Few things are more daunting than moving house in London. The visions of frantically packing, overflowing boxes and a mad race on the big day are never far away. However, with a little careful planning and rigorous preparation, the arrival of your selected London removals firm can be a surprisingly easy and efficient affair. The trick is knowing what has to be done before they ever knock on your door. This comprehensive guide will take you through preparing Your London property for a stress-free moving day, making the move to your new home easy.
The road to a good moving day begins not a week before, but several weeks, if not months, prior. Once you’ve confirmed your moving date and engaged your London removals agency, the first thing you need to do is go on a massive decluttering expedition. It’s not just about freeing up space, it’s about minimising the volume of things you need to move, possibly saving on removals fees, and surely saving on packing time. Search every cupboard, drawer and nook of your London flat. No quarter. If it’s been a year since you’ve used it, or it’s not sentimental, think about donating, selling or responsibly disposing of it. Charity shops are always looking for good quality stuff in London and there are several internet platforms that make it easy to sell unwanted goods. This first purge will make the packing process much easier for your London removals staff or for you if you’re doing it yourself.
Once the decluttering is complete, it is time to pack. Some London removals companies can provide a full packing service, but many people choose to pack their belongings themselves, either to save money or to make sure certain items are packed in the way they want. If you are moving yourself, start packing non-essentials early. Books, out of season clothes, ornamental things, and rarely used kitchen equipment are good places to start. Purchase good quality packing supplies such as strong boxes of varying sizes, plenty of packing tape, bubble wrap for fragile objects and newsprint or packing paper. Label every box precisely with what’s in it and where it goes in your new London house. This seemingly tiny detail will prove helpful on unpacking and will be a great help to your London removals team in putting boxes in the right places, cutting down confusion and making the unloading process quicker. Think about having a ‘essentials’ box with everything you will need straight away when you arrive at your new residence, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, a few basic cleaning supplies, a kettle, cups and snacks. This box should be the final thing packed and labelled for easy access.
With a week or two to go until moving day, it’s time to start thinking about utility companies and administrative responsibilities. Let your power, gas, water and internet companies know your moving date. Organise your final meter readings and set up services at your new address in London. Redirect your mail well in advance. There is a dependable redirection service at the Post Office. Double check any special instructions they may have given you with regards to access, parking or fragile items with your selected London removals firm and confirm your moving date and time. If you have pets, make arrangements for their care on moving day. During the hustle and bustle of the London removals process, it’s often better for them to be with a friend, family member or a professional pet sitter avoiding stress and ensuring their safety.
The day before your London removals crew arrives is an important day to make last minute preparations. All packing should be done in an optimum manner. If you or your London removals company have agreed to disassemble any furniture, do so. This usually contains beds, big wardrobes and dining tables. Put all screws and fittings in properly marked bags and taped to the corresponding piece of furniture. Defrost your freezer and clear out your fridge. Make sure any perishable food is eaten, given away, or thrown away. Empty and clean all trash containers. If there are any goods that your London removals crew will not be able to take – such as dangerous materials, very costly jewellery, essential documents, or prescription prescriptions – collect these in a special box or bag that you will bring with you. This box of ‘personal carry’ items should stay with you during the move.
On the morning of the actual move, before your London removals team turns up, there are a few important things you need to take care of. Start by ensuring all walkways in your home are clear. Remove any rugs, mats or obstructions that could trip the removalists. If you have vulnerable flooring, consider covering it up with protective coverings, especially in high-traffic areas. It will safeguard your floor and show that you care about the safety and efficiency of your London removals crew.
Make sure all doors are clear, and especially your main door, so it can swing open wide. If there are any parking restrictions outside your London house, ensure this information is passed to the removals company in good time. Try to book a parking space just outside your property for their car. This can be especially hard in certain regions of London, so advance planning is vital. A clear path from the door to the removals van will speed up the loading process a great deal.
Have a final look round your London property before the staff arrives. Unplug all electrical appliances before you leave. If you have a washing machine, check it has been drained and the transit bolts refitted, if necessary. These little things can save precious time and avoid possible harm in shipment. Close all the windows tightly and ensure any outside sheds or outbuildings are vacant and ready for the staff to investigate.
Be there to greet your London removals company when they arrive. A quick walk through of your property pointing out items that are particularly delicate, not to be moved or areas of worry can be very helpful. If you are providing refreshments point out where the kettle and mugs are, this is a nice gesture and can help you create good connection. Be available to answer their enquiries and provide them direction. They may be specialists, but your expertise of your home and valuables is vital.
Think about putting together a modest ‘survival kit’ for yourself and any family members, containing crucial documents, phone chargers, snacks and drinks. Moving day may be lengthy and tiring, and having these basics at arm’s reach can save you from frantically looking for them in the middle of the commotion. Keep your personal carry box (with valuables and basics) close at hand all the time.
Try and stay out of the path of the London removals team loading your goods but ensure you are available. Don’t micromanage every thing being loaded. Trust their professionalism. Instead, just do a final once over of each room as you empty it out. Look in cabinets, drawers, behind beds, behind curtains. It’s amazing how often little things go overlooked in the hustle. Once you have cleared out a room take one last look and move on to the next.
Once the final item has been loaded into the London removals vehicle, make one final, thorough walk-through of your entire London house. Check every room, every cupboard, every outdoor place. Make sure all the windows are shut, all the lights are out, and all the taps are off. Take final meter readings for utilities and take photos as confirmation. Lock all doors and windows tight. Pass the keys to the appropriate person — the estate agent, landlord or new owner – and breathe a sigh of relief.
Taking the time and effort to get your London home ready for your removals crew is a wise investment, the fruits of which are a stress-free move and a smooth transition. Carefully clear out, pack in an orderly fashion, arrange utilities and do a last check – this means your London removals experts can execute their job in an efficient and effective way. Moving house in London does not have to be a disaster, with the appropriate planning it can be an organised and even pleasurable event setting you up perfectly for life in your new London home.