A tip list for moving In & Out, by the team at Greeklist.
1. Time to move
Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of London or settling into a charming village in the countryside, moving house in the UK can be an exciting yet daunting experience. This comprehensive guide equips you with the essential tools and insider tips to conquer your move, both when leaving your current residence and settling into your new one. From decluttering strategies and packing hacks to navigating utilities and securing parking permits, we’ll ensure a smooth transition – all tailored for the unique considerations of moving within London or across the UK.
2. Tips for Moving Out
- Declutter and Downsize: Before the boxes appear, tackle the dreaded decluttering. Sort ruthlessly, donating, selling, or recycling unwanted items. A lighter load means less packing and a potentially cheaper removal van!
- Create a Moving Checklist and Timeline: Stay organised with a comprehensive checklist that outlines tasks, deadlines, and important contacts (removal company, utility providers, etc.).
- Gather Packing Supplies: Invest in good quality packing materials like strong boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and permanent markers. A box cutter and trash bags will also come in handy. Consider renting a furniture dolly and furniture pads to protect your belongings and make lifting easier.
- Pack an Essentials Bag: Pack a designated “essentials” box containing toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, and snacks for easy access on moving day and the first night in your new home.
- Deep Cleaning Before the Movers Arrive: Give your entire place a thorough cleaning, including wiping down surfaces, vacuuming carpets, and cleaning out the oven and refrigerator. This will make the handover to the new tenants or landlord much smoother, potentially avoiding any cleaning fees stipulated in your tenancy agreement.
- Schedule Utilities Shut-Off and Forwarding: Contact utility providers (gas, electricity, water) to schedule the disconnection of services at your current residence on the move-out date. You may also want to consider forwarding your mail to your new address.
- Collect and Return Deposits: Don’t forget to request the return of your security deposit from your landlord after the final inspection. Ensure you have returned any keys or access fobs to the property.
3. Tips for Moving In
- Book Movers, Cleaners, or Handymen in Advance: Especially during peak moving seasons, booking removal companies, cleaners, or handymen well in advance is essential to secure their services on your moving day.
- Deep Clean Before Settling In: Even if the previous occupant cleaned, give your new place a thorough clean, focusing on areas that may be neglected during standard cleaning routines. This ensures a fresh start and removes any lingering dust or allergens, especially important if you have allergies.
- Parking Permits: Research parking permit options in your new neighbourhood, especially important in London with resident parking zones.
- Schedule Utilities Turn-On: Contact utility providers to schedule the connection of gas, electricity, and water services at your new home ahead of time.
- Unpack Methodically: Label each box clearly with the room it’s destined for and a description of the contents. Unpack like items together (kitchen items go in the kitchen, books go in the bookshelf) to streamline the process and avoid creating clutter.
- Change of Address: Update your address with relevant institutions like banks, insurance companies, and your doctor to ensure seamless communication.
- Insurance: Consider temporary moving insurance to protect your belongings during transit.
4. Packing Hacks before moving houses
Maximise space and minimise frustration with these packing tricks!
- Space-Saving Clothes Packing: Ditch the bulky folding and roll your clothes instead! Rolling clothes minimizes wrinkles and saves space in boxes. Start by laying the garment flat, fold the sleeves inwards, then tightly roll from the bottom up.
- Shoe Box Savvy: Don’t waste precious box space on delicate shoes. Utilize empty shoe boxes to store socks, scarves, or other small, easily lost items.
- Leakproof Protection: For extra security against spills or leaks in your boxes, line the bottoms with plastic bin liners or garbage bags. This is especially helpful for packing items like toiletries or cleaning products.
5. Cleaning Hacks before moving
Move out smoothly and move in hygienically with these cleaning tips!
- Airborne Dust Buster: Before unpacking anything, run an air purifier for a few hours to remove any lingering dust particles that may have settled during the previous occupant’s stay. This is especially helpful for allergy sufferers.
