriating call centres and the urgency of ensuring uninterrupted services. All of which can cause a few headaches!
Here are some essential moving house tips for dealing with utility companies:
Notify Utility Providers
Contact your electricity, gas, water, and broadband providers well in advance of your move to inform them of your relocation. Provide them with your moving date and new address to arrange for the transfer or disconnection of services.
Schedule Disconnections or Transfers
Determine whether you need to disconnect services at your current address or transfer them to your new address. Schedule these changes to coincide with your moving date to avoid any service disruption.
Final Meter Readings
Arrange for final meter readings for your electricity, gas, and water meters at your old property. This ensures accurate billing and prevents you from being charged for usage after you’ve moved out.
Settle Outstanding Bills
Before vacating your current property, settle any outstanding bills with your utility providers. This includes paying any remaining balances and ensuring all accounts are up to date to avoid late fees or penalties.
Update Contact Information
Provide your utility providers with your new contact information, including your new address and contact numbers.
Arrange for New Services
If you’re moving to a location where utilities are not included or need to be set up independently, research and arrange for new services in advance.
Dealing with utility companies can be one of the great stress elevators when moving home. Allow yourself plenty of time and be proactive when dealing with them, remember to get the names of anyone you contact and keep a paper trail of all communications.
Moving House Abroad
We touched on this earlier in the guide, however, this is one of the areas where stress levels can be swiftly elevated by a potent mixture of red tape, infuriating call centres and the urgency of ensuring uninterrupted services. All of which can cause a few headaches!
Here are some essential moving house tips for dealing with utility companies:
Research Visa and Immigration Requirements
Begin by researching the visa and immigration requirements for your destination country. Ensure you understand the necessary documentation and any restrictions or regulations that may apply to your move, the last thing you need is to be stopped at the border. That is certainly not good for stress levels!
Organise Important Documents
Gather and organise all essential documents, including passports, visas, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, and academic transcripts. Make copies of these documents and store them securely, both physically and digitally.
Pack Strategically
When packing for an international move, prioritize essential items and consider the climate and lifestyle in your destination country. Pack efficiently to minimise excess baggage fees and consider using self-storage facilities for items you won’t immediately need upon arrival.
Transportation Logistics
Plan your transportation logistics for both getting to your destination country and navigating within it. Research local transportation options, driving regulations, and vehicle importation procedures if you plan to bring a vehicle.
Utilise Self-Storage
Consider using self-storage facilities to store belongings that you won’t be taking with you immediately or that you’re unsure about. Self-storage provides a secure and convenient solution for temporarily storing items during your transition period.
Cultural Preparation
Familiarise yourself with the culture, customs, and language of your destination country to ease your adjustment and integration. Learn basic phrases in the local language and research cultural norms to navigate social interactions more effectively.
Stay Organised and Flexible
Maintain a detailed moving checklist and timeline to stay organised throughout the process. Be prepared for unexpected challenges and changes, and remain flexible in your plans to adapt to new circumstances.
Moving house abroad is an amazing experience, but it’s certainly more challenging. However, with some due diligence and forethought, you can enjoy the adventure of living in a new country without too much stress!
What Is the Best Day to Move House?
There is a “best day to move house superstition” that says you shouldn’t move house on a Friday or Saturday as it is believed you won’t then be able to settle in your new home. If you’re truly superstitious then by all means avoid these days. However, it probably isn’t a surprise to discover that these days are among the most popular to move house. The reason for this is fairly obvious, it allows you the bulk of the weekend to get settled without having to take extra time off work, but some other considerations can help you choose the best day to move house:
Weekday Availability
Traffic and Accessibility
Utility Connections
Childcare and Pet Care
Work Commitments
Weather Conditions
Contractual Agreements
Personal Preferences
By considering these points, you can make an informed choice that sets the stage for a successful and stress-free move.
3 Tips For Moving Into Your First Place
If you are moving into your first place – then first of all congratulations – here are three tips to help you get settled into your first home!
1. Save Smartly
There’s no doubt about it, moving out is far from cheap. There’s a litany of things to take into account, including the initial deposit, monthly house rent, utility bills & general living costs to take into consideration.
That’s why it’s always best to prepare ahead in the months preceding your move. Aim to put aside as much spare cash as you can each week in a savings account. Map out a budget plan each week and cut out the non-necessities.
2. Get Thrifty
When working off a selected budget, it’s not the wisest idea to start outlaying a fortune on expensive accessories & furniture. When moving into independence, it pays to shop around both offline and online and search for bargains.
There are many online forums where people can buy or swap household items such as furniture, kitchen accessories and electrical goods. Keep an eye out for seasonal and liquidation sales also, where you can purchase items for more than half of their usual retail price
3. Choose Your Location Wisely
One of the most important decisions in choosing new surroundings is choosing a location that is accessible and financially viable.
