Seven mistakes to avoid when moving home

After more than 30 years in the removals industry, I’ve seen just about every kind of house move, from small flats, and large family homes to period mansions and even the odd Castle too!

Along with my team, we’ve packed and moved almost every type of possession from concert grand pianos and fine art to decades worth of heirlooms.

Whilst every move is different, we see the same mistakes come up time and time again when people are getting ready to move home.

Moving home is stressful enough without making it harder than it needs to be, so here are seven things that I always advise people to think about before moving day arrives.

1. Choosing a removal company on price alone

This is probably the biggest and most common mistake I see. Naturally, everyone has a budget and nobody wants to pay more than they need to. But with removals, the cheapest quotation can often become the most expensive option.

Choosing a mover from price comparison sites, where companies fight to offer the cheapest possible price, usually leads to an unreliable and low quality service. Or, if one company is significantly cheaper than everyone else, ask why. Have they allowed enough staff? Is the vehicle large enough? Have they properly assessed how much you own? Is packing included? Are they insured? What happens if the move takes longer than expected?

We regularly hear from people who chose a mover because they were a few hundred pounds cheaper, only to find that the vehicle was too small, the job overran badly or the crew simply wasn’t equipped or trained for the move. Worse still, when moving day arrives, they simply do not turn up.

Price matters, but I would always look at experience, reputation, trade body membership, professionalism and what is included.”

Price matters, but I would always look at experience, reputation, trade body membership, professionalism and what is included in the quotation. Above all, trust your instincts and choose a remover that you have confidence in and never choose a mover on price.

2. Underestimating how much you own

People almost always have more belongings than they think. When you live somewhere for a number of years, you stop noticing just how much has accumulated in cupboards, lofts, sheds, garages and spare rooms. That’s why a proper survey before the move is so important.

At Redpath Moving & Storage, we can survey a property in person or by video to fully understand exactly what needs moving and what the job will involve. Getting the volume wrong can mean the wrong size vehicle, insufficient packing materials, too few movers or a move taking much longer than expected.

A good removals company should be asking plenty of questions before giving you a firm price. Remember, if you’re moving on the day of completion you’ll need to have your property empty when the sale completes (in most circumstances) so planning and preparation are essential and that’s where a good removals company really show their value with advice and guidance.

3. Leaving packing until the last minute

Packing always takes longer than people expect. I’ve walked into homes on moving morning where the customer genuinely believed they were nearly finished, only to find full kitchen cupboards, wardrobes still packed with clothes and books still on shelves.

If you’re packing yourself, start earlier than you think you need to. Begin with things you don’t use every day and work systematically through the house. It sounds silly but make sure you use proper boxes. Ask your removals company to supply them rather than sourcing them yourselves.

Overloaded boxes, weak supermarket cartons and bags full of loose belongings make items harder to protect and slower to move.”

Overloaded boxes, weak supermarket cartons and bags full of loose belongings make items harder to protect and slower to move. For anyone short on time, having the removals company pack for you can take a huge amount of pressure out of the move and leave you free to deal with other important issues in the run up to the move.

4. Forgetting about access

This is particularly important in London. Parking restrictions, narrow roads, controlled parking zones, flats without lifts, long carries from the front door and restricted loading times can all have a major impact on a move. Some areas of North and North West London can be especially challenging. A beautiful house on a narrow Hampstead street, for example, may require much more planning than a larger property with a private driveway.

Good movers think about these things before moving day. Where can the vehicle park? Are permits required? Is there room for a large removals lorry? How many flights of stairs are involved? Is there an awkward entrance or a particularly large piece of furniture? Access can completely change how a move needs to be organised.

5. Not decluttering before you move

There is very little point paying somebody to carefully pack and move belongings you no longer want. A house move is one of the best opportunities you’ll ever have to declutter. We’re always moving things from one attic straight in to another attic not to be seen again until the next move!

Go through lofts, garages, cupboards and storage spaces before the packing starts. Decide what you genuinely want to take with you and what can be sold, donated, recycled or disposed of.  It makes packing easier, reduces the volume being moved (reducing moving costs too) and means you arrive at your new home with less unnecessary clutter.

The important thing is not to leave this until the night before.

6. Forgetting that completion day can be unpredictable

One of the difficulties with moving home is that not everything is under your control. Keys can be released later than expected. Money can take time to move through the banking system. Previous owners may not vacate when anticipated (probably because they’ve made mistake 1 above).

The best moves are properly planned but not planned so tightly that one small delay causes everything to unravel.”

An experienced removals company understands this. I always tell customers that a moving day needs a degree of flexibility built into it. The best moves are properly planned but not planned so tightly that one small delay causes everything to unravel. This is also why communication between the customer, estate agent, solicitor and removals company is so important.

If you’re moving long distance, take your removals companies advice as to whether or not unloading should take place on the day of completion. Depending on the volume of the move and the distance involved, it may make sense to have a night in a hotel and unload the next morning when everyone is fresh and things feel less stressful and rushed.

7. Not checking who will actually be carrying out the move

When you appoint a removals company, you’re trusting people with virtually everything you own. That deserves some thought. Does the company you’re considering have a physical address you can actually visit? Are they members of a recognised trade body such as the British Association of Removers?

Importantly, ask about the people who will be doing the job. Are they experienced? Are they employed by the company? Are they trained? Will there be an experienced team leader on site? A professional removals crew does far more than lift boxes.

The real pros have a can-do attitude, can think on their feet and are experts at solving unexpected problems with minimal fuss. They need to protect furniture, judge difficult spaces, dismantle and rebuild items correctly, handle fragile possessions, protect the property and minimise the stress their clients are experiencing. It certainly is not unskilled work. In my experience, the quality of the people carrying out the move makes an enormous difference.

In short, a successful move is usually won before moving day. Get an accurate survey, choose your removal company carefully, start packing early, think about access and communicate with everyone involved.

Moving home will never be completely stress-free, but with the right preparation and the right team around you, it can be a great deal easier.

Dennis Rogers is Founder and Managing Director of Redpath Moving & Storage, a North London-based removals and storage company.

https://redpath.co.uk/