Moving house tips and advice
 

I'm moving house next month.



Please share any tips and advice you may have from when you have moved house.
Moving with small children is going to be hectic and I'm trying to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.


My last house was our first house and bought directly from new so not done a proper move before.


Any tips or advice, please go ahead and share..


thankyou.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

There are many todo lists online. Some are pretty good.

https://www.reallymoving.com/help-an...ouse-checklist

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/mortgag...home-checklist

But number one priority should be keeping tags on the kids and their favourite toys.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

If you want your post redirected (which costs an arm and a leg) get it set up at the Post Office (or possibly online these days) at least week in advance as it does not happen straight away.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Name the the boxes and then when you get to the house stick a post note on each door with the box name :- example bedroom 1, garage etc this way you or the removal men can just look at the name on the box and stick it in the right room.

Pack a small box for the kitchen and put it your car that way you know where the kettle, mugs, tea bags etc are then you can stop and have a cuppa without looking through all the boxes.

Make up beds in bedroom asap that way when you have had enough at least you can go to bed.

Put important documents e.g birth certificates, marriage license, bank books etc in a overnight bag and don't let it out your sight.

Good luck with your house move :)

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Tell your bank etc in good time. Remember to change your address on your driving licence which I think is free online. It is illegal to have an incorrect address but also it serves as proof of identity . . . providing your details are correct.

Some utility companies continue to charge you at your old address unless you give them at least two weeks notice of moving.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Make a list of everyone important you don't want writing to you at a wrong address, whether it's the taxman, insurance renewal, pension, bank, shares, dvla, doctor, dentist, credit cards, utilities etc etc

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Many thanks everyone. Some great advice here. :tu:

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

How young are the children? Either get someone to get them out of your way for part of the day or make the whole thing a nice big adventure for them or a mix of both.

Have a day one box with things you may want in first 24 hours. Maybe a set of plates, glasses, cups, toys etc if you aren't unpacking fully in one go. Have a takeaway and celebrate moving in.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Make sure the keys are handed over when you lock up and leave.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Remember where you live

When we moved house, the move was completed by wife & family due to me being at work (impossible to get the time off)

When I left work I was halfway back to the old house before I realised where I was going :D

true story

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Eldest is 5 and then 4 year old twins. They dont understand about it much so have planned for them to have a weekend at grandparents whilst we get on with moving, putting up beds, etc.

---------- Post added at 15:28 ---------- Previous post was at 15:27 ----------


Good point. We get into a routine and it is hard to break free from it sometimes.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Having them stay with grandparents is a good idea. When we moved house for the 2nd time our closest grandparents were away on holidays and believe me it was a nightmare moving with a toddler :mad:

We used a checklist which i thought was pretty good:
www.pinkstorage.co.uk/moving-home-checklist.html

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Have a bag with a kettle, teabags, coffee, mugs, spoons biscuits, so you can get the kettle on while you unpack.

Re: Moving house tips and advice
 

Thanks everyone. I can safely say we got through it and spent Christmas there.



Grandparents had the children over the weekend whilst we did trips backwards and forwards in the van.

Tip for everyone who is in a similar situation.... Remember to take meter readings before you leave. I nearly forgot and had to do it in the dark that evening.


Ended up sampling the local fish and chip shop and indian takeaway which kept us going whilst we waited for the fridge to settle and get food in.


Another tip...... Be prepared for a surprise and that the house doesnt look like it did on your visit when you viewed the property.
Owners will clean and make it look amazing to convince you to buy.

We arrived at the property and it was cold, grease and dust everywhere, and we spent most of the weekend cleaning.


Another thing.... Rugs and carpets had been strategically placed to avoid seeing stains.
We arrive and see the messy carpet.

Result: Having to go and get carpet ordered ASAP.

In a way it isnt a bad thing as we now have fresh new carpet but still, it adds to the expense of it all.


I ended up spending the last two days before the move getting my old house spotless, filling holes, painting, etc. I now realise I shouldn't have. Maybe its because I got it to how I'd expect to find a new home...But I see now that not everyone leaves houses how they should do.