Lettings in a city or town centre generally tend to command higher rates than in the adjoining suburbs, so it’s best to look further afield. Also, consider local amenities, shopping locations and transportation options if commuting.
Moving Home: Tips For Managing the Stress
Okay, so a running theme in this guide is that stress and moving house seem to go hand in hand. By following the steps and advice in the guide you can avoid most of the stress points and while we can’t guarantee your move will be stress-free, your road to your new home will be undoubtedly smoother.
To help further, here we cover a few of the main takeaways from the guide that can specifically target those stress points and make the whole process less daunting and stressful:
Keep a checklist
It’s really important to create a moving house checklist. Take that weight off your shoulders, out of your head and put it on paper instead, it’s surprising what a remarkable difference that makes as you cannot simply remember it all when it comes to removals and what is involved. Checklists help you to manage stress by breaking it down into easily manageable tasks, there is nothing better than the satisfaction of ticking those jobs off the list once completed.
De-clutter
Make life easier by removing the clutter you’ve obtained over the years before you make the move. There is no point in taking all of your stuff with you if you no longer need any of it, so declutter now or pop it all inside a storage unit until you decide what to do with it.
Start well in advance
Don’t leave it all to the last minute, start early and do some things now. Decluttering, researching and packing can all be done slowly in advance, helping to reduce the stress once the big day arrives.
Accept help when offered
Don’t be stubborn into thinking that you can do all of this on your own, yes you probably can but if help is offered, take it! When people move house, they usually have family and friends offering to chip in to reduce the load. Take them up on their offers if they want to help with packing and removals, you can always repay the favour later on, or reward their hard work with some lunch and a drink in the new house.
Self-Storage: The Perfect Moving Home Stress-Buster
Moving home is always a juggling act and requires thinking about a dozen or more things all at the same time. One stress-busting solution that can help out in a range of circumstances is a self-storage unit.
This is particularly useful in circumstances like having to vacate your old home before your new home is ready – a stressful situation if ever there was one! But it can also be useful in a host of other circumstances, Including:
- Downsizing
- Moving abroad
- Renovations in your new home
- Decluttering
- Simply to ease the moving-in process
Storing Your Belongings: How and Where?
If you haven’t used a self-storage unit before, this is the perfect opportunity to try one out. Our storage units are not only extremely convenient, but they are also a very cost-effective solution. You can book a self-storage unit for as long (or short) as you want, and there are many options regarding the size.
Determining How Much Space You Need
It might be hard to determine how much space you need to store all of your furniture, clothes, etc. Luckily, you don’t have to figure out everything on your own. These storage unit sizes can help you determine which one works best for you:
Your Storage Provider — What You Need to Pay Attention to
Once you decide to store your belongings with a third party, you need to make sure that you are satisfied with all the conditions. Your belongings should be safe and secure at all times. Moreover, you should be able to access your items whenever you need to. Lastly, storage options should suit all of your needs.
Here at U Store It, our Self Storage service provides you with the following:
- Flexible terms, as well as the option to extend your stay, if needed. That is perfect for those who don’t have a pre-set move-in date.
- A 24-hour security system which includes individually alarmed units. That is vital for keeping your possessions safe at all times.
- Non-stop and exclusive access to your unit; only you should have the key and the access code to your belongings.
- A personal and customer-oriented on-site staff which can answer all of your questions.
Moving Your Things into a Unit
When it comes to packing, having a good plan can save you a lot of work and energy. It’s best to start by placing your largest items first: put beds, couches, tables, and appliances in before anything else and place them in the back of the unit. Chances are that you won’t need these items until you move to your new home, so it makes sense to keep them in the back where they won’t get in the way.
Using the same logic, put the items that you might need closer to the unit’s door. Those might be some clothes or documents — something that you are probably going to need before you complete the move. If you have enough space, it’s also smart to leave an aisle in the centre — that will provide easy access to all of your belongings.
Once you store all of your things in a safe place, you can focus on getting into your new home as soon as possible. When the time comes to move into your new home, all of your stored belongings will be ready to be placed in their final destination.
U Store IT – Your perfect moving day partner
We hope this guide helps you to create the perfect moving day checklist. Moving day can be more about the excitement of the move and less about the stress if you plan carefully and leave yourself a little breathing space by beginning early.
If you need any storage space to help make your move go easier, then U Store IT can help. With facilities throughout Ireland, and unit sizes to meet all needs, we can help to streamline the complexities of moving home. Whether you need a unit for two weeks, six months, or longer, we can tailor a storage unit exactly to your needs.
Why not contact us today to find out more about how a self-storage unit can help when moving home?
