Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful things that people do in their lifetimes and if you have done it before, you may tend to agree!
However, being organised and having a plan can help ease the stress of moving day.
Our Property Law experts at Lamb Brooks share some practical tips for the first things you should do when moving into a new home to help you navigate a manic moving day.
1. Have an Essentials Box
Pack a box that is labelled or easily identified as your ‘essentials box’ it should be packed last onto your moving van or ideally kept with you in a car to contain some emergency supplies and essentials that you might need to have to hand throughout your moving day. Everyone’s ‘essentials box’ may be different. But some ideas of what to include are;
- Medication / prescriptions / inhalers
- Paracetamol / allergy tablets
- Plasters or a small first aid kit
- Phone chargers / power packs
- Chargers for children’s games / devices
- Cash / bank cards
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Kettle / tea / coffee / sugar / milk
- Paperwork relating to your move
- Radio
- Toilet Rolls
- Some cleaning products
- Wet wipes
- Torch / matches
- Basic tools – such as an Allen key and screwdriver
2. Do a Walk-through and Inventory Check
Before unloading anything, do a check of the property inside and out. It is likely to be the first time you have seen the property empty of furnishings (unless you have brought a brand new or unoccupied property) so it is an opportunity to make sure no damage, cracks, mould or nasty surprises were lurking behind furniture. If you had any appliances, fixtures or fittings included in your purchase then make sure they are there and in good, working condition. If you find any issues, take photos, and document any concerns so that these can be addressed.
3. Overnight Bags
Depending on how far away you are moving or if you end up unpacking late in the day, it is a good idea to have an overnight bag packed for everyone to include PJs, a change of clothes and some toiletries. This way if you end up delayed on the day or have any issues, you can crash without having to riffle through various boxes and suitcases.
4. Build and Make Your Beds
One of the first pieces of furniture you should put together once you have moved is your beds. Whilst you might be tempted to get the downstairs sorted first, if you get your beds ready it will save a lot of stress later on in the day when you are tired and just want to get some sleep! The alternative might be to have your mattresses made up with sheets and duvets ready.
5. Protect Floors
There is bound to be a lot of traffic in and out of your property whilst unloading. If you have new carpets or nice floors that you want to protect, make sure you lay down some sheets or mats in the high traffic areas. Taking shoes on and off it not always practical, so if the weather is poor, make sure you are protecting walkways.
If you have young children or pets, you might want to address their safety first before they arrive, especially as you may be distracted by unpacking and putting together furniture. Make sure safety gates or stairgates are fitted, cover plug sockets and fireplaces, ensure any tools or dangerous objects are out of reach, make sure doors and windows are locked and that the garden is made secure.
7. Take Your Meter Readings
This is important - particularly given the cost of energy bills at the moment. It will help to transfer your utility accounts to your new home or set up with new providers. Take them before you forget in order to get an accurate first bill.
8. Clean Everywhere
Before you start unloading and unpacking, it would be a good idea to give your new home a clean. Ideally the people moving out will have left it in a clean and respectable condition, but knowing how manic moving can be, it is best to give everything a once over – particularly bathrooms and kitchens.
9. Check Your Insurance
Make sure your home and contents insurance is set up correctly so that your new home, furniture, electronics and valuables are protected from the start.
10. Order a Takeaway
Trying to cook a meal on your first evening in your new home is a nightmare. Even if you pack up your old kitchen meticulously, there will always be a pan or utensil that you cannot find. Often people will avoid filling up their old fridge and freezer so there is less to move to a new home and a food shop isn’t something you want to be doing on your moving day. Opt for a takeaway as a treat instead and to save even more hassle – choose something that doesn’t require plates to save on washing up for an extra win!
Basingstoke’s Property Solicitors
Lamb Brooks Solicitors have been helping people in North Hampshire with their legal affairs for over 240 years. We have a large, trusted Property Law Team who help people with all aspects of Property Law. From first-time-buyers using a help to buy scheme, to a family moving home, a landlord purchasing a new investment to families transferring equity between family members.
If you are in need of legal advice relating to your home or are looking to move house and need a competitive quote for the conveyancing, then please get in touch with our experienced and friendly Residential Property Team today.
Call us on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our online chat assistant at any time of day.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.