Mr Skill

Moving Home can be a stressful or stress-free experience depending on how you approach it. The more preparation you put into before the day of your move, the smoother it will go. Mr Skill, with the help of the London removal experts featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory, has compiled a list of handy tips to help moving home be a pleasure rather than a chore.

Start by writing everything down. Compile a manual file which is going to be used as a record keeping system where you can list every box as it is packed, and details of what is inside it. Create a space in your home to use as a “command centre” and keep the file there so you know where to lay your hands on it. Not only will it come in handy when you arrive at your new destination, but if you have packed an item which you subsequently need before you move, you will know where to find it!

Get more packing supplies than you think you need. It always seems that no matter how many boxes, bubble wrap and sticky tape you get, there is always the need for more. If more than one person is packing, get two long rolls of sticky tape and two pairs of scissors, so that one person is not hanging around waiting while you seal your boxes up. Small boxes should be used for more delicate items and then packed into larger boxes. It is a good idea to take a selection of strong cardboard boxes from your local supermarket, because you never know exactly what sizes you are going to need until you start packing.

Assign a colour code for each room in your new home (Kitchen – Yellow, Bathroom – Blue etc) and stick sticky labels of that colour onto each packing box. This will help your local removals company get the lorry unpacked quicker on your arrival and you will not finding yourself hunting through your new home looking for items in every room.

Empty wardrobes and fill them up. Wardrobes are great storage spaces for bedding, cushions and other lightweight soft furnishings. Pack them tightly into the bottom of the wardrobe and then fill with jeans, jumpers, shoes and finally clothes that you will not be using over the next couple of days. Cover any light coloured clothes with a dry-cleaning bag or large plastic shopping bag and pack a separate suitcase with items you will need in the short term.

Keep things together. Computer and audio equipment should be packed with their appropriate power leads and connecting cables. Picture hooks should be removed from the wall as you take down your pictures and sellotape to the back of the pictures and if you are going to disassemble furniture to take with you, keep the screws and screw covers packed with them.

Plan your cleaning. You will no doubt have some last minute cleaning to do before you leave. It is a good idea to leave as many cleaning tools as you need in a separate box away from the rest of the packing. Use supermarket shopping bags instead of waste paper baskets and throw away old cleaning clothes when you leave.

Take valuables with you. Although London removal companies will be experienced in handling valuable items, and have insurance in case of breakages, there will be several personal items which can never be replaced due to their sentimental value. It is always best to pack them securely in the vehicle you will be travelling in to prevent the risk of mishaps.

Take paperwork with you. Items such as passports, birth certificates, bank statements and personal phone books should also be taken with you. It is not so much that these are irreplaceable, just a nuisance to replace when you have so many things to do in your new home.

Tell everyone that you are moving. This means cancelling papers, re-directing post, cancelling utility standing orders with the bank, advising insurance and pension companies that you are moving, the DVLA and anybody else you has your home address details. Let them all have your new address in good time to amend their records. You may even find some “Welcome to Your New Home” cards waiting for you when you arrive.

Enjoy your new home. If the preparation has gone well, the move will be smooth and you will arrive at your new address stress-free and looking forward to settling in. With the colour-coded boxes in their correct room, unpacking will be a breeze and you will get it done quicker and easier than you could have ever imagined.

One of the main things to consider when moving home is who to use to help you move your belongings. Mr Skill has a selection of highly recommended expert removal companies in London listed in its Tradesmen´s Directory.  We recommended that you get several moving home quotes from hauliers in London in order to get the best deal. You can simply do this by using the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page – and good luck with the move!