- Light Fixture Love: Don’t underestimate the grime that can build up on light fixtures. Wipe down ceiling fans, light switches, and lampshades with a damp microfiber cloth to brighten up the space and ensure optimal lighting.
- Deep Clean the Kitchen and Bathroom: While the previous occupant may have cleaned, give the kitchen and bathroom a thorough scrub. Focus on areas that might be neglected during a regular clean, such as the inside of cabinets, appliance exteriors (especially behind and underneath them), and around the toilet base. This ensures a fresh and hygienic start in your new home.
For more cleaning tips, don’t miss our special cleaning guide!
6. The best Greek moving companies in the UK
Moving In & Out will be much easier, if you trust the professionals, such as:
Metafores YaSatrans
Metafores by YaSaTrans was established in 2002 by Panos Giantzides. Panos, who had already been working in the transport industry, established Metafores YaSaTrans to provide an affordable and cost-effective way, initially for students to transport their belongings back to Greece and Cyprus.
Contact Information
- +44 (0)870 7565975 | +44 (0) 7900 594910
- info@metafores.co.uk
- 12 Cringle Cl, Bolton
SPOURGITIS TRANS
Spourgitis Trans is pleased to inform you that if you are a private individual we can undertake your desired shipment to and from the UK without any additional customs clearance costs through our new all-inclusive service.
Contact Information
- +302103424808 | +442031293658 | +35725010557
- info@spourgitis.gr
AG & ES Transport LTD
The company mainly operates in England in terms of transportation but also undertakes the transport of entire household goods in Europe, such as Greece, Switzerland and other countries. In addition, AG&ES Transport LTD is one of the few that undertakes the transport of pets between the UK – Greece and EU countries without the owner being present.
Contact Information
- +44 (0) 74724 28898
- agrondd@hotmail.com
- London, Greater London
For more transportation and shipping companies in the UK, check here!
7. Setting a Timeline for moving In & Out
Here we put our tips on practice, as we have prepared for you a 8-week plan!
Timeframe | Task |
8 Weeks Before | – Set Your Date & Budget: Confirm moving date and budget. |
– Book Your Movers: Research and secure movers. | |
– Start Decluttering: Sort and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. | |
– Gather Supplies: Collect boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. | |
6 Weeks Before | – Notifications: Notify landlord, utility providers, subscriptions, banks, and insurance. |
– Mail Redirection: Set up forwarding to your new address. | |
4 Weeks Before | – Measurements: Ensure large furniture will fit in the new space. |
– Start Packing: Begin with non-essential items. | |
– Inventory: List or photograph belongings, especially valuables. | |
– Deep Clean: Clean your old space gradually. | |
2 Weeks Before | – Confirm with Movers: Verify details with your moving company. |
– “Essentials” Box: Pack necessities for the first days after the move. | |
– Food: Use up perishables and pantry items. | |
1 Week Before | – Defrost Freezer: Clean your refrigerator/freezer. |
– Disassemble Furniture: Prepare items for moving. | |
– Valuables: Pack and plan to transport them yourself. | |
Moving Day | – Final Cleaning: Do a last sweep for forgotten items. |
– Supervise Movers: Direct movers at the new place. | |
– Final Meter Readings: Record water, electric, and gas readings. | |
– Lock Up: Secure the old place and hand over keys. | |
At Your New Place | – Placement Check: Ensure items are in the correct rooms. |
– Utilities: Check connections. | |
– Unpack Essentials: Start unpacking the essentials box. | |
– Prioritize: Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first. | |
Additional Considerations | – Storage: Arrange if needed. |
– Children/Pets: Ensure their safety on moving day. | |
– Medications: Keep them accessible. | |
– Parking: Arrange spots for the moving truck at both addresses. |
8. Moving made easy!
By following these comprehensive tips and utilising the handy hacks, you’ve transformed a potentially overwhelming move into a well-organised and stress-free experience.. So, grab your essentials box, take a deep breath, and get ready for an exciting new chapter in your journey!
And don’t forget to sit back and relax, after the moving is over, by enjoying an authentic Greek Coffee!