Moving house is a huge step, but it doesn’t always have to be stressful. With Bassy’s step by step guide to moving house you can make your packing and moving process as stress free as possible.

So without further ado, let’s get into our house moving guide!

Step By Step Guide to Moving House 

So you have found a house that ticks all the boxes, you’ve made an offer and had it accepted. What happens next? Here is your step by step house moving guide of what you need to do before you move house.

1. Choose a Conveyancing Firm

If you are buying your home instead of renting, you need to find qualified conveyancers to help you with the process. You should always compare different firms and go with solicitors who you know you can trust. They will help you go through the whole conveyancing process and make sure you’re on track with the documentation. 

2. Arrange a Survey

To ensure your new property meets your expectations, you need to arrange a survey to assess the condition it’s in. There are different types of home surveys so before you book one, do your research to find which one would be the best for your situation. 

3. Find a Reputable Removals Company

When you start getting closer to exchanging contracts and completion, you should start looking at arranging your removal company. Contact local companies to get a rough idea of how much it will cost to move your belongings and furniture. The total removal cost will depend on a number of factors. Long-distance moves, for example, will cost more. 

It’s important to choose a company that is experienced and reputable. Google Reviews and trade’s websites such as Yell will help you get an idea of the level of services provided by a company. 

 While assessing your options you should also consider whether you will need any additional services such as self-storage or packing. 

4. Exchange Contracts 

Exchanging contracts is one of the last steps before getting the keys to your new house. Your conveyancers will sort out the legal requirements on your behalf and inform you when a completion date has been agreed. 

5. Pack and Prepare

Once you have your completion date, it’s time to start packing and preparing for the move. Start by decluttering to get rid of any items you don’t need or want in your new home. You can sell, donate or throw away items you don’t wish to keep. Having less items will make packing easier and can also save you some money on house removal as there will be less boxes to move.

You can decide whether you want to use packaging materials supplied by your removals company or source those yourself. 

6. Research Storage Options (If Needed)

If you won’t be able to move everything in one go or you’re struggling with packing everything, you should consider using a self-storage to take some of the stress off you. This way you can make sure your belongings are safely stored. 

7. Confirm Your Moving Date

Before you can move into your new house, confirm and finalise the details with your conveyancer and the estate agent. Your completion and move in date are not always the same, but they can be. It’s important to be very organised at this stage so you don’t miss out on anything important. 

8. Final Preparations and Moving in

With your moving date around the corner it’s time to finish your to-do list and finalise your preparation. Pack all of your essential items in a separate bag so they’re easily accessible. Do final checks to make sure you’re not forgetting anything and then it’s time for the move in day. 

On your move in day, it’s important to keep the contact details of your movers and estate agents at hand if there are any unexpected delays. 

Our Top Tips on Moving House

• Create an inventory

That way you can keep an eye on all of your belongings and make sure nothing gets lost during the whole moving process. Another good idea is to have a moving house checklist which will also help you keep things under control.

• Pack as early as you can

Once you set your moving date and arrange the removal process, then it’s time to start packing! Pack all of your items room by room to keep it organised.

• Sort out utilities in advance

Utilities such as council tax, electricity, gas and home insurance as early as you can so you can save yourself the stress and have more time to relax in your new home.

• Keep cupboard doors open

Keeping your cupboard and cabinet doors open in the days up to your moving date will give you the chance to double check you’ve packed everything.

• Have a survival box

Pack all your everyday boxes such as medicine, chargers, toothbrush, change of clothes, etc. in a separate bag and keep it with you, that way you know you have all your essentials at hand.

• Take photos

Take photos of the writing at the back of your TV and other electronics, so you can keep track of what goes where and put everything back together in your new house without a hassle.

• Visit your new area

After you’ve sorted out a moving date and started packing, you should try and go out in your new area on the weekend, checking out all the local shops or pubs and getting to know the area.

Moving Home Checklist

If you don’t know where to start with the whole process of moving house, it’ a good idea to make a moving home checklist so you don’t forget anything. To help you, we have put together a moving house to-do list which you can follow to keep organised. 

What to do Before Moving house?

What to do After Moving House?

Once you move in

• Perform an inventory check and sign off on the moving services.
• Reconnect all the white goods.
• Wipe down furniture.
• Turn on all utilities and make sure central heating is working.
• Unpack and make your bed.
• Put up your curtains and blinds. 
• Unpack all essentials.

House Moving Tips – Biggest Dos and Don’ts 

✔ Hire specialists for fragile items

If you have any belongings that are particularly fragile and need to be handled carefully, such as antiques, valuable art or pianos, then your moving company will need to be trained in transporting these items safely.

Bassy’s Removals offers piano removals and antique removals.

✔ Find creative ways to utilise packaging

If you’re using a packing service the removal company will supply the boxes and materials. But if you’re doing the packing yourself you can get a bit creative with packing. Use large hold bags, suitcases or laundry baskets to make most of the space. 

✔ Pack room by room

Packing room by room is a logical and structured way of packing that can help you organise your belongings easier. Start with the rooms you use the least such as spare bedrooms, the garden shed or garage. Pack items which are out of season first and keep out items that you plan on using until the official moving day. 

☓ Don’t overload the boxes

One of the most common mistakes people make when packing is putting too many items in a single box. If a box starts feeling heavy even though it’s only half-full, then you can top it off with some towels or pillows, or simply move onto the next box. 

☓ Don’t forget to check non-allowable items

Some removal companies have a list of items they class as non-allowable. Those can be hazardous items such as paint thinners, propane cylinders or fireworks. Always check in advance what your removal company classes as non-allowable items and take them out of your baggage.

☓ Don’t leave empty space

Fill all the empty gaps in your boxes by using paper or small items such as tea towels. You can even use kitchen paper or old rags. That way you’ll ensure your items are kept securely during transit and you won’t be unpacking any broken belongings.

Move House with Bassy’s Removals 

We hope you found our step by step guide to moving house insightful. If you need professional help in making your house move a stress-free one, give Bassy’s Removals a call!

Our five-star rated team is available and ready to help with all your removals needs in Nottingham and the surrounding areas.