On paper, moving day is simple. A van turns up at 8 a.m., your belongings go in the back, and you end up having a cup of tea in the new place by mid-afternoon.
In reality, most moves hit a snag or two along the way. You might suddenly discover that the sofa is 5 cm wider than the front door or that the van has nowhere to park.
Luckily, most of these problems are easy to avoid if you plan ahead. So, before you tape up the first box, keep reading to find out how you can keep your move on track.
Book Your Removals Team Early
Once you have a moving date, start looking for a removals company straight away. Fridays and month-ends get booked up first, so arrange your move 4–6 weeks in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred date.
If you run a quick search for ‘removals Croydon,’ you’ll find plenty of reputable teams. Pick a removal company with solid reviews that offers a survey or video call first, because surprise charges are the last thing you’d want to deal with on the big day.
Use that call to ask what’s included, too. Packing, furniture dismantling, and insurance coverage vary from one company to the next.
Declutter Before Packing
It’s time to decide what you’re taking with you. There’s little point paying to move a bread maker you last used in 2019 or the exercise bike you now hang coats on.
So, work through your home one room at a time and set aside anything you no longer use.
You can sell pieces that are in good condition on Facebook Marketplace. Some charities like the British Heart Foundation offer to collect furniture from your home for free as well.
Once you’ve cleared out those extra items, update your removals team. Most quotes are based on volume, so a lighter load could mean a lower price.
Pack Room by Room
Now that you’re only packing the items you want, how do you stop your house from filling up with half-full boxes? Finish one room before you start the next, and begin with the areas you use the least.
Write the room and its contents on the side of every container, since you won’t be able to see the top once the boxes are stacked. Keep each box light enough to lift, too, with books in the small boxes and duvets in the large ones.
With clear labels, your removals team will know where everything should go without asking you. And as a bonus, you’ll be able to find your cutlery on the first night.
Protect Fragile and Valuable Items
A single sheet of old newspaper usually isn’t enough to protect your grandmum’s china set or your favourite wine glasses from getting knocked about in transit.
To avoid accidents, wrap glasses and plates in packing paper, prop the plates on their edges, and fill any gaps with tea towels. Then, mark these boxes as fragile and point them out to the crew before loading starts.
When it comes to the items that are truly priceless or irreplaceable, like jewellery, birth certificates, and family heirlooms, keep them with you in your car.
You should also check the fine print on the removal company’s insurance policy, because coverage for the boxes you’ve packed yourself can sometimes be unexpectedly limited.
Prepare Large Furniture and Appliances
Packing smaller items is the easy part, but what about the things that are too big or heavy to box up? Wardrobes, bed frames, and bulky sofas almost always take longer to move than expected.
So, ask your team in advance whether dismantling and reassembly are included in your quote. And if you take anything apart yourself, put all the screws in a labelled bag and tape it securely to the frame. This way, you won’t have to hunt for bolts at bedtime.
Make sure your appliances are ready to go, too. Defrost the freezer a day or two before the move and disconnect the washing machine the night before.
Tell Your Removals Team About Access and Parking
Now, think about how you’ll move everything from your front door to the van. Croydon has everything from tower-block flats with a single lift to Victorian terraces on narrow, permit-only streets, and each one calls for a different plan.
Let your removals company know about stairs, lift sizes, and shared entrances at both ends. If your building has a management company, ask whether you need to book the lift.
Don’t forget about parking, either. Your removals team will need a space right outside, or they’ll spend half the morning carrying boxes down the street. If you live in a controlled zone, ask the council about suspending a bay as soon as your date is confirmed.
Keep Important Documents and Essentials Separate
On the last night before your move, nearly everything you own should be packed and labelled. However, there are a few things you’ll want to keep close.
Pack a bag with your ID, keys, moving paperwork, medication, chargers, and a change of clothes. Keep this bag in your car or somewhere you can easily reach. That way, you won’t have to tear open 15 taped boxes at night just to find a phone charger.
Pack a dedicated ‘first night’ box as well, containing the kettle, mugs, tea bags, toilet roll, and bedding, and ask the crew to load it onto the van last.
Plan Around Children and Pets
Moving day can be overwhelming for young kids and pets, especially with strangers marching in and out.
If a friend or relative offers to watch them for the day, take them up on it. However, if they have to stay with you, set aside one quiet room for them. Leave snacks and a few toys in there for the kids, along with a bed and a water bowl for your pets.
Finally, put a polite note on the door asking the removals crew to leave that room for last. You’ll be able to focus on the logistics without having to keep an eye on your kids and pets every time someone opens the door.
Keep Your Moving Day Schedule Realistic
With everyone accounted for, it’s time to plan your moving-day schedule.
If you’re buying a home, key release often happens around lunchtime or early afternoon. So, agree on a start time with your removals team that aligns with that timeline, and ask upfront if they charge waiting fees if key releases get delayed.
Check the route on the day as well. Local roadworks or a jammed Purley Way can easily add 30 minutes to a quick trip across town. And if the weather forecast predicts rain, lay down old towels in the hallway before the movers start hauling boxes.
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend moving day stuck on the stairs with a wardrobe while the van circles the block. With a bit of planning, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle on the day.
So, book your slot early and share all the important details with your removals team. By the evening, you’ll be in your new living room, enjoying a cup of tea.
