A Complete Guide to Home Relocation

Moving is one of those life events that we don’t always look forward to. Whether you’re a first-time mover or have moved many times before, it’s critical to consider numerous factors before relocating so that your move goes well. It is one of the most stressful times in one’s life. It’s more than just hiring a moving company, packing your stuff, and delivering it to a new location.

There’s also the process of arranging your relocation, locating appropriate places to live in, and dealing with the number of tasks that need to be done before you can finally wave goodbye to your former house.

Tips to move at short notice

You will usually have plenty of time to plan and organize your relocation. However, there are times when you must move immediately for personal reasons, such as when your employer announces an internal transfer or assigns you to a post overseas.

If this is the case, it is important to keep a few things in mind in order to build the proper strategies and techniques to move to your destination with all of your things safe and undamaged.

Save time to move your belongings

Being prepared can help your relocation go more smoothly and swiftly because it takes time to move. Before you begin, make sure everything is prepared. To avoid having to return later, you should buy boxes, packing tape, markers, and other supplies in advance.

Make sure everyone involved has a notepad and a pencil so they can document anything that needs additional attention while the transfer is being done. While moving, it’s easy to lose important details. As you will need time to pack your belongings, it is also crucial to start packing early. 

To make sure everything is ready when it’s time to move, you should start packing at least a month beforehand.

Locate a short-term storage facility

If you have to move on short notice, don’t pay for a long-term storage unit. Instead, consider a facility that offers short-term units; these tend to be less expensive than their long-term counterparts—sometimes costing as little as $60 per month, depending on where you live.

This type of space is designed for people who need to store their belongings only temporarily—perhaps while they are waiting for another move or until a permanent home is ready.

Hire an expert mover

Moving on short notice can be a stressful experience. If you need to relocate quickly, hiring expert movers is probably the best course of action for a last-minute relocation. Moving companies will be able to move your things in a timely manner and ensure that they are properly packed, loaded, and transported. By hiring professional movers, you can avoid the stress of moving and focus on other aspects of your relocation instead.

However, if you choose not to accept any assistance from these movers during the transit of your goods (which is generally recommended), then it’s up to you. You can do it by yourself! 

To find out about moving costs, get in touch with several different movers and make a reservation with whoever offers the best deal.

Decide how much packing you want

You probably won’t be able to carry everything with you if you relocate on short notice. Therefore, it’s important to pack wisely. If you have the time, look through your belongings and throw everything away that you don’t use frequently or require. Additionally, you can give away certain things that could benefit another person. When the time comes, the packing will be simpler.

The simplest solution to this problem is to decide which objects need to be carried and packed based on the distance from one location (where you will move) to another.

It is advisable to pack every item you intend to take with you if you are considering a local relocation. If your move is farther away—across the nation or abroad—leave the majority of your belongings behind. This will make it easier to pack, and you won’t have to worry about shipping your belongings or storing them while they’re away from you.

Here are 8 ways to make your move easier

Regardless of how prepared you believe you are, moving out of your home is usually a difficult moment. It’s even more stressful when you are moving to a new city, state, or country. But proper planning and organization can be much easier than you think. In fact, if you know what to expect and how to prepare for it, moving out can be a smooth process that doesn’t leave you feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

If you are moving within your city or state, there are a number of things that need to be considered before making the move. 

Re-organizing your home

It’s simple to just stack boxes in one area while moving into a new home. But if you make the effort to reorganize your belongings so they’re simple to use and discover, transferring things out will be considerably simpler.

This will simplify things if you need anything right away. It’s also crucial to pay attention to where you arrange your boxes. Avoid leaving them in places where they will obstruct traffic or will be broken! 

Start the process of declutter

Moving a lot of things you don’t need from one location to another is pointless. If you want to leave your current flat, start with simple decluttering tasks, such as clearing away your clothing and books. Then move to bigger stuff like furniture or appliances. Less stuff will make it easier than more stuff would.

Once you’ve decluttered your current flat, you can decide what to do with the stuff. If there’s something you don’t want but others could use, donate it. You might also consider selling items that are in good condition and of high value, such as furniture or electronics. Get rid of anything else by throwing it out or recycling it.

Have enough boxes

If you are moving house, one of the most important things on your to-do list is to get a good supply of cardboard boxes and packing materials. You need enough boxes so that each room in your house can be packed separately for easy unpacking later. This will also help you to keep the items in each room separate from one another, so that if one box gets damaged during transit, only the items in that box will be affected.

Label all your boxes

Labeling each box can help you identify what’s inside once they’re all unpacked and organized across the house. Large groupings of boxes can even be given names depending on their intended use, such as “Kitchen Boxes” or “Bathroom Boxes,” and then all associated items can be placed in those particular containers when the boxes are unpacked.

Use masking tape or a label maker to label the boxes. In order to make it easier to remove later—if necessary—you could also write on masking tape using a permanent marker.

