Moving house this August? You’re not alone. Many people choose to move house throughout August, usually due to the school summer holidays, longer daylight hours, and generally better weather. To help your move go as smoothly as possible, here are five common moving day mistakes and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
1. Not Organising Suitable Removers
Ensuring you have the correct removals company is vital for a smooth and successful move.
Ideally, you need to secure a reputable company at least 4 to 6 weeks early to avoid limited availability and last-minute stress. As many removal companies require a confirmed moving date before accepting a booking, it’s important to have this in place as early as possible. If you know anyone who has used removals companies in the past, ask for their recommendations! Was it smooth sailing? Were they careful and considerate with your belongings? Did they take everything you specified?
Ensure that you consider your options carefully by receiving quotes from multiple firms. Importantly, make sure your items are insured during transit with your selected removals firm so you have peace of mind that any loss or damage is covered.
Furthermore, don’t assume all movers will handle everything automatically. Not all removal services offer the same level of support. Some homeowners are caught out by assuming tasks like furniture dismantling, appliance disconnection, or unpacking are automatically included. Every removal company operates differently, so it’s crucial to clarify exactly what services are covered in your quote.
We recommend Alexander James Removals and Storage. They offer professional removal services to domestic and commercial customers with free no-obligation quotes and a full packing service.
2. Not Managing Utility Accounts Correctly
Waiting to set up your new energy and utility accounts until moving day is actually the correct approach. You need to have physical access to the property to take accurate opening meter readings. These readings establish exactly when your responsibility for the property begins and help ensure that you’re only charged for the energy and water that you use. On moving day, take photos of all the meters and contact the property’s current supplier to set up your account using those readings. Broadband is an important exception as installations and transfers can take several weeks. It’s usually best to contact your provider 2 to 4 weeks before moving.
However, when you move out of your current property, it’s important to notify your water, energy and utility companies in advance, ideally around two weeks before your moving date. This allows them to arrange final meter readings or account closure, issue your final bill and ensure you are not being charged for services after you have moved out. Make sure to provide a forwarding address so that any final correspondence or refunds can be sent to the correct location.
In short:
- Tell your current supplier before moving out
- Take final readings when leaving
- Take opening readings when moving in
- Contact the existing supplier at the property using those readings
- You can then switch to a different supplier if you wish (except water)
3. Keeping Unnecessary Clutter
Decluttering before you move can save both time and effort on moving day. There’s little point in packing, transporting and unpacking items you no longer need, so take the opportunity to sort through drawers, cupboards and storage spaces before the move. That junk drawer you promised you’d sort out later? Well, ‘later’ has arrived!
This is your opportunity to have a thorough fresh start, so perhaps donate, recycle or dispose of anything you no longer use and start your new chapter with a cleaner, more organised home. Not only will this reduce the amount you need to move, but it will also make unpacking and settling into your new property much quicker, seamless and less stressful.
4. Not Updating Your Address
During the chaos of moving home, you may forget to update your address. There are several people you must inform about your new address:
- Your local council (to set up your council tax account and update the electoral register to vote)
- HMRC
- DVLA
- Department for Work and Pensions (if you receive state pension or benefits)
- Telephone and broadband providers
- Insurance providers
- Banks and building societies
- Credit card providers
- Employer
- GP surgery, dentist and other healthcare provider
- Schools and childcare
* This is not an exhaustive list. Please check whether any other organisations or service providers need to be informed of your change of address
5. Not Measuring Doorways (or anything)
Before moving day, you must take measurements inside of your new property and your larger pieces of furniture to make sure you’ll be able to get them through the doorways and into the rooms. If pieces of furniture need legs or arms removed to get through, it’s best to know this in advance. Don’t forget to measure hallways, staircases, landings, and any tight corners, as these are often where problems arise. Planning ahead gives you time to disassemble furniture where necessary, arrange professional help for particularly bulky items or decide whether certain pieces may need to be replaced before moving day rather than discovering they don’t fit when you arrive.
Moving house can feel overwhelming, particularly during one of the busiest moving months of the year. However, with some planning, you can avoid many of these common pitfalls that cause unnecessary stress.
At Foreman Homes, we understand that moving home is about much more than collecting the keys. Our goal is to make every stage of the journey as straightforward and enjoyable as possible. From helping you find your dream home to providing practical advice that takes the stress out of moving, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re considering a move, explore our latest developments and discover how Foreman Homes can help you find a home you’ll love from day one.
