If you’re moving out for the first time, this blog post is for you. We know it can be pretty overwhelming, but don’t fear! In this post, we’ll be sharing our top tips on how to make your first home move as smooth as can be.
1. Declutter
If you’ve lived in your house for years, there’s a good chance you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. Before you go ahead and hire domestic removal companies to move your belongings, take some time to declutter. If you’re packing many things you don’t need, it’ll make your move much more difficult.
Gather all of your items together into piles. This way, you can see what you need to throw out, what you’ll be taking with you, and what you’ll be selling. Remember to check our moving guide to see if there are any limits to how much you can dispose of locally.
Donate items you no longer need to a local charity. If you have nice furniture or appliances you’re no longer using; you could sell them to a second-hand shop, or even online. You’ll make a bit of money, which could come in handy if you’re struggling financially.
2. Clean the Property
As you’re moving out, you’ll want to make sure you’ve left the property in good condition. This will allow the landlord to move in new, happy tenants.
Start by cleaning the property from top to bottom. This includes cleaning the fixtures, flooring and windows. Be sure to remove any rubbish from both inside and outside the property.
3. Hire a Skip
It’s likely you’ll have a lot of rubbish that needs taking away. If you hire a skip, you’ll save yourself the hassle of having to take your rubbish to the recycling centre yourself.
You’ll be able to fill your skip with all of your unwanted items. Once you’ve put your rubbish in the skip, the company that you hired it from will take it to the dump for you. This will ensure you don’t have to carry your rubbish to the recycling centre yourself, which could result in injury if you lift anything too heavy.
4. Have a Budget for the Unexpected
If you’ve never hired domestic removal firms before, you might find it useful to have a budget in place. This will help you to prepare for any unexpected costs.
Make sure you include ‘hidden costs’ in your budget. These costs might include hiring a van to get your belongings to the dump, caretaking costs and utilities.
5. Get Insurance
It’s a good idea to get insurance to ensure you’re protected in case your goods get damaged or stolen.
You’ll be able to insure all of your valuable belongings, including your furniture, electronics and appliances. This will mean you’ll receive compensation should any of your goods get damaged or stolen.
6. Choose the Right Removal Company
Finding a good firm to help you move is essential. Before you go ahead and book, make sure you’ve done plenty of research.
Read reviews from previous customers, so you can see how the company performs. You’ll also want to look at reliability, the cost of their services, and the time taken to move your belongings.
Getting a professional to help with your move may seem a little daunting at first, but it’ll help you relax. As well as this, expert help will ensure you get your belongings to your new address in one piece.
7. Disassemble Flat-Pack Furniture
It might be tempting to hire a van and load it up with all of your flat-pack furniture. However, this could be a mistake, as it could take longer than expected.
Instead, consider disassembling flat-pack furniture. You should be able to fit more items into the van if you do this, so you’ll have to hire a van for less time. Because you’ll be moving more quickly, you’ll also be able to get your belongings to your new home more quickly.
8. Make a List
You’ll want to note down any important dates. If you book a company to help you move, you’ll need to give them some notice. This can be up to a few weeks ahead of your moving date.
Before you go ahead and book, ask if you can get some sort of discount if you book in advance. This will save you money and get your moving date in your diary.
If you plan to move to a new flat in the same county, you should book your move around six weeks ahead of time. If you’re moving to a new area, you’ll need to book your removal firm at least 12 weeks ahead of time.
9. Consider Your Existing Furniture Levels
Many new tenants underestimate the amount of furniture they’ll need to live in their new place. Before you go ahead and book a moving company, consider the following factors:
How many rooms are in the new property? How long will it take to walk from room to room? How many bedrooms will have built-in wardrobes? Will there be a spare room for guests, or is it a spare room for storage? How much space is there for furniture?
If you’re moving to a new house or apartment, you’ll need to think about how much furniture you’ll need. Will you need a bed? Will you need a sofa? Will you need a bedside table?
If you’re moving to a smaller property, you may have to get rid of some of your belongings. You may also need to get rid of a few items if you’re moving to a larger property.
10. Take a Moment to Breathe
Relaxing is probably the last thing on your mind right now. After all, you have a lot of things to get done in a short amount of time. However, make sure you take a moment to relax.
Book a mini-break or go for a walk to clear your head. Take your mind off things and enjoy yourself for a couple of hours. You’ll be able to start your packing stress-free, which will help you to complete your moving preparations quickly.
Now You’re Ready to Move
If you’re moving out for the first time, don’t be afraid! Make sure you’ve prepared everything in advance.
Declutter your home, clean the property and hire a skip. The less you have to do, the easier it’ll be to make the move. You can also make a list, get insurance and review your finances.
Hire a skip today here at Enviro Skip Hire. We offer a wide range of skip sizes and aggregates throughout Staffordshire. Get in touch with us.
