The transactions are finalised, mortgages are sorted, you’ve exchanged contracts and it’s nearly time to pick up your keys and complete the move. So what can you do to make sure the big day goes smoothly and that you get off to a good start in your new home?
The key, as is so often the case for most big events in life, is to make sure that you’ve planned it all out well in advance. Yes there may be a few elements on the day you can’t control or that don’t go as perfectly as you’d like, but follow these tips and your first evening at home will hopefully be a good one:
Confirm the van booking
No matter if you’re getting a Removal company, a man and van or a self-drive hire, make sure it’s booked and confirmed for the right time and date. Book it for enough time to get everything done and give yourself a bit of leeway – you don’t want to be stressing about returning the van on time and not getting finished!
De-clutter
Ok so this is more of a pre-moving day tip, but make sure you have a sort out beforehand so that you’re not spending moving day transporting things you don’t actually need or want!
Have breakfast!
It might not be high up on your list and you’ll be full of excitement and nerves, but you’re going to use a lot of energy so make sure you’re fuelled up and ready to go for a long day ahead. It doesn’t hurt to think about where and when you might grab a quick bite to eat for lunch either.
Plan out the timing of your day
When are you picking up the keys? What time do you have the van? How long does it take to get there? How many trips will you need to make? Write it all down and give yourself a nice clear schedule – and definitely leave yourself plenty of buffer at each stage.
Ensure access to the essentials
Everything’s going in a box and it might be days till you find your favourite shirt or socks, but there are some things you’ll want ASAP. Make sure the bed is accessible and ready to be assembled again (have a screwdriver to hand)…. and don’t forget about the kettle!
Label Label Label!
You’re not going to need everything on the first night and you may not get to some things for weeks – and after a few weeks, you might just forget where everything was! So label every box and do it by room name so that everything is in the right place for whenever you do get round to it.
Know where you’re heading
It sounds stupid to say, but especially if you’re going down the self-drive van hire route, make sure you know the route to your new home and how long it’ll take so you can factor this into your day. Plus, vans are a usually a little trickier to park than your normal car so think about where you can park up at the other end!
Check the utilities
Broadband and Sky TV might not be needed on the first day, but water, gas and electricity probably will be. Make sure you’ve sorted utilities contracts in advance and check everything is switched on and working as soon as you get in, just in case you have to chase anything up on the day.
These tips aren’t new or ground-breaking, but going through them and ticking them off your list will really help your day go smoothly. After that, it’ll be time to put your feet up and stick that easily-accessible kettle on!