20 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Moving Home

“If only I had known that before!” How many times have we said that to ourselves?

But because moving home for most of us is such a rare event, you have no need to know the ins and outs of home moving in any great detail. Until you do want to move home that is.

Broken down into three easy-to-navigate sections, here we have the answers to the top 20 things you must know before moving home.

5 Things I Wish I knew before Hiring a Removal Company

#1 You should get at least 3 Removal Company cost estimates

To give you a ballpark figure for your home move costs you will need to get some quotes. Ideally, you should seek 3-4 different estimates so that you can compare the removal company’s prices.

Must get: Easy and quick removal company cost estimates.

#2 An in-home removal survey is essential

So that a removal company can fully assess what you want moved, and therefore give you an accurate cost price, they will need to visit your home or do a video survey of what you are moving.

This also gives them an opportunity to make a moving day plan for any access issues there may be and to ask you any specific questions about your move.

Essentially this is also your opportunity to interview the removal company to see if they are the right company for you to hire.

Must read: Essential questions to ask your Removal Company. It is best to have a prepared list of questions to ask your removal company so we have created a list for you that you can adapt to your specific home moving needs.

#3 Removal Companies are not all the same

There is no licencing body in the UK to oversee the removal industry, and therefore the level of service you receive may differ wildly from removal company to removal company.

Some removal firms may belong to one of the removal trade bodies or associations which has benefits for you as the consumer, namely, if there is a problem that you cannot resolve directly with the removal company, they will act as arbitrators.

Members are also bound by a code of conduct and minimum trading and training standards.

The peace of mind that this gives you if moving overseas is particularly important.

You may also like to read: How to Compare Removal Companies. When considering which Removal Company to hire you should compare the companies like for like and we have created a guide on just this subject.

#4 Reviews are invaluable when choosing a good Removal Company

Independent and verified reviews will help you choose the right moving partner. They can be a great source of information and recommendation.

But not all reviews are trustworthy, so be sure to follow the advice offered in this guide regarding how to make removal company reviews work for you.

#5 There are some things your Removal Company cannot move

For health and safety reasons there are some items that removal companies are prohibited from transporting.

You should check with your removal company exactly what their list contains as this can vary from company to company.

However, the list will usually include:

• Dangerous materials which are corrosive, explosive, or inflammable
• Perishable foods
• Plants
• Animals
• Valuable items such as personal documents (marriage licenses, passports, insurance documents, birth certificates), cash, bank cards, keys, valuable stamp, coin collections, and jewelry.

You may also like to read: Things that a Removal Company Cannot Move. In this guide, we look at this subject in more depth.

Bonus Tip – Removal Company scams happen

The majority of removal companies are honest and trustworthy but scams do happen. An example of such a scam would be:

Coming in with a very low quote to get your business, then heaping extra charges on moving day upon you.

If one of the quotes you receive is particularly low, or penny for penny like another quote, alarm bells should be ringing.

Protect yourself from potential disaster by reading about how to avoid removal company scams. In this guide, we suggest potential red flags to look out for, signs that a removal company may not be all that they appear to be, and signs that a removal company is likely to be trustworthy.

Bonus reading: What to know about hiring a Removal Company for the First Time. In this guide, we answer all your questions about what to expect when hiring a removal company for the first time.

10 Things I Wish I Had Known About Moving Home

#1 Organisation and planning are essential for a smooth home move

There is so much to remember to do, so many aspects to every home move, no matter how big or small, that a home moving planner and calendar is an absolute necessity. This will help ensure that you do not forget any tasks that need doing and that you approach your home move in a logical sequence.

Must have: home moving timeline and planner. We have produced a comprehensive home moving checklist and calendar to ensure that you know what to do and when during your home move.

A change of address checklist will help you manage the list of people that you need to notify about your move.

#2 Decluttering is the most effective way of cutting removal costs

The process of getting rid of all your surplus items from around the home will reduce not only the packing time and the packing materials used but will save space on the removal van, all of which adds up to reduced removal costs.

The more ruthless you are about the decluttering process, the better.

Must read: The Epic Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move. In this guide, we take you room by room through the process of decluttering your things so that you only pay to move the things you really need and love.

#3 Packing is the worst part of moving home

Without a doubt, packing is the most tedious part of moving home. From working out how much packing material you need, to actually putting the item into the packing box.

Hiring a professional packing team can reduce the packing time by half and will ensure your belongings arrive at your new home intact. Usually, the cost involved is surprisingly low and represents great value for money.

Must read: Are Home Packing Services Worth the Cost? In this guide, we look at what professional packers do, whether it makes sense to hire professional packers, and whether they are worth the cost.

#4 There are packing mistakes to avoid

If you do choose to pack for your home move yourself there are mistakes that you can easily avoid.

