House & Flat Moves
If you are moving a house or flat remember the old adage, ‘fail to plan – plan to fail’. A poorly planned move will take longer costing you more money and will mean that the unpacking at the other end will be more of a chore rather than pleasure. There are a few simple rules you should follow:
Rule 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. If you know when you are going to move it is time worth spent sifting through stuff that you are never going to use and putting it on e-bay or giving it to the local charity shop.
Rule 2 Plan your packaging
We can hire you plastic crates 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, Bedroom 1, bedroom2, Kitchen and secondly with the key items that are in the box. 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 two weeks in advance. You may have to do this at your destination address as well.
Parking Suspensions
Westminster
Tel: 020 7641 6850 Email: parkingsuspensions@westminster.gov.uk
Kensington & Chelsea
Tel: 0207 361 4380 Email: parking@rbkc.gov.uk
Hammersmith & Fulham
Tel: 020 7371 5678 Email: parking@lbhf.gov.uk
Camden
Tel: 020 7974 4646 Email: parking.solutions@camden.gov.uk
Lambeth
Tel: 020 7926 9000 ext 2 Email: ParkingEnquiries@lambeth.gov.uk
Ealing
Tel: 020 8825 6565 Email: parking.services@ealing.gov.uk
Wandsworth
Tel: 020 8871 8871 Email: parkingpermits@wandsworth.gov.uk
Richmond
Tel: 020 8891 7071 Email: parking@richmond.gov.uk
Rule 5 Utilities & Insurance
Make sure all utilities are notified before you move and that you have checked your insurances.
Rule 6 Solicitors - be patient!
If you are moving and completing the purchase of another house on the same day be prepared for delays. Conveyancing solicitors are never rushed. Don’t allow yourselves to be stressed as this situation happens all of the time and everyone involved with your move will have experienced it before.
Rule 7 Cleaning
If you can afford it, pay for a cleaning service to clean your house as you leave. Managing a move and moving in at the other end is enough stress to cope with, let alone trying to give your previous house a spring clean at the same time.
