Moving home tips

We know everyone has their own way of tackling challenges like this. Maybe you start months in advance, or maybe you leave it till the last minute and cram it into the final two weeks. Whatever your style, our biggest tip for an easy move is organisation.

With lots to think about, it can seem overwhelming – there’s packing, hiring a removal company, where to put everything in your new home and how to tackle that drawer that hasn’t been looked at for a couple of years. So to help, we've put together a few helpful nuggets of wisdom to assist you on your moving journey.

Top tips

Start packing early

Don’t leave it all until the last minute. If you start early, there’s also more time to sort through all your belongings and sell or donate anything you don’t use any more. It can seem daunting, so break it down to one room at a time, and start with the nonessentials, like books and DVDs, the spare room or summer/winter clothes.

Colour coding

Using coloured post-its or tape is a great way to ensure all your boxes end up in the correct room at the other side. Use a marker pen to write what each box contains on its side. This is really handy when you need to find the toaster on your first morning.

Essentials box

Pack an essentials box to take with you on the day. Good things to include here are your kettle, tea and coffee, a few mugs, a loo roll and a tea towel. A handful of takeaway menus might come in handy over your first weekend, as would a packet of biscuits. Make a note of emergency contact numbers and the removals company information in case your phone runs low on battery. On that note – it’s a great place to pack your phone chargers so you can easily get to them when you arrive.

Important documents

If you don’t have one already, buy a file, and while packing, put any important documents such as marriage or birth certificates, insurance documents, passports and bills into it. Pack this into your essentials box so it doesn’t get lost along the way.

Make the bed

As soon as your beds have arrived and all the bedding has been unloaded from the truck, make them up. You’ll appreciate this when you all head to bed after your busy day and don’t have to wrestle with the duvet cover before you get in.

Explore your new area

Before you move, familiarise yourself with your new area. It will make the first weekend feel much less daunting - you’ll know where to go for a coffee break or a celebratory drink, and where to pick up milk for the first breakfast in your new home. If you have children, this is something they can get involved with and help them feel comfortable in their new environment. 

We wish you the best of luck with your move. Let us know if you pick up any other great tips along the way!