How To Plan A Stress-Free Move

This year we’ve seen more removal vans turn up at Downing Street than anyone can remember. Whether you’re the leader of the country or otherwise, everyone finds moving home a daunting experience, so we’ve put together a list of tips and suggestions to help make your move as stress-free as possible.

Declutter 

Packing up your worldly possessions is a huge task, so take a deep breath and take it one step at a time. The first thing you should consider is a declutter of your property. This can really help you focus on what you no longer need or use – and the less to pack, the better!

• Give yourself time. The benefit of a longer deadline is that you’ll feel less anxious about the decluttering process and you can really focus on what you want to keep.
• Take it one room at a time. Working on multiple rooms at any one time will leave you overwhelmed and you’ll probably feel like giving up early.
• Organise labelled boxes and bags. This will help you consider if you’re going to keep certain items, pass them on or dispose of them at your local recycling centre.
• Make a bit of extra cash. Selling possessions you no longer need - using online sites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Vinted - is a great way to boost your bank balance.

Self-packing versus using professionals

Whether you choose to pack everything up yourself or pay the professionals ultimately boils down to your budget and needs. With so much to consider, we’ve highlighted some of the pros and cons.

Advantages of self-packing:  

• Packing everything yourself will cost you virtually nothing – you may have to buy boxes, bubble wrap and parcel tape.
• You can pack as and when you have the time, whether that’s a lunchtime here and there or an entire weekend.
• You can pack in a way that makes sense to you, which will make unpacking easier when you get to your new home.

The disadvantages: 

• It takes up a huge amount of time, which could increase your stress levels, especially if you’re on a tight deadline.
• You’re more likely to accidentally damage some of your possessions as you may not know the safest wrapping techniques or have the best quality packing supplies.
• If something is damaged whilst packing, you’ll be held responsible and won’t be able to claim anything back on insurance.

Advantages of using professionals:

• They should be able to have your entire home boxed up in a few hours, saving you plenty of time and stress.
• Professional companies will be up-to-date with the best packing techniques and the company will supply all the packing materials.
• Your goods will be covered by the packing company or your own insurance company, should something get damaged in transit.

The disadvantages:

• You’ll have to budget for professional packers and the cost will depend on the size of the property you’re moving from, the distance you’re moving and if you’ll need help dismantling large items.
• You’ll be inviting strangers into your home to handle the full contents of your property.
• You’ll need time to find a good, reliable company. Get recommendations from friends and family, read lots of reviews beforehand and make sure you get several quotes to compare prices.

Driving yourself versus using a removal company 

Self-driving a van you’ve hired/borrowed between properties is a great way to keep costs down. It will also help to reduce the number of trips you’ll need to make, when compared to repeatedly packing up a car, which is especially helpful if you’re moving a long distance.

If you don’t have access to a van, you could use a removal company. They will pack the van quickly and efficiently, and will know the best way to safely move your possessions - especially if access is an issue at either end, or if you have heavy or bulky possessions.

Dealing with moving day 

When the big day rolls around, you’ll want to make things as easy as possible for yourself.

• In the weeks or days leading up to the move, start a checklist. Crossing things off one by one will leave you feeling confident you’ve got it all under control.
• If you have children or pets, you might want to consider getting someone to look after them on moving day.
• Have some basic cleaning supplies packed in a box that stays with you. Once all your possessions are in the moving van, you might spot a few areas that need a quick going over before you leave. It’s also helpful to have the supplies ready for your new home.
• Wear comfortable clothing and anything you’re happy to get mucky in!
• Moving house can use up all your energy – make sure you’ve prepared snacks and drinks.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged so you can keep in touch with the movers, or anyone else who’s helping you.
• Do a final walk through of your property to double-check you haven’t left anything behind.

Here at White & Brooks our aim is to make moving home an exciting experience and as straightforward as possible. If you’re thinking of selling up or buying in West Sussex, contact our expert team to discuss your requirements.