31 January 2014

As the old saying goes, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’. While the meaning if this phrase may not seem obviously apparent, it in essence means that a bit of timely effort can have a dramatic effect on the amount of work you need to do at a later date. When it comes to moving house, this phrase is extremely applicable. When most people think about moving house they immediately envisage stresses, rushing around and full-scale panic. Things really don’t need to be this way, and there are a number of tips we can provide to stop your relocation turning into a full-scale episode of continual consternation. 1.    Start planning as soon as you agree a moving date.If you are buying, you are usually aware of your moving date a couple of months in advance. This is the time to start the ball rolling. The sooner you start, the more time you afford yourself to deal with any inevitable hiccups and carry out all those little tasks that may not spring to mind when you start getting on with things. If you are renting, you usually need to give at least a month’s notice of your departure so you will at least have this in mind a month or so before you actually confirm it. That is the time to start planning! 2.    Write lists, lots of them.A master list of tasks with a timescale is essential to taking the stress out of your move. Sit down with the family as a first task and get everything that needs doing written down. Divide up tasks by required completion date and assign them to different family members to ease the stress on your shoulders. Put this master list somewhere in clear sight to all (the fridge door is an obvious place), as it will need regularly referring to and will no doubt need to be added to as the move creeps ever closer. By putting a clear plan in place everything will seem a whole lot more ordered, which in turn will lower stress levels because everyone knows exactly what to do and when. 3.    Make a jumble sale your immediate priority.Before you begin packing, go through every single room inside the house (and outside…sheds and garages tend to be something of a dumping ground for all manner of unwanted items) and put together a pile of unwanted items. A new house means a fresh start, so anything that isn’t needed can go. If you cannot sell it at car boot sales, jumble sales or via only auction sites then donate or recycle it. You could raise a surprising amount of funds, and lower moving costs by cutting down the amount of ‘stuff’ that needs moving. 4.    Decide on a budget and get as much professional help as you can afford.Once you have sold all your unwanted items then you can decide on a budget for your move. Moves can be surprisingly expensive, but a sure-fire way to take a solid portion of stress out of the actual day is to book a professional removal company to carry out the move. Book early, and always get three written quotes for the services you require, and steer clear of any companies who do not send someone out to view your property and the job – every move is different and therefore needs a bespoke service and quote. Be honest with yourself about what would be best for you and your family, and then see whether you can afford it!