The Ultimate Guide to House Moving and Insurance

Moving from one property to another, locally or internationally, is expensive. However, with adequate planning, the costs can be minimal.

When you’re organized, stress is more manageable, and moving is considered one of the most stressful events we endure more often than we want.

Additionally, having a budget for the move is worthwhile. If you’re not careful, hiring removalists, paying for professional cleaning, and paying travel expenses for yourself can all add up. Create a plan that includes costs and tasks.

This property blog considers the basic move plan and the costs.

Move Plan

Starting with the move plan, here’s what we recommend you do.

Start Packing

If you can, start packing around three weeks before your moving date. You can pack plenty of things that your family won’t use during that time. A good place to start is the kids’ toys.

Most children have toys that they only play with once in a blue boon but don’t want to part with. Ask your children to help by filling boxes with things they know they won’t need. You’ll likely exchange contracts and move within the same week, sometimes the same day. So, you don’t want to leave everything until the last minute.

By doing the packing, you’re cutting down on the expense of a removal company packing your stuff.

Get moving quotes for moving and unloading, but to keep costs down, you can unpack everything and maybe get some family and friends to help move your furnishings into place and connect the basic appliances.

Tell People

As the moving date gets nearer, you must start telling people your new address, including your bank, credit card provider, schools, the DVLA, and more. It can be quite a job to inform everyone in a short space of time.

Make a list of the most important people and places so you don’t forget to tell someone. Before you leave your house, you’ll also have to inform your gas and electric suppliers and provide them with final readings so you’re not overcharged.

This is also an opportune time to swap utility providers. Do your research and choose providers that offer sign-on bonuses and options to keep costs down.

Storage

Sometimes, you must leave the home you’re vacating before your new house is ready. This is often the case when you buy a new build that is behind schedule and your move-in date is pushed out.

If you’re downsizing, then it’s probable you have more furnishing than you will need in your smaller home. It’s a good idea to declutter and sell or give items you no longer need to charities, friends, or family. However, if time is running out, store the items until you can let them go. Do your research storage solution providers.  Consider any contract carefully so you’re not locked in longer than needed.

Pack a Box of Essentials

When moving day arrives, there will be certain things you won’t want to dig around in boxes for. Keep one box in which to store moving day essentials. For example, keeping the kettle, a few mugs, and tea-making essentials on hand will make the process easier for everyone. You may also want to pack some toiletries. The point of this task is that you’ll be able to find what you need quickly rather than spending time hunting for it.

Keys

It’s usual for home buyers to pick up their new keys from estate agents or solicitors. However, there’s often only one set of keys left. When you enter your new home, check to see if spare keys have been left on the property. Similarly, if you have spare keys to your old home, you’ll need to leave them safely, out of sight from windows and doors. You may want to leave a note for the new owners to be on the safe side.

Top tip:Change the locks as soon as you can. New locks on doors and windows help lower insurance premiums. Security is your focus, especially when you have moved to a new location—one you’re not familiar with.

The Day Before

The day before you’re due to move will be busy. There will be lots to do, and you mustn’t forget certain things. For example, you must do it manually if you don’t have a self-defrosting fridge.

Defrost your fridge and freezer overnight to ensure you can safely transport them to the new house. Put some towels on the floor underneath them to catch the melting ice and water. If there’s anything left in the kitchen cupboards, it is time to pack it or throw it away. If you need documents for the move, ensure they’re prepared and kept safe.

Moving Day

All the packing should be done, and when you get to the new house, you should be ready to accept deliveries. Remember, you don’t have to unpack everything in twenty-four hours. Make sure you take breaks, eat, and drink. The best places to start unpacking are the bathroom and kitchen, so put them at the top of your to-do list.

Insurance

With your move, consider reevaluating your home insurance requirements. It’s a good time to bundle up your insurance or change providers for a better deal.

Home Contents Insurance

You may want to consider purchasing home contents insurance if you own many valuable items inside your home. This covers most valuables, including furniture, electrical goods, clothes, linen, toys, and more. It is a good option if you have valuables you are worried about but not the house itself.

Home Buildings Insurance

If you own your home, you probably know it is worth quite a lot. Houses can be expensive to build; if you’re lucky, they can often increase in value when you move out to your next home. During the moving process, you might be concerned about exposing your old home, mainly if it is older or in a location where the weather can be severe. With building insurance, if your home is damaged or destroyed, your insurance company will help you repair it or even completely rebuild it if necessary.

Landlord or Renter’s Insurance

Perhaps you aren’t a homeowner and prefer to rent? This means your contents are your most valuable assets. You can still be at risk of losing your possessions to fire, theft, or damage of some kind. With rental insurance, you can be assured that you will be covered if your property is damaged.

Renter’s insurance generally covers theft, fire, storm, earthquake, vandalism, accidental breakage, and water bursts. While this won’t ensure you have somewhere to live if your house burns down, it will protect your contents.

Possessions in Storage Units

Suppose you plan to store your possessions in a storage unit while moving temporarily. In that case, you may consider purchasing insurance or checking if your current insurance policy covers storage units.

Although storage units are generally reasonably secure facilities, they are out of your hands, and you can do nothing if somebody breaks in. If you plan on storing items of considerable value, it might be worth pricing out insurance options; this way, you are covered if anything happens.

Even though moving locally may seem fairly safe, you can never predict when something might go wrong. Weather can change rapidly, causing damage to your home or contents. If your home is not fully secured, you may have your possessions stolen, and items may be damaged or destroyed during the transportation process.

Depending on how valuable you consider your assets, it may be worth taking out insurance to give you peace of mind and ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.