Get your old house ready for new tenants

Make sure it’s ready for new renters before you leave your old home and move elsewhere. This involves ensuring that all bills are paid in full and that any maintenance concerns are handled by a qualified specialist. Additionally, make sure that all of the furniture, appliances and other possessions are removed from the house.

You don’t want your belongings to be a hassle for any upcoming tenants. While you’re at it, make sure the house is clean and prepared for new renters. By doing this, you may prevent your old property from giving rise to complaints and issues from your new renters.

Sort basic utilities like electricity, wifi, and water

When you move into a new home or leave your old one, it’s important to think about setting up utilities to make sure that your utilities are all sorted out. If you’ve already moved into your new place and realized there’s no water, electricity, or internet—it’ll be a nightmare to sort out. 

Also, check that all payments have cleared before moving in, so nothing comes as an unpleasant surprise later on!

If you’re moving into a place that already has utilities sorted out, go through the bills and make sure they’re correct. If there are any mistakes or incorrect amounts, contact your utility provider as soon as possible.

Update your mailing address.

When moving, people often forget to update their mailing addresses with companies that have been doing business with them for years. If you want to receive mail from these long-standing correspondents—and we think you do!—then call or write to the company and let it know where you’re going. They will almost certainly ask you for the address to which they should send your mail.

Be sure to update all of your accounts with this new information so that they don’t send any bills to your old address after you’ve moved out.

Research the area you’re moving to

It’s worth spending some time researching the area before you even choose a new house. Check out local amenities like schools, shops, and restaurants. If possible, visit the area in person so that you can see it for yourself. You might be surprised by what you find! 

If you have children, it’s important for parents to consider the local schools. You will want to make sure that there are good nearby schools and that your neighborhood is safe enough for kids—especially if they’re young.

Measure the space you’ve moved into.

You should measure the area you have moved into. Measure the space before purchasing furniture or wall hangings, because you can’t tell the size of a room by looking at it. You may believe that a spacious bedroom will be ideal for your family’s requirements, but if the storage space is insufficient, this might lead to issues with organizing clothing and toys.

Before purchasing anything too large or heavy because it would be hard to move once built, consider where you want doors and windows to be placed in each room. Verify that any doors are simple to open and secure to close, and inspect the flooring for any damage that might result from moving heavy objects across them.

Use Wool string to tie up boxes

Wool thread is preferred to Sellotape since it won’t harm the contents of your boxes while you pack and is simpler to peel off after you’re through. Additionally, it does a far better job of holding everything in place and preventing movement inside your box. This is particularly advantageous if you are relocating in the summer or fall when the weather is expected to be warm.

It may be used to package food and other perishables so they won’t spoil while you’re traveling. It will also keep anything else that is stored in the same box from contaminating or staining your garments.

The advantages and disadvantages of moving house.

The place you live may have an influence on your relationships, career path, and other aspects of your life. Before making a choice, it’s necessary to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of moving. You should carefully weigh your alternatives before moving to decide whether doing so would improve your family or career, whether you want to start over in a new location, or just accept the job that an out-of-state business is offering.

Advantages: Moving house

New people and places to explore

Meeting new individuals might be facilitated by relocating to a new area. It’s an opportunity to socialize with new neighbors, participate in neighborhood politics, and go to community activities. You’ll meet a whole new group of friends and be able to experience activities like neighborhood festivals and church events that aren’t available where you used to live. Additionally, you can go exploring in your new city and find new places. You’ll have access to eateries and shops that aren’t close to where you used to live. You can benefit from these chances if you enjoy hiking, rock climbing, or other outdoor sports.

New opportunities

Moving to a new area can give you access to new career opportunities. You may be able to find a job that pays more or is closer to home than your previous job. Additionally, you may be able to change industries and get an entry-level position in an industry that doesn’t exist where you used to live.

More affordable housing

If you’re moving to a new city, you may find that the cost of living is lower than it was in your former area. This can give you more money for things like groceries or travel. You might also have more disposable income since your mortgage payment will likely be less expensive than what you’re paying now.

Growth of personality

Moving to a new city can help you become more outgoing and make friends. For example, if you’re currently stuck in an unpleasant or unfulfilling job situation, moving somewhere else could give you the opportunity to look for something better.

Expanding your cultural horizons

One of the best reasons to move is so that you can experience a new culture. If you live in a big city, there are always new people from different backgrounds and places to meet. You’ll have access to restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, along with events and festivals celebrating different cultures.

Disadvantages: Moving house

Repairs and renovations

If you are moving house, then it is likely that there will be some repairs and renovations to do. It is not always easy to find someone reliable and trustworthy, especially if you have children or pets who need to be looked after while the work is being done.

It is also not always possible to find someone who can work around your schedule, which may mean having to take time off from work. Furthermore, even if you are able to find a reliable and trustworthy person, it is unlikely that they will have all of the skills required for certain jobs, such as plumbing and electrical repairs.

