PROFESSIONAL HOME MOVERS
packing
Our team of skilled and experienced packers will arrive at your home equipped with the most up-to-date and approved packing materials to efficiently pack all of your belongings
clearance
Our clearance service is designed to provide comprehensive and efficient removal of your unwanted items. Whether it's a full house, apartment, garage, or just a few items, we will handle it with care
commercial
Let us take care of your commercial move with our experienced team. We will ensure a seamless transition from your old office to your new one, including the safe and efficient relocation of your furniture and equipment
domestic
Choose us for a professional, experienced, and reputable domestic removal service. Our team specializes in moving homes, apartments, and bungalows anywhere in the country, providing a seamless and stress-free experience
local
Our local moving services are focused within the M25, London, and Kent, and we cater to areas within a radius of 30 miles from our Swanley depot. Local areas include; Orpington, Bromley, Sidcup, Bexley & also those areas in Kent such as; Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone.
long
Our long-distance moving services encompass the entire nation, including Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, delivering a smooth and efficient relocation for you
storage
Let us take care of your storage needs while you wait to move into your new property. Our storage solutions are versatile and can accommodate any number of items, regardless of size or quantity
equipment
Our skilled team is equipped with the necessary expertise and resources to handle moves of any size, including the safe transportation and placement of large items like pianos and American style fridges. No matter the size of the item, we have the ability to relocate it for you
well we have one of them too...
Need a man in a van?
MOVING CHECKLIST
So, you're planning to move to a new house and feeling overwhelmed about how to get started with the planning and organization?
Don't worry, we're here to assist you!
2 months before moving
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Begin the decluttering process by getting rid of items you won't need in your new home, such as by throwing them away, donating them, or selling them.
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If you are a tenant, make sure to notify your landlord in a timely manner using the proper channels to avoid any legal issues with your tenancy.
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Review your tenancy agreement for information on your deposit protection.
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Research your new area to familiarize yourself with local businesses, restaurants, leisure centers, and schools.
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Start gathering materials for your move, such as boxes, packaging, and storage/bin bags.
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Don't forget to inform your landline phone provider of your move at least a month in advance if you are cancelling service.
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Also, notify your internet provider in a timely manner to ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
1 month before moving
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Get in touch with our team to schedule the removal and transportation of your belongings.
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Ensure that there are no parking restrictions at both your old and new addresses, as a moving truck can occupy a significant amount of space.
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Update your address with the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
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Notify your new local council so that you can vote at your new address.
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Inform the appropriate authorities for tax purposes.
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Transfer your homeowners or renters insurance to your new home.
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Organize your mail redirection service to ensure that you receive all your mail at your new address.
2 weeks before moving
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Make sure your car is in good condition and has been serviced, especially if you are moving a long distance.
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Make arrangements for the care of children and/or pets on the day of the move.
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Stop newspaper and milk deliveries by informing the relevant persons.
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Deregister from your current doctor and find a new one in your new area.
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Forward copies of your children's school records to their new school.
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Update your driving license and vehicle registration certificate with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
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Request time off from work for the moving day.
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If needed, book a storage unit with us to accommodate any extra items.
1 week before moving
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Confirm the date and time of your move with us and provide updated directions for a final review.
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Schedule a lock change with a locksmith for your new home.
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Begin disassembling any flat-pack furniture that you plan to bring with you.
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Secure valuable items such as jewelry, important documents, and other valuables in a safety deposit box.
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If you are renting, schedule a final walk-through with your landlord to reclaim your security deposit.
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Also dismantle any fitted items that you plan to bring, such as shelves and framed pictures.
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Fill any nail holes with soap before conducting the final walk-through with your landlord.
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Provide entertainment for kids, such as coloring books, crayons, and games to keep them occupied.
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Don't forget to update your TV license, as it won't change automatically, and you may face a fine of up to £1,000.
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Return any borrowed items to friends and neighbors.
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Pay the council taxes for the property you are moving from up until the date of the move
3 days before moving
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Complete laundry for the upcoming week
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Label spare keys of your old residence and leave them in a visible location
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Pack a box of essential items for your first few days, such as toiletries, light bulbs, a first aid kit, etc.
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Create a list of contacts and services you will need to reach in the initial days of moving
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Notify both your current and new electricity providers of your move and new address, giving at least 2 days notice
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Notify both your current and new gas providers of your move and new address, giving at least 2 days notice
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Advise both your current and new water authorities of your move and new address, giving at least 2 days notice
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Measure entryways, stairways, and elevators at your new residence to ensure all your furniture will fit, measure twice to avoid mistakes during the move.
