How to make Moving House Less Stressful: Top Tips

This will help you to keep the costs within your comfort zone and stop you from overspending. Also if you keep money aside that’s dedicated to your move, you can be sure that you won’t be caught out should there be any unforeseeable costs that crop up. For example, you may not have thought about putting your dog into boarding kennels to make the process easier and as the day gets closer, this idea might seem like a good solution in order to lessen the stress.

There are many things you can do in order to prepare for your move, refer to our How-To Timeline for a more detailed step-by-step run through. In summary, start by researching a cost effective, well-reviewed and reputable moving company. Next, perform a thorough spring clean and organise all of your important paperwork. Book your removal company so you can work towards a set moving day, sort all the packing materials you’ll need, inform all important people about your change of address (local council, utility providers, and postal companies) and empty your fridge and freezer. Later you will want to arrange time off work, pack, sort out children and pets, organise an important box that you will want to keep with you and do a last check over your home.  

Should you wish to pack your belongings yourself, there are some things to take into consideration before getting stuck in. These include:

Invest in good boxes – the last thing you want is for your items to fall out of the box and be damaged. Worn cardboard boxes can collapse from the bottom, which is why you want to ensure you invest in safe and rigid boxes.

Be careful of weight – too many books in one box can be incredibly heavy, so when packing heavy bits and pieces, remember to use smaller boxes and for lighter items such as cushions use larger boxes. Fill to a maximum weight of 20 kilograms and you will not only save your belongs from damage but you will save your back too!

Pack wisely – use padding materials when packing ornaments and pottery to prevent any damages along the way. Don’t overpack boxes and use heavy duty tape to keep each box well sealed. Also, always pack the heavy items at the bottom of a box and the lighter things at the top.

Label clearly – it may seem simple, but moving can be stressful and there comes a moment where we just want everything over and done with. However, dedicate boxes to their specific rooms – for example, all kitchen stuff should be labelled clearly – so when you go to unpack you know where to start.

Moving day survival kit – keep all important documentation with you in this box along with everything you’d need for the day such as phone chargers, wallet, keys, kettle, toilet roll, toothbrush and toothpaste etc.

If you need another pair of hands, turn to our friendly team here at Simon Long Removals; we offer professional packing services that can help you along.

No matter how much we plan and organise, there are bound to be a few bumps along the road. The most important thing is that you prepare for the times when something doesn’t go according to plan. Stay flexible, calm and go with the flow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether that’s from your family, friend or the removal team – more help allows for more breathing room.

Check out your new location, this will help you decide where to park and which entrance is the most accessible when moving boxes into your new home. You may want to consider placing blankets on the floor or cardboard to preserve your floor from any dirty shoes, scrapes or drops.

Moving home for both children and pets can be quite an emotional step for them. Explain to your children that they will be moving on to a new adventure, be honest with them and stay upbeat; this will make them more excited rather than upset about leaving their home behind. Leave their rooms until last and have them help pack, this way they will still feel at home and part of the process at the same time.

For pets, you should keep them comfortable in a locked room with food and water away from the hustle and bustle. Take them for a walk before jumping into the moving van or have some playtime before heading off. Once you get to your new house, unpack your pet’s luxuries first; give them water, food and their usual bed so they don’t feel so anxious.

Next unpack your children’s rooms; this will help them to settle in and once the initial nerves have subsided, they may want to sit with their pet or explore their new house together. Alternatively, you could leave your children with trusted relatives or friends, this way they need not be stressed about the moving process and simply look forward to exploring their new bedrooms.

A week before moving, place your plants in your garage; this will help them to dry out. Repot them into a plastic pot to save your ceramic pot during travel, should it chip or break. Keep them propped up in a cardboard box without the lid and use newspaper around the sides to keep your plants in place. You may wish to prune these plants, remove any dead stems and foliage to keep them healthy and compact during the move. Load your plants into the moving van last so they’re not out of their comfort zone for too long. Depending on how long the move is, you may want to consider propping open the window to allow the plants some fresh air. Once you’ve reached your destination, place your plants in a similar location to where they were in your previous home, give them a good watering and allow to acclimatise.

We understand how stressful and busy you are when you decide to move, which is why many customers take advantage of our professional and respectful packing services. If you’re in need of a hand to make the process just that little bit easier, please feel free to get in touch and we’ll schedule you in at a time that best suits you.