Congratulations on your new home! Moving is very exciting, however, the process can be a potentially stressful experience. In this blog we offer 10 of our top tips to reduce the pressure, ensuring that the transition to your new home goes smoothly.

1. Questions to ask the sellers before you move

The excitement of moving into a new home can mean that many new homeowners forget to ask about some of the important details. We recommend that you talk to the sellers about the location of the water stopcock and the gas and electricity meters and about who their current energy and utility providers are.

You’ll also need to know which day the bins are collected. Additionally, if the property has on-street parking, it’s a good idea to know if you need to apply for permits. The more you know before moving in, the better prepared you will be.

2. Change your address before you move

This may seem like an obvious one, however, you’d be surprised how many people forget. Update your address with your bank and utility providers ahead of time so that your bills, credit card statements and packages arrive at your new home without any hassle. Royal Mail also offers a redirection service to ensure any correspondence will be routed to your new address.

3. Photograph the back of your electronic appliances

Before you pack up your electronics, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the back of your devices as a photographic record of which cable goes where. This will make it much easier to set these devices up again in your new home.

4. Create a checklist for moving home

It’s a good idea to create a Moving House Checklist. Knowing what has been done and what still needs to be done can make the process of moving much simpler. Ticking off each small task as it is completed can make even the biggest tasks seem much more manageable. Consider aspects such as who to notify of your new address, organising a removal firm and childcare for the day of the move (if applicable).

5. Renting? Take your own inventory

This moving tip is specifically for those who are renting. Before you start unpacking, take a quick inventory of your new home, photograph each room and note any existing damage. It’ll be more difficult to prove to your landlord that you didn’t cause said damage after you’ve moved in and unpacked your furniture.

6. Deep clean your new home before you move in

Moving home is exciting and it’s natural to want to get all your things moved in and unpacked as quickly as possible but before you move your belongings into your new property, it’s a good idea to do a deep clean. This is much easier in an empty property than with boxes everywhere. As well as the regular tasks of cleaning the floors, hoovering and dusting, it’s best to wipe down the entire kitchen, including the insides of the cupboards. We also recommend cleaning the skirting boards before moving furniture as this can be tricky once everything is in place.

7. Pack smart

Packing is always one of the most time-consuming parts of a move, however, there are ways to make the process more efficient. Label your boxes clearly as you go along, including both the contents and the room of the new property that the box is intended for. This way you don’t need to re-open the boxes after they have been packed to see what’s inside and your removal firm will know in which room to deposit the box in your new property. If you need to dismantle larger pieces of furniture to move them, put the spare nuts and bolts into freezer bags and tape them to the relevant furniture.

We also recommend packing a first night box for when you move into your new home. Having a separate box with only the essentials means you don’t have to spend time rifling through different boxes trying to find everything you’ll need for the night. You can find out about our First Night essentials here.

8. Make sure the moving day goes smoothly

It’s easy to become overwhelmed on moving day, but you can make sure it runs smoothly with a few simple steps. It’s a good idea to lay down floor covers to protect high traffic flooring on the day. When moving your belongings in, it’s best to move the larger pieces of furniture in first. That way there will be no smaller boxes lying around blocking corridors or doorways. It also gives you an idea of what space you have left for the rest of your belongings once all the furniture is in place. Lastly, make sure your new property is insured from the day of your move.

9. Make your bed first

When starting to unpack in your new home, make your bed first. The last thing you want to do after a stressful day of unpacking furniture is hunt through boxes for your bedding and make your bed. Make this your priority on moving day, you’ll be thankful later.

10. After you’ve settled in

After those first few hectic days, it’s a good idea to take some time out from unpacking to get organised. You’ll need to consider things like doing that first big food shop, registering to vote and finding a new doctor’s surgery or dental practice. It’s easier to arrange these essentials sooner rather than later! Finally, take some time to relax. Don’t try to do too much at once, you have plenty of time to get organised in your new home.

What are your top tips for ensuring a stress-free house move?