Are you moving house? Do you need Self Storage? LoknBlog spotted this useful article…
There is so much to think of en route that sometimes you forget about the simple necessities once you move into your property.
Property Ladder presenter Sarah Beeny cites the number of people she has come across who forget light bulbs and find themselves on their first night in their new home scrabbling around in the dark.
Leave plenty of time to set up utilities in your new home. The moment you exchange is a good time to start as it can take longer than you think. If you rely on having a broadband connection from day one, then that too will take some pre-planning. Otherwise, you will find yourself becoming familiar with local internet cafes over the first few weeks.
If you are planning to buy new furniture, delivery times can be another surprise. Allow about three months from ordering a sofa in the shop to being able to sit on it in your living room.
If you want your remaining possessions to accompany you on your first night in the property too, arrange for a removal van well in advance. The cheaper options are to hire a van and do the removal yourself or hire a man with a van. But check on the insurance situation and prepare for some backbreaking work.
Otherwise, employ a specialist company, who will get the job done at a higher cost but far more quickly and efficiently. Get several quotes in writing – they will vary enormously – and make sure the company belongs to a recognised trade association such as the British Association of Removers.
You will soon release you have far too many possessions, so rather than drag items that haven’t seen the light of day for years to another property where they won’t be used either, have a good clear-out.
Also to be done about a month before you move, book electricity, gas, and water readings at your present home. Redirect your post for the first few months. Contact any tradesman you will need on moving day, to disconnect your gas cooker for example. And let everyone know your new address. Not just the fun people – friends and family – but your bank, car insurer, council tax department, mobile phone company, doctor, TV licensing department… There is a useful checklist to tick off on
A week before you move, if you are currently renting a property, confirm when the landlord will collect the keys, check your removal firm/van hire company is all prepared for moving day, contact your local council to suspend parking restrictions during your move, pay your local newspaper and milk bills and start giving the property you are leaving a thorough clean. Also, put together a box of essentials, including light bulbs, breakfast, and nightwear, to ease the transition on the first night.
On moving day, check you have cleared everything out of your previous property, locked and switched off everything necessary, and keep a copy of the last meter readings. At your new home, check that everything the previous owners agreed to leave has been left. Tell your solicitor if not.
Then resist the temptation to start unpacking and put your feet up. After all, you deserve it.
Posted in: Moving House