Friday 22 February 2013

Van Man Makes Light of a Moving Situation

Or how to enjoy your home removal.


If I had a penny for - no let's say a pound (keeping inflation in mind here)  every time a householder quips "Sorry I'm a little disorganised, didn't realised I had so much stuff..." well I think you get my drift. I generally feel that apologies are seldom needed or warranted most of the time, for a seasoned van man working in London such as myself it's par for the course.Yes moving home can be a chore and the challenge starts when that initial decision has been made to relocate. By comparison the moving part is just the final hurdle on a straight run with the wind behind you and just to further reinforce my personal view, it's a down hill bike ride too.
  • In the Beginning

Let's break it all down from start to finish and all will be explained. You've spent weeks maybe months trawling through a list of estate agents and properties advertised in London on their books, setting up viewings before committing to a sale or rent . For some this is only possible at weekends or evenings, a lot of spare time otherwise spent relaxing at home or at play is used up. Finally you find the right property- well I say the right property but I suspect with some compromising along the way or you'll still be looking well in to the next year for that perfect affordable property. Arriving at this point it's no wonder that the first signs of stress and fatigue may start to appear.
  • Neither Here or There

If ever there was a time when you feel a tinged unsettled it has to be between moving homes. I suppose it may have a little to do with the anticipation and excitement of living some were new and different, in the mean it can be a time of limbo. Keeping busy at this stage certainly helps, if you are buying a property then all going well with the legal work you will on average have between five to six weeks to pack and prepare. Start early with a few hours here and there, perhaps going through belongings and getting rid of stuff you haven't used in years. It's an ideal time to de-clutter and take stock, why burden yourself with the extra packing then having to find space to hide it all again in your new place.
  • Start Here

Remember you do have time on your hands to sort the packing so a gentle pace is afforded if you start early. It can also be a fun time going through old belongings leisurely whether its a record collection, your wardrobe ("Did I really wear that") or just coming across old family photographs. You will also need to start thinking about sourcing packing materials such as boxes, bubble-wrap and tape, there are plenty of supplier's advertising on the web who can forward orders via post.
  • Getting There

Two weeks prior to a home removal is a good time to start your packing. Start by choosing some space in a room were you can place your packed boxes and wrapped items out of the way and ready to go on moving day. Pack the stuff you are not going to need for a couple of weeks. These can include picture frames, wall mirrors, ornaments, books, certain clothes and any kitchenware etc. It really will help you save time in the long run. Moving on to other tasks you will also have to advise change of address to your bank and any utility companies you are using. If you are considering using a Man with a Van service It's an ideal time to start searching and booking him early. If you leave it last minute you may find your preferred van man unavailable due to other commitments. Also consider whether you will need an extra man to assist with the loading, an option some services provide. It may not be necessary in some cases, if you are relatively fit or can rope in a friend or two to help then this will save you money.
  • Get your Move On

Your moving day finally arrives and all is packed and ready to go, being well prepared for the actual physical move is one less thing to worry about now. It's normal to still feel a little stressed even after arriving at this stage, there are possible delays specially when purchasing a property. The usual scenario someone on the legal side of things or at the financial end is away from their desk so by stalling the final key completion process. These are things outside your immediate control but a couple of phone calls should reassure. A good man and van service will see your home removal through to the end, rest assured.