Moving Tips and Advice

Everyone knows that moving home or office can be extremely harrowing and is rated, along with Divorce and Death, as being in the top five most stressful experiences.

No matter whether you are moving across town, around the world or just next door, this is the start of a new beginning and making sure that everything goes well is paramount to whether you enjoy your experience or not.

Unfortunately, problems can occur which are caused by outside influences such as late completion, delays with the exchange of contracts, or even simply by people being away on holiday!

These kinds of setbacks can be tackled by having better communication between you, the customer, your Estate Agent, Solicitor and especially with the vendor or purchaser. By making sure that all parties involved know what's going on, you could avoid many of today's moving hassles.

At Moving etc..., we strongly advise that you make sure that the period between your exchange of contracts and the completion date is as long as possible. AT LEAST TWO TO THREE WEEKS, if achievable. This is so that you can give plenty of notice to all parties concerned.

After all, you don't want to exchange contracts just a few days before your move, only to find out that your removal company is fully booked!

However, many people still think that booking a removal company is like booking a taxi - Quick and easy.

Because, what some people don't realise is that removal companies can be fully booked for days and weeks in advance.

One major piece of advice that we give is to make sure that you get quotes from Removal or Shipping companies as early as possible. If you are moving Overseas then you will need to contact them at least two months in advance. However, if you are only moving locally, we still advise that you contact them at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your proposed move date so that you are more likely to be prepared for short notice completions. Also, the removal companies will be more patient and understanding of your situation.

This is also a good idea so that you know exactly how much your removal is going to cost, well in advance. Moving with a professional company may be less hassle, but it can also be expensive. So Be Prepared!

To make life easier for everyone concerned and to avoid as many problems as possible, use our unique Move Manager to make your move as well-organized and as smooth as can be.

Packing Advice

If you are not going to employ a professional removal company to pack for you, then the best thing you can do when organising any house move is to start packing early.

Please don't under-estimate how long it will take you. One of the worst things that can happen is for the removal company to turn up and you are not ready. They may well charge you more if they have to help!

Following is a list of packing tips written by the experts themselves, so that you can avoid any mishaps on your big day.

Items you will need to keep Handy

Before we tell you how to pack, there are a few items that you will need to keep out, either whilst you are packing or during your Moving Day.

Scissors and Marker Pens
It is very important that when you are packing you know what is inside each box! We suggest that you try to label the boxes according to the rooms that they are going to as opposed to the room that they have come from. This helps to make the delivery much more organised and stress free. After all, if your new property has a different layout than your old one, it is very hard to keep up with two or three Removal Men all asking where their boxes are to be delivered to once you get to your new home!

Kettle, Mugs and Teabags
It sounds a bit cheeky, but Moving is Thirsty Work! Removal Men get very Dehydrated due to the fact that their job is so physical. They need to replace the liquid that they loose during the day and the best way of doing this is by drinking lots of Tea.

Cleaning Equipment
Make sure that the last things to be packed are the Hoover, Cleaning cloths, Polish and Duster. No matter how clean your house is, you will be amazed at how dirty it can be after a house move. Moving furniture that has been in place for years can leave dirty marks on the floor that even the cleanest person didn't know was there!

Bedrooms

Beds
Make sure that all beds are dismantled and the pieces labelled and tied together so that you know how it goes back together at the new property. Keep the allen key handy if you need this to put it back together. You will need to pack any bed linen in the drawers so that the bed can be manoeuvred easily.

Chest of Drawers
Some companies don't mind if you leave the drawers full during the move. However, this will depend on how large and sturdy the chest of drawers is, the access out of the house and what kind of move you are having. For example, if you are moving overseas you will need to empty all drawers and cupboards so that the removal crew can make a full inventory of your items. Also, smaller, loose items should always be covered over to make sure that they don't get damaged or fall out all over the floor! Please check with your removal company beforehand.

Hanging Clothes
Many Removal companies provide "Hanging Wardrobe" Cartons or Rails for hanging clothes, so there is no need to iron everything after your move. However, if you are moving overseas, then they may advise against using these so that you don't add extra volume to your shipment. If this is the case, your clothes should be packed into long thin cartons to avoid as many creases as possible. After all, they may be in there some time!

