Moving Checklist

There’s probably a lot on your mind before moving home, deposits or mortgages to be finalised, perhaps having to find new schools for children and a host of other things. So you need to find time to put together a plan to help things go as smoothly as possible and the earlier start on your plan, the easier everything will be and the more money you’ll save.

So here are a few tips to get you going:

Tip 1 Get rid of unnecessary possessions

We have moved people over the years where the same possessions have been moved from loft to loft cluttering up a succession of houses. Don’t kid yourself that it’s insulation; it is going to cost you money to move it. So start on the loft early (and garages and cupboards) and start sifting through stuff that you’re never going to use or wear again.

Turn the best of it into money by taking it to a boot fair or selling it on e-bay. If you don’t have time for this, be generous and donate it to a local charity shop in New Malden. Most items that are not fit for reselling can be recycled locally or at the Villiers Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre. You can find where these are on our New Malden Links page.

Rule 2 Plan your packaging

You can hire plastic crates from us or you may choose to purchase your own storage boxes, tape and bubble wrap. If you are working to a tight budget you may opt to collect boxes that are being thrown out at the local supermarket.

Rule 3 Mark every box

Buy some marker pens and take your time to mark up each box. Firstly with the room it is going to be going into, e.g. Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2, etc. and secondly with the key items that are in the box, e.g. books, crockery, DVD’s. There is nothing more frustrating than ‘losing’ a box in your new home and having to rifle through boxes that you would have otherwise not opened.

Rule 4 Reserve Parking

If you have residents parking, you will need to speak to the local council and suspend the parking bay to allow access for the removal vans. You should do this at least one week in advance if you live in New Malden. You may have to do this at your destination address as well. You can find out how to do this via our New Malden Links page.