Uprooting your life

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience. If you have never been there before, you may feel overwhelmed by the new people and their customs. You might think about staying in your old city and keeping your routine.

It’s easier to stay in your comfort zone. But if you move to a new state, you’ll feel uprooted and out of place at first. As time goes on, though, you will adjust to the culture and make friends with people who accept you for who you are!

Time-consuming

Moving can be extremely time-consuming. If you are moving from one city to another, there will be a lot of driving involved. You’ll have to pack up all your belongings and load them into the truck or man and van that you rented.

Then, once you reach your destination, unpack everything and put it back where it belongs (or decide where else it should go). It’s also important to remember that with any form of travel comes traffic jams and delays due to accidents or construction work.

Moving can be expensive

Moving can be expensive. If you are moving across the country, you will likely have to rent a truck or van and pay for gas. You’ll also need to pay someone to drive it for you while you ride along in the passenger seat (or with your family members). And if you’re selling your home, there are closing costs that will come out of your pocket.

Health issues

Moving can be a stressful time, and stress is not good for your health. Moving can lead to back pain and even make you sick if it’s too much for your body to handle. You may also experience muscle soreness from lifting heavy items or pushing them into place (if you’re doing this yourself).  If you’re pregnant or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by stress or physical exertion, it might be best to hire a moving company.

Tips for reducing the cost of a relocation. 

It’s no secret that moving costs are high. Even if you are relocating within the same city, you should budget for at least a few days’ worth of labor and transportation charges (and if you have pets or a lot of possessions, those expenses can quickly add up).

The good news is that there are several choices available to you to reduce the cost of your move.

We have some terrific suggestions for lowering the expense of relocating if that is something that worries you. We at House Removals London have put up a helpful resource of all the ways you can cut costs when moving.

Move in the off-season

If you can time your move for a less busy season, you’ll often find better rates. For example, relocating in late fall or early spring (or even summer) is typically cheaper than moving in the middle of the school year or right after holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Moving at the start of a school year, during summer vacation or on weekends can be especially expensive. You will pay more for gas if you move during these seasons.

Donate, sell or trash unused stuff

You may be surprised at how much stuff you have that you don’t need, want, or use. Purge your home of unnecessary items before moving day. You can donate some items to charity, sell others on websites like Craigslist or eBay if they are in good condition, and trash what remains.

Rent a moving truck or van

Driving your own car to a long-distance move can be costly in ways that aren’t always obvious; for example, by paying bridge tolls or renting parking spaces at the destination. You may find that it is cheaper to rent moving trucks or vans with friends or family members who are also making a long-distance move than it would be for each of you to drive your individual cars there.

Plan early

If you plan your move well in advance, you can save money. For example, if you know that your move will take place during peak season, it might be wise to wait until after the busy travel period to make your plans. That way, you’ll avoid paying more for movers than necessary and may even benefit from lower rates on other services (such as hotels or airline tickets).

Get your own packing supplies

You can save money by purchasing packing supplies yourself instead of paying for movers to do it. Boxes and bubble wrap are available at most office supply stores, as well as many grocery stores and other retailers that sell household goods. There’s no reason not to pack your own belongings if you have the time.

If you’re on a tight budget, look for free boxes near your home or apartment. Many supermarkets have them available for customers who need to pack groceries (or even just transport them from the store). You can also ask friends and family members if they have any spare boxes lying around.

Create a backup plan

If you’re moving to a new home, whether it’s across town or across the country, it’s important to make sure that your belongings are covered in case anything happens during the move. You can do this by creating a backup plan for your valuables and other important items. If something does happen, you should know where everything is located so that you can replace it quickly.

Plan your packing

You should also plan your packing so that you can minimize the number of boxes you need. For example, if you’re moving across town, it might make sense to pack up some items and leave them at a friend’s place until after the move. If possible, try to use reusable packing materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts instead of buying new ones every time.

Request a deal

You may be able to get a better deal on your moving costs by requesting one. You can ask your mover if they offer any deals or discounts, such as a free quote. If they do, then make sure you ask for it! It’s always good to shop around so that you can compare rates and find the right company for your needs.

Minimizing food waste

Saving money by reducing food waste is an excellent idea. According to the WFD, the average American household discards $1,866 annually. That’s a lot of money being wasted!

By organizing your meals, you may decrease the amount of food you waste. Making a shopping list and trying to stick to it will help you avoid buying more food than you actually need for your meals. Additionally, avoid purchasing an excessive amount of food at once, especially perishables like meat and dairy.

Buy used items

Another excellent strategy to save costs is to purchase old goods. Thrift shops provide a wide range of items, including affordable gadgets, furniture, and apparel. Consider shopping online for a used version of the item if you’re looking for something special but don’t want to pay full price for it. On websites like Craigslist or eBay, you may also purchase second-hand goods from individuals, but you should exercise caution while doing so. For safety reasons, try to meet in a place where there are other people present, and use caution while making internet purchases (such as using PayPal).