Obviously you would be unlikely to tackle this task if you are moving overseas or hundreds of miles from your current home but if you are moving locally then it is something worth considering. Just don’t underestimate exactly what you get from a professional house removals firm. They know how best to pack a removals lorry to make the most of the space available, they know how to move heavy items around awkward spaces such as staircases, they can even take apart large items of furniture and reassemble in the new place. But if you still want to save some hard cash – here are some top tips:

• Invest in Strong Packing Boxes

Buy strong double-walled packing boxes in a range of sizes – you will need small ones for heavy items such as books so you can actually lift them when they are full.

• Find a Van

Obtain a range of quotes for hiring a van and note that large items like mattresses and sofas can be stacked on their side to make best use of the height of the vehicle. Once you have decided which hire company to use pay a deposit to secure your hire but wait until the moving date os confirmed before confirming the van rental date.

1. It’s Never Too Soon to Start Packing

Once your move is confirmed (even if you don’t have a completion date) start packing anything you really don’t need in the following few weeks. Packing can take much longer than you might imagine so start as soon as possible to take the pressure off. Starting early also gives you the opportunity to do some decluttering (check out the Ultimate Guide to Decluttering) so you are not moving junk that you don’t really need..

1. Packing Advice

• Use plenty of bubble-wrap, newspaper or even towels and linen to wrap fragile items.
• Use strong packing tape to secure your boxes.
• Label boxes with new location by room and also the contents.
• Pack a box of essentials for the first night: kettle, medicines, toilet roll etc.

1. The Big Day

Get up early, have a good breakfast and get started loading the van with the largest items of furniture. Secure sofas, wardrobes and mattresses to the sides of the van. If furniture items have doors or drawers then secure these closed, either by locking them or using string to hold them closed. Once all the furniture is stashed in the van start to load the heaviest boxes onto the floor of the van, with lighter boxes on top. Double check every item is secure and won’t move around when the van is in motion.

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Do –

• A few car boots! Spending a few hours on a sunday selling your unwanted items for cash is a great idea in the lead up to your move. It costs hardly anything to set a table up and sell your items, and it brings in a little bit of extra cash, which always comes in useful when you’re moving.
• Label everything! Become an organised person, and don’t be afraid to overdo it, whether you’re moving items straight to a new home or temporarily into self storage you simply cannot be too organised. Use sticky labels, big sheets of paper with instructions on, even label makers if you want – you will thank yourself for it later on.
• Make lists, lots of lists – you need to write loads of lists on paper, your phone or even on a white board. Write lists for your budget, packing needs, self-storage items, packing plan, legal paperwork, itinerary and so on. If you think something needs to be on a list somewhere, create a list for it!

Don’t

• Just chuck random items in boxes together, you’ll regret it when it comes to unpacking! This is especially relevant when it comes to heavy items and fragile items – they just don’t mix.
• Leave approximately one night to pack your entire house – it isn’t good for your sanity or your home!
• Overpack boxes and bags just because you don’t have enough. Although it can be tempting to overfill or indeed underfill boxes and bags during a move, it’s not good for your purse or your items. Pack each and every box and bag properly so that the items inside are protected and every inch of space is used well.
• Leave your self storage or removals booking until too late – get them booked early.

When You Move

Do

• Keep on top of your lists, it can never hurt to keep on top of what needs doing.
• Try to locate people at different bases if possible. So have some people at your current home, some at your self storage unit and some at your new home all able to help unload and place items.
• Load items carefully – heavy items at the bottom, lighter items at the top and any fragile items wedged in so they can’t move about during transit.
• Check each and every inch of your current home to make sure you haven’t left anything.
• Have a ‘refreshments box’ to hand containing a kettle, water, mugs, tea bags and snacks.
• Prepare entertainment for the kids – moving is stressful enough for everyone without kids throwing tantrums and playing up because they’re bored.

Don’t

• Expect the removals men to know exactly what needs to go where. They are experts at moving but won’t know exactly what’s what when it comes to your belongings – make sure you oversee everything.
• Put houseplants in the moving truck – they won’t survive!
• Forget to turn everything off at your current property unless someone is moving in the same day or the next day.

Remember, moving is always going to be stressful but the more prepared you are, the easier it will be!

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