Read our top 6 tips for a stress-free house move, from packing and unpacking your items, to the solicitors process.
Here at Johnson’s Removals we are all about creating a stress free moving environment. Whether you are a student, a working professional, a large family or even a business of any size, we know how hard it can be when moving so here are our tips and tricks to ensure stress levels are decreased!
Starting from the top:
Of course we are slightly biassed but here at Johnsons we offer a range of services such as, Home removals, Packing & Unpacking, Commercial Relocations, Student Moves as well as our waste clearance options and we also offer a very flexible working day so we always try to work around you and your timings, got work or studies until 4pm? No issues, we can start at 4:30!
We always recommend getting enough notice to any removals company you book as to avoid being let down or not being able to ensure the company you are booking has all the correct insurance and equipment you will need for your move!
The average removals company will get bookings in anywhere from a week to a month in advance. When buying & selling your home it's usually a rough idea that the solicitors give you for a completion date, when booking a removals service be sure to start with that date, if any adjustments to date & time are needed we can accommodate to this completely free of charge!
So, you have got your removals service booked for the date you need, now let's talk about what to pack and when to pack it if you are wanting to do this yourselves, many removals companies offer a service to pack up your items for you, this would usually be a day or two before your move whilst leaving out the essentials for the night! However, not everyone wants to book this service so here's our advice for you -
There are many options and views on the best ways and when to start packing however to avoid stress we recommend starting as early as possible, start with packing away the back of cupboards and things you haven't used in a while as soon as you know when you are moving as this will save you time in the future! So let's say you start this 2 weeks before your move.
Next we would say sort of a week before to start packing up some of your clothing, shoes & accessories you don't use on a frequent basis and just keeping out the essentials, however you can buy wardrobe boxes which are ideal for these situation, pack all your clothes into these boxes that have built in rails and you can then use them as wardrobes on a temporary basis!
As well as the above being done a week prior to your move we also suggest packing up surplus items you may have such as most of your pots and pans, plates, cutlery, toys etc etc.
Then over the following week just start packing up items you really won't need out for the remaining time at the current property, this can be things such as dismantling wardrobes now your clothes are packed (if we aren't doing the dismantling for you!), taking beds down, bedding, throws, couch cushions all could be packed up now literally leaving just the essentials out ready for moving day! Make sure when boxing items up to label the boxes where you want them going in the next house as this will make it easier for you in the end!
Now, you are all packed up, but what have you used? Black bags? Bags for life? PLEASE don't! This is the biggest reason items can get damaged, make sure your items are boxed up and taped correctly as this can help avoid damages to fragile items! We have sources that have some of the best and most reasonably priced packaging materials in the uk! Even if we aren't packing your items for you, let us send you in the right direction for the most protective form of moving!
The day of the move! It's now time to get your items packed into our van and moved across to your new home, so what do you need to do? NOTHING! That's right, go grab a coffee and some food and chill out, this is where a good removals company really comes into their own. On the day of your move here at Johnson’s Removals we make sure to do ALL of the work and let you relax, we have specialist equipment for sofas, tv’s and all other items of furniture as well as having thick padded removals blankets to avoid scratches or damage to items on our van. So on the day we will ensure the safety and security of boxes making sure they are safe to be lifted and transported, we will cover your sofas in our sofa covers & your mattresses too as well as your TV’s, then we will load the items securely and cover almost everything, especially any delicate items in our padded blankets! Once transported go meet the team at the new property unless you travel with them and then again, leave us to do the unload, you have of course labelled all your boxes and we know what is going in what room so again, leave us to it!
Yes, Solicitors. We know from experience that they are not always a great help. If you find yourself selling your home or buying one then we really feel for you, what we always advise our clients on is to just leave it be, calling and emailing constantly, although justified, can most of the time slow down the process. Things get delayed, moved forward and cancelled all the time, this is just part of the stressful environment that moving house can be. Try taking your mind away from the situation, have a chat with our friendly team whilst we are waiting for confirmation of funds etc. Stressing about the situation won't get you anywhere, just know your items are safe, the van is being packed, you have got the removals company for as long as you need us, be patient!
Have you got an item you haven't seen in 6 months+? Do you really need it? Could someone else use it? Why not consider donating it to a charitable cause? Or why not use our waste collection service where 99% of our waste is recycled & upcycled?
Having less stuff to move means less work for a removal company which means it can bring the costs down in many cases. Do not feel pressured into getting rid of anything, just in a lot of cases when moving house we see people leaving stuff behind and having to sort out a clearance afterwards, why not start with that?
Now the fun begins! You are in your new home and excited about getting unpacked and settling in, now is the perfect time to arrange all the things in the right place and make it easier in general!
Your labelled boxes are in the corresponding rooms so now just unpack, put cutlery in the cutlery draw, pots and pans together with the baking trays, plates, bowls and trays in the same cupboard the possibilities are endless and the beauty of it is, it's yours to do what you want! You decide what's best for you and your lifestyle!
We do offer an unpacking service at johnsons removals, however we do recommend you are with us at the time overseeing whats going where to make it easier on you!
Of course you have to factor in the removals costs when moving house, all companies within the removals sector can charge differently, it will all be similar but some have more reason to charge more or less. Here at Johnson’s for example we have no minimum cost to cater for people with smaller house moves as well as bigger, we also have day rates available at a discounted rate if you are unsure on how long you need or are awaiting confirmation from solicitors etc.
On average a home removal cost can look like this:
Many companies offer long distance relocations, they will then add on a fuel cost, on average this is at 65p per mile. Johnson’s Removals do this if the move is outside of a 20 mile radius.
