A calm move starts with a few simple steps in the weeks before. First, go through your home room by room and decide what you really want to take. Sell, give away or recycle the rest. The less you move, the less time it takes and the less it costs.
Next, book your move as early as you can. Popular days, such as Fridays and the end of the month, fill up fast. Once your date is set, tell your bank, your doctor, your energy and water firms and the council about your new address. Set up post forwarding so nothing goes astray.
Then start packing the things you use least, such as books, spare bedding and ornaments. Label each box with the room it is going to and a short note of what is inside. Keep a box of essentials apart from the rest. Put in your keys, chargers, medicine, a kettle, mugs and a change of clothes. Keep this box with you on the day.
Finally, check the access at both homes. Can a van park near the door? Is there a lift, and does it need booking? Are there tight stairs or narrow halls? Let us know, and we will bring the right kit and the right number of movers.
Our team arrives at the time we agreed and walks round your home with you. We check what is going, what is staying and anything that needs extra care. We then protect floors, doors and banisters before we start to carry things out.
Large items, such as beds and wardrobes, can be taken apart if they will not fit through doors. We keep all the screws and fixings in labelled bags. Fragile things are wrapped and packed tightly, and furniture is covered with blankets so it does not get scratched on the road.
At your new home, we place each box and each piece of furniture in the right room. We put your furniture back together, and if you ask, we can take away the empty boxes and packing waste. Before we leave, we walk round with you to make sure you are happy.
If your new home is not ready, we can take your things straight to our secure storage instead. We list what goes into storage, so you know exactly what we are holding for you. When the time comes, we bring it all to your new address and set it up just as we would on a normal moving day. Call us on 07428474474 or 02080444474 to talk it through.
One common mistake is leaving packing until the last few days. It always takes longer than you think. Start early, and pack a few boxes each day. If time is short, our packing service can do it for you.
Another mistake is using weak or second-hand boxes that split under weight. Use strong boxes, put heavy things like books in small boxes and light things in large ones. Do not overfill a box so the lid bulges, as it will not stack well in the van.
Many people also forget to measure their large furniture and the doors at their new home. A sofa that will not fit through the door can cause a long delay. Measure in good time, and tell us about anything that may be a tight fit.
Finally, do not forget to plan for children and pets on the day. A busy home with open doors is not a safe place for them. Ask a friend to help, or set aside a quiet room with the door closed until the van is loaded.
Call us on 07428474474 or 02080444474, email info@elitemoving.co.uk or use our contact page. Tell us where you are moving from and to, roughly how much you have and your ideal date. We may ask for a short video or a home visit, and then we send you a clear written quote.
A man and van suits small moves, such as a studio flat, a student room or a few large items. It is quick to book and often costs less than a full removal team. If you are moving a whole house, we will suggest a bigger vehicle and more movers so the job is done in one go.
Yes. We offer a full packing service, where our team wraps and boxes your whole home, or a fragile-only service for glass, china and pictures. We bring strong boxes, tape and wrap, and we label each box by room. This saves you time and helps keep your things safe on the road.
We can keep your things in our secure storage until your new home is ready. This is handy when sale and purchase dates do not match, or when building work runs late. When you have your keys, we bring everything round, carry it to the right rooms and put your furniture back together.