Moving house is widely recognised as one of life’s top stressors. According to the NHS’s “Every Mind Matters” campaign, major life changes like moving can significantly impact mental health and overall well-being. Preparing and packing for a house move can be complex and daunting, which is why being organised and well-prepared is essential.
As a trusted and experienced provider of affordable van hire in South London and Croydon, we’ve gained valuable insights over the years about how to make moving house as smooth and efficient as possible. In this article, we’ve compiled everything you need to know for a seamless, stress-free move—from planning and packing to hiring the right services and tackling moving day like a pro.
By the end, you’ll feel confident, informed, and ready to get started!
Planning Your Move
Decide On A Moving Date
Your moving date will depend on your circumstances—whether you are part of a property chain, renting, or moving into temporary accommodation. In some cases, you may have the opportunity to choose or influence the date. If so, take advantage of this flexibility to select a date that suits both your schedule and budget. Consider these key factors when deciding:
- Moving on a weekday is often cheaper than weekends, as demand for services like van hire or removals is lower.
- Avoid peak times, such as the end of the month or during holidays, when prices and availability can be more challenging.
- Booking moving services well in advance can help you secure better rates and reduce stress as your moving day approaches.
Being strategic about your moving date can save you time, money, and hassle, setting the stage for a smoother transition.
Create A Moving Checklist
As soon as you know your moving date, start writing down what you need to do and when. Create yourself a detailed moving timeline. View and download our sample checklist for a stress free 4-week move to help you.
Budgeting For Your Move
There are different removal options to suit a variety of budgets and requirements. You could opt for a professional removal company to help you load and unload furniture and boxes you’ve packed yourself, or you could request that the company also packs everything up for you if they offer that service. Alternatively, you may be able to pack and move yourself by hiring a van on either a short- or long-term basis. Whichever method you choose, get a selection of quotes, and go with the one you feel is better suited to your move, rather than the cheapest. Typical costs to consider when moving house are:
- Transportation costs
- Packing services
- Labour costs
- Storage services (if required)
- Insurance
- Specialised services (if required) for fragile or bulky items
- Charges relating to property accessibility
View our guide on Understanding House Removals Cost for an in-depth guide to the factors influencing costs, average prices, and practical money-saving tips and advice.
Top 5 Money Saving Tips
- 1) Declutter. Sell, donate, or recycle unwanted items to reduce packing and transport costs.
- 2) Use free or second-hand supplies. Collect free boxes from shops or Facebook groups and repurpose items like suitcases and towels for packing. Zipped laundry bags/big blue IKEA bags are ideal for moving linens, clothes, coats and shoes and other non-breakables.
- 3) DIY with van hire. Renting an affordable van and move your belongings yourself. If your move isn’t local, consider hiring a van on a long-term basis, so you can move your belongings over a few weeks if preferred.
- 4) Cancel or transfer subscriptions. Stop paying for services at your old address.
- 5) Move off-peak: Avoid weekends, holidays, or month-ends to save on removal services.
Preparing For Moving Day
Declutter, declutter, declutter!
Start decluttering your home as early as possible to make the moving process smoother. Focus on areas that often take the most time, such as the loft, garage, and garden furniture or storage.
Decide what to keep, donate, sell, or recycle early in the process—it’s a game-changer when it’s time to pack. Not only will this make packing easier, but it also means:
- A lighter load to transport.
- Lower moving costs.
- A fresh, clutter-free start in your new home.
Getting organised now will save you time, money, and stress later!
Packing Tips
If you are packing up your belongings yourself, try not to leave it to the last minute. While the size of the task may feel daunting, if you break it down over several weeks, it will feel more achievable. This does of course mean being organised.
- Start with the areas of your home that you do not use every day such as the loft and garage. The last things to pack will be the things you use the most like your cooking utensils and TV!
- Don’t forget to label boxes by room and contents. It sounds obvious but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get carried away and forget! A top tip is to put the labels on more than one side of the box so you can easily see what is inside when they are stacked up or out of reach.
- Make sure you have plenty of sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape and pens and get all your friends and family involved to ease the workload. For the eco-conscious amongst you, opt for reusable crates.
Informing Utilities And Services
When moving home, it is essential to notify service providers. Here’s a handy checklist of who to notify of your move:
- Electricity and gas suppliers – provide your final meter readings and new address for your final bill.