• Start packing as soon after the decluttering process as possible
• Don’t underestimate the number of packing materials you will need
• Allow plenty of time for packing
• Don’t make the boxes too heavy
• Use small boxes for heavy stuff
• Use large boxes for light stuff
• Make sure you know how to pack things properly

You may also like to read: Top 10 Packing Mistakes to Avoid. In this guide, we look at the top 10 most common packing mistakes and how you can avoid making the same mistakes.

#5 Plastic Crates are a great alternative to cardboard for packing boxes

There is a cheap and eco-friendly alternative to cardboard boxes that also saves you packing time. What’s not to like?

Plastic crates or tote boxes can be rented by the week, will be collected after your move, require no construction or dismantling, and often work out cheaper than buying boxes.

Companies such as Crate Hire UK offer a nationwide service.

You may also like to read: Alternative packing materials. In this guide, we look at the subject of alternative packing materials in more depth including how you can use things commonly found at home to help reduce your packaging costs.

#6 Labelling boxes will make moving day and unpacking easier

Labelling your moving boxes correctly will ensure that the unloading team knows which boxes go into which rooms and when it comes to unpacking, the boxes to unpack first will be easier to identify.

Must read: How to Label Moving Boxes – An Easy and Foolproof Way. In this guide, we introduce you to a really simple but effective way to label moving boxes so that you know which are the important boxes to unpack first, which rooms they need to go into, and which boxes are not that important to unpack immediately.

#7 Making a packing inventory is a good idea

If you take the time to create a packing inventory it will be time well spent and is especially recommended for long-distance, multi-day home moves.

In the event of a box being misplaced or lost, you will be able to instantly identify that it is missing and what the contents are. This will help in the event of an insurance claim.

It will also help you when trying to find a specific item in a box if you do not intend to unpack all the boxes immediately.

Read this guide on how to make a packing inventory for more comprehensive instructions on how to create a packing inventory.

#8 You CAN move home quickly

In an ideal world, you would have at least 8 weeks to plan a home move. But if you have to move home quickly, fear not, there are time-saving tricks we can show you.

And the number one rule is not to skip the decluttering process.

Resist your natural urge just to grab anything and everything and throw it into the nearest box, this will just end in chaos.

So, declutter and then get organised, enlist help from a reputable removal company or friends, and then work through your plan.

This is an in-depth guide about how to move home quickly which you will find invaluable if you are moving on a tight timescale.

#9 An Open Me First box is vital

So that you have everything to hand that you may need on moving day and your first night in your new home you must pack an essentials moving box.

From snacks and drinks to vital medication, this box should stay with you and not in the removal van.

How to Pack an Open Me First Box is a guide to what to pack in this box.

#10 There is a right and a wrong way to pack things

Fragile and valuable items will require special attention when packing, clothing can be left on hangers and drawers, books should be packed spine down in small boxes, electronics require an organised approach to dismantling, and antiques require time to pack safely.

Because packing is such a complex yet important part of the home moving process we have created a whole library of packing tips for you.

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Moved Home

#1 Things can go wrong on moving day

Despite all your planning, and the skills of the removal team, things can still go wrong on moving day.

From bad weather, to delays in getting the keys to your new home, there are some things that are out of your control that may go wrong.

But in the guide Things That Can Go Wrong On Moving Day, we go through many of these scenarios and how you can avoid them, to make your moving day as stress-free as possible.

#2 There are ways to cope with the stress of moving home

Knowing what the signs of stress are, and how to relieve stress will help you cope with anything that moving day can throw at you.

From identifying stress, to practical tips on how to cope with stress, this guide to De-stressing after the Stress of Moving Day will help.

#3 Pets get stressed moving home too

Dogs especially need routine in their lives, even the smallest disruption to their daily timetable will stress them.

There are plenty of steps you can take to help your pets with the trauma of relocation, and in this guide to Moving Home with Cats and Dogs you will find some invaluable advice.

#4 There is a right and wrong way to unpack moving boxes

Just as you had a packing plan to move out, so will you need a plan for unpacking your moving boxes.

Approach this task in a logical and methodical manner and you will be settled into your new home in no time.

You may also like to read: How Not to Get Overwhelmed With Unpacking After a Home Move. From how to motivate yourself to get unpacked, to having an unpacking strategy, to how to not get overwhelmed with the whole unpacking process, you will find this guide invaluable.

#5 There are things to do after moving into a new home

Safety and comfort are the two priorities you need to attend to immediately you move into a new home.

From creating a fire evacuation plan to child-proofing your new home, your safety must take priority.

Changing all the external door locks and padlocks is essential, and for more top tips on what to do after moving into a new home see the guide below.

Essential Reading: Things to Do After Moving Into a New Home

Bonus Tip – There is lots of home moving advice available

So, of all the things you need to know about moving home, you should know that there is a wealth of knowledge and support available to you here in our home moving blog.

From getting the initial home removal cost estimates, to dealing with relocation depression and everything in between.

And if you do have a question we have not answered in any of our guides, leave a comment in the box below and we will do our best to answer it for you.