Our guide to moving house
Moving house can be daunting and there are so many things to think about and remember. However, there are ways to make it easier, and we’ve put together some tips to help your move go smoothly and be as hassle-free as possible.
1- Make an inventory before you start packing
By taking stock of all the items in your house, room by room, you can estimate the size of truck you need to move it all. It can also help you to easily see what you don’t need any more, allowing you to de-clutter before you move house.
For large appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, check the manufacturer’s instructions for moving these items. This can avoid hold-ups on moving day by giving you plenty of time to arrange any extra help needed to load your rental truck.
If you’re downsizing and you haven’t yet decided exactly what furniture will fit in your new house, self-storage is a cost-effective way to keep your belongings safe and secure while you decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
2- Find cheap moving truck hire
Once you know your moving date it’s important to plan how you are going to transport all your belongings to your new house. By organising your own removal truck hire, you can save money, stay on schedule and have complete control throughout the entire moving process. Europcar’s one-way truck hire is a great option for relocations, as it allows you to drop your hire truck off at the Europcar station closest to your new home once the job is complete.
Hire a removal truck from Europcar today and secure a great rate.
3- Inform providers and suppliers of your new address
It’s important to stay on top of all of the administrative tasks that come along with changing address. While it may seem overwhelming, most of these tasks can be taken care of online or over the phone.
The first and most important task is to contact your utility companies and notify them of when you are moving. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to give your utility providers at least two weeks’ notice before your moving date.
Be sure to request that your existing utility company leave their services on for 48 hours after you move and for your new company to turn them on 48 hours prior to arrival. This allows time for any issues or complications to be resolved and provides you with extra cover should your schedule change. Make sure you take a final meter reading at your old address and a starting meter reading at your new address so that you can pass these to the utility provider.
4- Packing tips
Packing can be the most daunting part of moving but organisation is key. Here are some tips to help take the stress out of packing up your house:
– Pick the right packing boxes for your move. One box does not fit all and you’ll probably need a few different sizes and types of boxes for packing different possessions. Be sure to explore the different types of packing boxes available to ensure your belongings can be comfortably transported to their new home.
– Wrap delicate items carefully. Be sure to carefully wrap all fragile items with the most suitable material before packing them for transportation. For very delicate items, we suggest a tight layer of bubble wrap, whereas larger pieces of furniture are best protected by heavy-duty pads made from polycotton, which provide ideal protection for both transit and storage.
– Pack each room separately. As moving day approaches, place boxes inside each room of the house, carefully labelling each one with the name of the room that it will go to in the new house. In the days before moving day, take the opportunity of any spare time you have by packing each room’s boxes with items that won’t be needed until after the move. By the time you reach your final few days at your current home, you should only have the bare necessities left to box-up.
5- Packing your moving van
Now that your belongings are packed and ready to go, you’re nearly ready to hit the road to your new home. For an in-depth guide on how best to load your belongings into your truck hire, check out our ultimate guide to optimizing space.
