Did you know that most people move a total of eight times in their lifetime? All of that moving is sure to come with plenty of preparation (we hope), but during a time that is just as exciting as it is stressful, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. With this in mind, it’s always useful to create your own moving checklist beforehand, being sure to cover all bases so that you can relax in your new home on the big day. To give you a helping hand, we’ll be sharing our top tips for moving house, so that you can dedicate more of your energy into the fun parts.  

Security in your new home

You’ll want to make sure that your new home is as safe and secure as possible before settling in. Prior to moving we’re sure you’ve been scouring the best properties on the market that are not only aesthetically-pleasing, but well protected. If you’re quite early in the searching process, but are still very much set on moving, we would advise you to look for houses that have a driveway gate. Alongside increasing the value of your home, they can be installed with gate access control for optimum security, enhancing the privacy of your space. Gate automation is a smart idea too, because when moving day does arrive, you’ll be able to drive your load in to start unpacking without opening your driveway gate manually. Trust us, this will save you plenty of time. For more info on knowing what to look for when viewing a house, you can check out one of our previous blog posts. 

Lightening the load

Statistics have revealed that the average number of cardboard boxes required for a house move is a whopping 60; surely there must be some way to lighten the load? Before moving house, sort through your belongings to see what you don’t need anymore. You’ll be surprised at just how many items of clothing are collecting dust at the back of your wardrobe, so if there’s ever a time for a purge, it’s now. See if your friends and family would like any of your unwanted items, or alternatively, you could make donations to a charity. If you’re unsure what to do with certain things, consider using a short term storage solution. 

When to pack

Never leave packing until the last minute. Doing a little bit at a time will make the moving process much smoother, so try to leave no more than four weeks before the big day. Label your boxes as you go to avoid confusion, packing the unessentials first. To create a clear packing plan, give yourself a deadline so you know exactly how much time you need to spend, and you’ll be more motivated to get the job done. 

Essentials box

Leading on from our last point, label an essentials box. When you’ve moved into your new home, you’ll want to prop your feet up and enjoy that post-move brew. People will have different ideas about what they deem to be ‘essential’, but we definitely think a cuppa is one of them, so pack your teabags in here. This box should also include anything you’ll want to get your hands on immediately after moving, such as chargers, snacks, batteries and a screwdriver. 

Finding the best removal service

So, how will you go about moving your load? The removal service you decide to go with will ultimately depend on your budget and how much stuff you have to move, so broaden your options by getting at least three quotes to see which one is the most appealing. Remember, cheaper isn’t always best in this case.

If you don’t have much stuff to move, you could always rely on the help of a friend who has a car. If your driveway gate comes installed with a password, simply share this with them so that you can make separate trips. 

Make a room plan for your new home

Visualising what your new home could look like is one of the most exciting aspects of moving, so why not save yourself the hassle by making a floor plan? Decide which pieces of furniture you’d like to go where, which will make the unpacking process quicker and easier. 

We’re here to help transform your new house into a home, providing advice on the best driveway gates to suit your requirements. If you’re looking to optimise your home’s security, without compromising on aesthetics, get in touch today to find your perfect match.