Chests and Trunks
Bedroom Chests are perfect for keeping light weight items in whilst moving. However, please make sure that you do not over fill them and that you can move them fairly easily. After all, you don't want your removal man to break his back halfway through your move!

Jewellery, Money and Bonds
Even if you only possess Costume Jewellery, we advise that you should either, lock it away in a Jewellery Box or keep it with you whilst you are moving. And No, this is not because we don't trust the staff that work for Removal Companies! It is because, apart from the fact that these items are small and valuable, they can easily get lost and most Insurance Companies do not insure Jewellery unless especially listed seperately. Plain and Simple!
The same goes with Money, Bonds, Stocks, Shares and any other item of great value. If you do have very valuable items, please discuss this at length with your Movers because they will then be able to advise their Insurers so that theyare covered on their policy.

Lounge/Dining Room

Televisions
Although big and bulky, Televisions are obviously fairly delicate so if you have the original packaging, that's great! If you have a large TV over 28 inches this may need more than two men to carry it, so please advise your Movers beforehand. Also, it sounds obvious, but make sure you know how to wire up your TV, DVD, Video Recorder and cable, and make sure that you keep all the wires together.

Bookcases and Cabinets
All cupboards will have to be emptied and any glass shelving taken out and wrapped up. Books will need to be packed into small boxes so that they can be lifted easier. Ask your Movers for proper book cartons as they are especially strong and durable. Please DO NOT pack books into big boxes. If you can't lift them, then the removal men will struggle too!

Shelves
Make sure that if it is being moved then any shelving must be off the wall, and tied up together, unless otherwise agreed. Removal men do not always carry tools with them, so if you would like the company to do any jobs like this, please discuss it before the men arrive. Also, please note, that although they may take it off the wall, it is not always in the contract to fix it on to the walls at destination. If you would like this done, then please talk to them about their "Handyman" services.

Cupboards
Some Removal Companies recommend that you tape keys to the inside of the cupboard or drawer. However, in our experience, it is always good to label keys for the corresponding cupboard and then keep them together in a small bag that safely remains with you. The worst thing that could happen is that you loose the key and have to replace the lock. Especially if it is an antique piece of furniture!

Satelite Receivers
If you are planning on taking this with you then you will either need to take it down yourself or call your Satelite Contractor to take it down for you. Don't forget to tell them that you are moving so that they can set you up in your new home ready for when you move in.

Video and DVD Players
Although fragile, they will usually survive the journey to your new home if you pack them well enough. Wrap them up in blankets or sheets and place them upright in a box. If you have the original packaging, this is great, as it will protect them a lot better. Whichever way, make sure that they have enough padding to get there in one piece. Some insurance policies do not cover for electrical derangement so please check your policy before you move.

Pictures and Mirrors
When packing these sort of items you need to make sure that they are always standing upright and have extra protection around them. Because these items can sometimes bend or break in the middle they need to be protected by cardboard or a wooden crate. Never lay them flat as the glass will not be strong enough to survive the journey. Large pictures with Gilt or intricate frames must be cased so that the artwork can be delivered in exactly the same condition that it was collected in. Medium size pictures should be wrapped in cardboard or blankets and again, kept upright. Small pictures can be wrapped up and placed in a box with other items. However, please make sure that they are standing up so that they do not bend. Never wrap Oil paintings in bubble wrap, because it makes the oil run. It is just like sticking a plastic bag over your head!

Armchairs and Sofas
Due to the fact that most suites are very big and comfy these days, you must make sure that it will fit into your new property. If you have an extra large sofa, your movers will need to know about the access at both properties. Was it delivered into your current property without any hassle? Have you made any modifications since you moved in? If the sofa is going upstairs, how tight is the staircase? If the sofa was delivered through the window, have you had double glazing installed since you bought it? Your movers will charge you extra if they have to dismantle it or deliver it through a window in your new property - especially if the window is not on the ground floor...

Light Fittings
You should remove the shades and lightbulbs from Lamps and pack these seperately. If you have a normal light fitting that hangs from the ceiling, these can be wrapped up and place gently in a box with plenty of padding. However, if you have a chandelier, these will either need to dismantled completely or hung and tied inside a wooden crate or box so that you do not loose or damage the glass droplets. Whenever you disconnect a wall or ceiling light, please make sure that you get an experienced Electrician to do it for you and that they replace the ceiling Roses once done. If you ask your mover, they can arrange to either organise an Electrician for you or use their own In House Handyman.

