Moving Home Advice

Man and Van Moving Home Advice

Moving House Tips & Advice

If your moving house, flat or a student just moving bags and boxes, from London to Manchester or where ever here’s a few tips to help things move more smoothly!

First things firstmoving advice

Weeks before the move, start using up perishables in your refrigerator and freezer and try to use up cleaning supplies. Also, start packing things that you won’t be needing in the next month.

Start selling or giving away household items or houseplants you’re not moving. You might want to plan a car boot sale or set aside items for charity. Or book our rubbish removal service for unwanted bulky items.

Take an inventory of everything you are moving.

Number and identify all your boxes; include the total number of boxes you have after you’ve finished. Packing by room will make unpacking easier once you arrive at your destination. Keep a list of the number and description of the contents in each box.

Pack a box of essential items you will need during and right after the trip. For example: first-aid kit, medicines, toiletries, coffee and coffee pot, small tool set, a can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans, and paper towels. Pack the box in the moving van or in your car last so it will be easy to get to.

The date: Book your removal as soon as you can confirm dates and times.
Let’s face it. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting to pack one’s life into a bunch of boxes and move to a new place – even if it is only streets away. That’s why it helps to do some careful planning to make things go smoothly before, during and after the big move…
First to get started:
  • Weeks before the move, start using up perishables in your refrigerator and freezer and try to use up cleaning supplies. Also, start packing things that you won’t be needing in the next month.
  • Start selling or giving away household items or houseplants you’re not moving. You might want to plan a car boot sale or set aside items for charity.
  • Take an inventory of everything you are moving.
  • Number and identify all your boxes; include the total number of boxes you have after you’ve finished. Packing by room will make unpacking easier once you arrive at your destination. Keep a list of the number and description of the contents in each box.
  • Pack a box of essential items you will need during and right after the trip. For example: first-aid kit, medicines, toiletries, coffee and coffee pot, small tool set, a can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans, and paper towels. Pack the box in the moving van or in your car last so it will be easy to get to.
A fortnight to go:
  • Confirm all arrangements, times etc for meter readings, disconnections and reconnections.
  • Make sure you have a good stock of packing materials, sturdy boxes, string and sticky tape.
  • Begin to throw out unwanted items from attics and wardrobes. Throw away what you really don’t want, or send to your local charity shop.
One week to go:
  • Cancel and pay up accounts for routine delivery services such as mail, papers etc. Reorganise these deliveries for your new address.
  • Defrost refrigerators in preparation for the move and if you are moving a freezer and contents, turn it up to maximum for a couple of days before you move.
  • If you have pets you should consider what is to happen to them on the day of removal.
  • If you have young children it would be advisable to look for baby sitters while the move is taking place
  • It’s easier if you can get your decorating and carpet fitting done in advance where possible.
One day to go:
  • Complete your packing except for those items you are likely to need overnight, and arrange a picnic on the moving day.
  • Have a large enough cash float available to deal with unexpected expenses, tips etc and ensure you have collected the documents and valuables together in a safe place.
  • Pack small valuables separately and leave with “essentials” pile.
  • If you need to use an elevator or if parking spaces are a problem ensure that you get these organised

Moving day:

Flat Pack self assembly furniture this can be difficult! In theory you are supposed to be able to dismantle and re-assemble most self assembly furniture. In practice, it never goes together again so well and can’t be covered by insurance. You can move it complete but joints may loosen
  • Strip beds and pack bedding and nightclothes.
  • Pack items for washing/toiletries.
  • Take down curtains.
  • Take up rugs, carpets, floor coverings etc not included in the sale
  • Dismantle any light fittings, etc not included in sale.
  • Turn off electric appliances.
  • Disconnect cooker.
  • Turn off boiler/central heating.
  • Turn off water.
  • Read gas meter.
  • Read electricity meter.
  • Secure all windows.
  • Lock all doors.
  • Leave key as arranged for new owners eg with estate agent.
  • Exchange contact numbers and agree meeting time with removal men

After arrival

When the removals arrive at your new home or apartment, make sure that the furniture and boxes are placed in the right rooms and that all your boxes have been delivered.
Don’t forget to give your new address to……
  • Banks
  • Insurance Companies
  • Telephone Company
  • Driving Licence Authorities
  • Store Cards and Accounts
  • Employer
  • Dentist
  • Newsagents
  • Family Benefit
  • Building Societies
  • Gas, Electricity, Water Boards
  • Local Authority
  • Inland Revenue
  • Doctor Schools
  • Motoring Organisations
  • Friends and Relatives
  • Post Office
  • Paper shop

Unloaded

At this point you’ll probably feel the urge to tackle everything at once. You don’t have to unpack everything in one day – or even in one week. Start by unloading the van and placing boxes and furniture in their designated rooms. Wonder where to start unpacking? Plan on taking things one room at a time, starting with the kitchen. Set up the microwave and coffeemaker and stock the fridge with easy-to-prepare meals. Once your basic kitchen items are in order, you can focus on other areas of the house knowing that you have somewhere to go for a cup of coffee or a quick snack. Next focus on the bathrooms. Make toiletries and paper accessible and pull out a few towels. Once your new kitchen and baths are functioning, you can focus on the rest of the house at a more relaxed pace. Where you go from here is a matter of personal preference – take your time!
Finally you can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to ensure that your move goes off without a hitch. Feel free to contact us at any time if you need further advice related to the move. On the day stay cool, calm and collected and your move will be completed with the minimum of fuss and stress – Moving advice

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Booking Advice

How to get the most from your Man and Van, When booking your move certain factors should be taken into account to keep costs down and avoid problems read our advice pages. A few hints and tips to make your move easier, stairs can often increase the price of your man with a van so if possible and physically able have everything down stairs and ready to go. If your not able do not worry we have the manpower.