Moving house? Here’s a checklist to make sure everything goes smoothly

Mums Tips

Parenting Skills

Published on Friday, 20 August 2021 09:57

Last Updated on 09 February 2022

Monica Costa

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Everyone knows that moving house is a stressful experience, even when it’s just you. When you’re moving your entire family to a new home, things get a lot more frantic a lot more quickly. You are constantly being pulled by two different forces, as the need to make sure that you’ve got everything packed and ready to go in your old place is just as urgent as the need to make sure that everything is set up to avoid any disruption in your new home. When you’ve got kids to think about as well, the chances are slim that you are going to be able to take a few leisurely days off to simply focus on sorting things out.

That is why it is so important to have a clear, manageable checklist that can help you stay on top of things. We all have so much to be thinking about right now, from making sure that our kids are ready to go back to school to wondering if we are still going to be able to go to the travel destination we picked out for our holidays, that every little bit of preparation that you can do ahead of time will make a massive difference. Here are just a few of the things that you need to make sure that you have crossed off your list as you get ready to move.

 

Get Dates In The Diary

Let’s start with a simple one, shall we? While moving house is not exactly a military operation, it can certainly feel like one at times. The key to any good move is having set dates for every stage, from the day when you are going to do the final big clean to the day that you are going to get the broadband switched over. When you are going through your to-do list, try to fix a date next to each point. Things will inevitably get bumped or moved around, but at least you will have a rough framework that you can work with.

 

Remember To Register With Health Services In Your New Area

One of the most important things to remember when you move house is that you may need to register with new health service providers in your new area. Double check with your GP before you move to see if you are still within their area of service. If you need to register with a new one, talk to any friends or family in your new location to see if there is anyone they would recommend. Remember to double check with the GP to see if they are accepting new patients at the moment.

 

Another health service that it is very important to sort out as soon as possible is your new dentist. You do not want to find yourself in a dental emergency when you are not registered anywhere, so make this a priority. Look for dental practices in your area that offer a range of different services, and which make it clear that patient satisfaction is a priority. You should also check to see that they offer dental treatment for children to make sure that your family is covered. If you are looking for a Fulham dentist, for example, look for quality and customer care. Fulham Road Dental offers standard and specialist dental treatment, from teeth whitening to dental implants, and they have a patient portal that makes it easy to stay on top of your appointments.

 

Update Your Details

It’s easy enough to remember to change your address at the bank and to tell your family where you are moving to, but it is also very easy to let months go by without updating your address with important contacts. This is especially important if you have been working from home or if you run your own small business. Make a detailed list of every contact that needs to know where you have moved to and make sure that you have updated your details. This may seem like a small point in the grand scheme of things but doing it now will save you headaches further on down the line.

 

It is also really important that you notify the council of your change of address. Use the government tool to find your local council and start getting set up. You may be subject to a higher or lower council tax in your new location, but either way, they need to know where you are.

 

Find A Moving Company You Can Trust

There are so many peripheral issues that make moving house stressful, but you cannot afford to neglect the actual act of moving itself. Talk to people you know who have moved recently to try and find the best moving company you can. Check local message boards and social media profiles for any reviews that you can find. Don’t be afraid to call up and ask questions about the kind of vehicles that they can offer, what times they can guarantee, and so on. There is enough stress going on around the move that you don’t want to be wondering where that moving van is.

 

Make Sure You Have The First Night Gear Sorted

The big moving day is always a long and stressful one, especially when you have children to think about. That is why it is really important that you make sure that you have everything you need for the first night close to hand. We are talking about any bedding that they might need, toothbrush and toothpaste, and all the basic essentials like loo roll and tea bags. Speaking of tea bags, you need to make sure that the kettle is easy to find when you get there because you are going to need a brew! So, when you’re packing, make sure that there is a clearly marked box for everything that you will need on that first night to save you rummaging around.

 

Find Out Where The Nearest Shop Is

Inevitably, there will always be something that you need to run out and get on that first day, even if you are planning to order a takeaway for that first night tea. Before you move, check to find out where your nearest supermarket is just in case you need to pick up some bread and milk in a hurry. Beyond the supermarket, it also helps to get a lay of the land as early as possible to help you settle in.

 

Don’t Forget The Final Clean

This is often the final thing on the checklist, but it is an important one. Remember that if you are renting, some landlords will use any excuse to take money out of your deposit so don’t give it to them. It’s also important, given that we are still in a pandemic and cases are going up, that you thoroughly clean your old place and your new home. Start from the top and work your way down and assign family members tasks to help things go more quickly. Commonly used surfaces are important when it comes to germs, so pay attention to door handles and faucets. Don’t forget the inside of the oven, and if you have a pet, it may be worth hiring a professional cleaner to make sure that every base is covered.