Pianos
Never under-estimate how much hard work goes into moving a piano. If your piano is upright, then you need to tell your Removal Company whether it is an iron framed or a wooden framed piano. Either way, they are both still very heavy. If your piano is either above the ground floor or needs to be delivered above the ground floor and you do not have a lift then you will pay quite a lot of money to get it moved as you will more than likely require 3 - 4 removal men to move it. Even if you just have a few steps up to the front door, this will require a lot of hard work by your movers, so don't forget to congratulate them once they are finished. If you have a Grand Piano, then the pedals and the legs will need to be removed and the body of the piano is then moved on a "Piano Shoe". The piano body should be wrapped up either in a piano cover or a blanket and strapped to the "shoe" where it can be manoeuvred more easily.

Kitchen

China and Glass
Whenever packing anything breakable, always make sure that there is plenty of padding underneath to soften any blow that the box might receive. Scrunched up paper or cushions are always a good bet. After wrapping plates, always stand them upright as they are a lot stronger on their edge than they are face down. With glassware and ceramics always fill the void with padding to make it a solid object and once wrapped, try to stand them upright in the box. Again, they are a lot stronger standing up than they are on their side.

Cups and Teapots
Just like Glassware, make sure that the void space in the centre of the cup is filled with packing paper and then wrapped around the outside. Again, these should be stood upright in the box if you can, because they are stronger standing up than they are on their side.

Knives and Sharp Objects
It is fairly obvious, but please make sure that these items have plenty of padding around them so that when you come to unpack them, you do not cut yourself.

Pots and Pans
Once wrapped, Large, Heavy items should be packed into medium size boxes, so that the boxes don't get too heavy. Don't forget the rule of Thumb - if you can't lift them, the Removal men will struggle too.

Microwaves
These should be wrapped up and placed in a box if possible. If you do not have a box large enough let you Removal Company know so that they can safely load it onto the van. Always remember to take the glass plate out from the inside and wrap it seperately.

Large Appliances
Items such as Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers should have the rotating drum secured before you move them. You can do this either with the bolt that was supplied with the appliance or by putting something inside the drum, such as towels or pillows. This will keep the drum from moving whilst on the move. Please also remember to empty as much water from inside them as possible, especially if they are going into store! (This applies to any item that can contain water.) After all, you don't want them to go mouldy whilst waiting for delivery. You can ask your Movers for Silica Gel sachets to dry up the water inside them. A good alternative is Tea Bags!

Fridges and Freezers
If you are only moving a short distance, then your Removal Company may allow you to keep food in your Fridge/Freezer during the move. (Please make sure beforehand.) However, it is very important that you eat the food down as much as possible and that any loose items are in a plastic bag inside the appliance to make sure that it can be easily handled if necessary. If the journey to your new home takes longer than half an hour, you will need to defrost your fridge and freezer completely, at least 24 hours before it is moved, so that no water leaks inside the van. If they are going into store or being moved overseas, always make sure that the doors are kept ajar for the journey, so that they don't smell once they are delivered.

Cookers
Please make sure that you contact a qualified electrician or Gas fitter to disconnect these items. Removal Men are not insured to do this, so please don't expect them to disconnect them for you. Please also try to remember to clean them before you move, both inside and out! The last thing you want is a dirty old cooker going inside your nice new Kitchen.

Small Electricals
These are best moved in their original packing, however, if you don't have this then make sure that they have plenty of wrapping around them. Pack these items into a medium size box that can take fairly large items, but won't get too heavy.

Chip Pans
Again, it sounds obvious, but Please, Take the fat out before you pack them. You'd be surprised at how many boxes get turned upside down when being moved, and the last thing you want is chip fat everwhere!

Foods and Drink
If you are going any distance, you will need to eat your food supply down to the bare minimum. Remember, food goes off very easily and it is not covered by insurance. No food items are allowed in an overseas or storage shipment for obvious reasons. Some Removal Companies may allow you to leave Tins and Jars, but please double check with them first. In an Overseas shipment, most alcohol is taxable, so we suggest that, unless you have a very large and valuable Wine Collection, you do not bother moving it. It can be more hassle than it's worth and may cost you a small fortune along the way.