- Water supplier
- Internet, phone, and TV providers – transfer or cancel services.
- Council tax office – inform your local council to stop payments at your old property and set up payments for your new address.
- Banks/building society
- Pension providers
- Credit card companies
- HMRC (Tax Office)
- Student loans company (if applicable)
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Life, health, or travel insurance
- TV licence
- Streaming services
- Gym memberships
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions
- Your employer
- Schools/Universities
- GP/Doctor/Dentist/Opticians/Vet
- DVLA
- Electoral register
- Passport office
- Loyalty cards/online retailers
- Charities/professional bodies
- And last, but not least…
- Friends and family!
Top Tip!
Setting up a mail redirection service through the Royal Mail can help catch anything you’ve missed while notifying everyone on this list.
How To Set Up Redirection For Mail
The Royal Mail offers a simple service for redirecting your mail to your new address. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Plan: It’s best to set up mail redirection at least 5 working days before your move, though you can apply up to 3 months in advance. You can choose to redirect your mail for 3, 6, or 12 months, with the option to extend later.
- Gather the necessary information: You’ll need your old and new address, the names of everyone whose mail needs redirecting, a valid payment method (debit/credit card or PayPal).
- Apply for mail redirection:
- – online at the Royal Mail Redirection Service website
- – in-branch – pick up a redirection application form from your local Post Office.
- Costs: The cost depends on the duration and number of people.
- Wait for confirmation: Your redirection will usually start within 5 working days of submitting your application. You’ll receive a letter or email confirming the service start date.
- Notify senders of your move: While mail redirection is a great safety net, it’s important to update your address directly with banks, utilities, employers, and other key contacts to avoid long-term reliance on the service.
Choosing The Right Moving Solution
When it comes to moving house, choosing the right approach is key for minimising stress.
One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a van and handle the move yourself or hire professional movers.
Van Hire
Van hire is a cost-effective solution, particularly for smaller moves or if you’re on a budget. With van hire, you’re in control of your schedule and can often save significantly by packing and loading yourself. Pace Van Hire offers reliable, flexible, and affordable van hire options, making it ideal for individuals who want to stay hands-on.
Professional Movers
While convenient for larger or more complex moves, hiring movers can be expensive. It’s best suited for those with time constraints or requiring heavy lifting assistance.
Van Size
Choosing the right van size is crucial to ensure everything fits while avoiding unnecessary costs. For example:
- A small van may suffice for a flat or minimal belongings.
- A medium-sized van works well for a 1–2-bedroom home.
- A large Luton van is ideal for 3-bedroom houses or moves involving bulky furniture.
Visit Pace Van Hire for a detailed guide on van dimensions, payloads, and pricing to help you select the perfect size.
Insurance And Safety Considerations
When hiring a van, insurance is essential for peace of mind. At Pace Van Hire, short-term hire includes insurance as standard. Long term van hire does not include insurance.
Safety Tips for Van Hire
- Load heavy items first and distribute weight evenly.
- Secure items to prevent shifting during transit.
- Familiarise yourself with the van’s dimensions before driving.
For more detailed advice, check out Pace’s blogs on safe loading and safe driving.
Moving Day Tips
Here are our 4 top tips for a seamless move day:
- Load the van strategically. Heavier items, like appliances and furniture, should go at the back of the van with the weight distributed as evenly as possible. Use trolleys to minimise carrying and lifting and use straps/bungee cords to secure items during transit. Keep fragile boxes on top and clearly label them for extra care.
- Have an “essentials box” packed for immediate access. Things like: Phones, phone chargers, remote controls, and if you have teenagers…gaming devices! A kettle, tea, coffee and at the last minute – milk, and a packet of biscuits always goes down a treat on move day too – you need to keep your energy up! Valuables, and important papers need to be close to hand too.
- Check and check again before you leave! Walk through your old property one final time to ensure nothing is left behind. Check cupboards, drawers, and hidden areas like lofts or sheds. Don’t forget to turn off utilities, lock doors, and hand over keys if required.
- Prioritise making your bed when you arrive at your new place! You’ll be grateful after a long, physical day!
We hope that with all these tips, you will feel more assured that moving house doesn’t need to be stressful with the right preparation and a positive attitude.
Ready for a DIY move? Contact Pace Van Hire today for affordable, stress-free van hire options tailored to your needs.