2 days before moving
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Reach out to your estate agent/landlord to determine when you'll receive the keys to your new home, in case they haven't been provided yet.
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Set aside your important documents and valuables to avoid misplacing them during the move.
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Disconnect appliances such as gas cookers, dishwashers, and washing machines that you plan to take with you.
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Set aside cash for tips for movers, food, and any last-minute expenses.
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Clean out your cabinets, discarding expired food, and ensure all packaged items are securely packed.
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Document the wiring of your electronics, whether you're tech-savvy or not, to simplify reconnection at your new location.
1 day before moving
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Empty and defrost your fridge/freezer, as moving it may require more preparation.
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Pack everything except essential items in the kitchen and bathroom, or use our packing services which includes all packing materials.
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Label all hardware in labeled baggies for easy furniture assembly.
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Use color-coded stickers to label boxes according to their destination room.
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Mark boxes containing fragile items.
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Do a final check of all drawers, closets, cabinets, and the garage to ensure nothing is forgotten.
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Charge your phone.
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Prepare a snack box with dry food and drinks for the moving day.
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Get a good night's sleep.
MOVING DAY!
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Direct the removal team to the boxes that need to be transported.
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Arrange for children and/or pets to be at the designated locations.
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Perform a final cleaning of the property.
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Record the readings of all meters.
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Offer refreshments to the movers, they would really appreciate it!
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Ensure all windows and doors are locked and secured.
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Take photos of the property before leaving as proof of its move-out condition.
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Conduct a final check of the entire property, including the garden.
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Pack the last-minute items from the bathroom like toothbrushes, perfumes, hair conditioners, etc.
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Place your last-night sleepwear on top of the “Bedroom” box.
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After everything is unloaded, make one last check on the removals van for anything forgotten.
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Take a break, order a takeaway, and enjoy your new home!
1 DAY AFTER MOVING DAY
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Unpack essential items first such as bedding, toiletries, and kitchen essentials.
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Set up the bed for a good night's sleep.
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Start unpacking boxes and labeling rooms to place items in their designated area.
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Connect utilities such as electricity, water, and gas.
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Set up a temporary kitchen area with dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment.
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Install smoke detectors and alarms.
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Arrange for a locksmith to change the locks.
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Register with the local post office to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
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Update your address on all relevant accounts, including bank accounts, utility bills, and government agencies.
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Explore your new neighborhood and familiarize yourself with nearby amenities, such as supermarkets, gas stations, and medical facilities.
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Dispose of any packing materials and boxes.
packing
top tips
So, you're moving house? But have no idea where to even start in terms of packing?
Well, we're here to help.
Moving to a new home can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. The extensive planning and emotional burden that come with the process can amplify the stress levels during this transition. To ease the stress, proper planning, utilizing professional moving services, and effective organization tactics like early packing and labeling of boxes are key. By being proactive, you can reduce the stress of moving and ensure a seamless transition to your new home.
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First-time moving can often result in overlooking important tasks. But, with a comprehensive removal service, you can decrease the stress of moving. To prevent feeling burdened before your move, it's advisable to start packing early and label your boxes properly. This way, you can easily find your items once you reach your new home. Our tips guide can help you stay organized and make your move a success.
importance of labeling
Imagine this.
Utter chaos has been blossoming in your new house for days. You are on the brink of tears, struggling to find your belongings in a pile of “random”, anonymous boxes. Are you ready for such a scenario? We thought not. Then, labeling your moving boxes as you go, while packing, is what you need to do.
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Using a clear and easy-to-understand coding system to label your boxes with their contents and destination will make it easier for you to locate items later and also help us prioritise which boxes to load first in the truck. Clearly marked boxes will be unloaded and placed in the correct location in your new home. Additionally, labelling boxes as "Fragile" (especially for items like Aunt Margaret's antique crystal vase) will ensure they arrive safely. Lastly, numbering each box will quickly alert you if any go missing.
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But what is the most efficient way to label your boxes? Is there a universally accepted system that can be applied to all moving scenarios?
THE ART OF LABELlING
So, get yourself some coloured permanent markers and clear tape, and consider downloading printable label templates or try making them yourself. Then, select the labelling system that best suits your needs.
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Colour code labels
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Assign unique colours to each room while labelling your moving boxes to make the unpacking process smoother. You can write the name of the room, like "Kitchen" in yellow and "Living room" in blue, so that we know where each box belongs. Use waterproof marker pens to prevent smudging, and reinforce your colour coding by sealing the boxes with the corresponding tape.
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Labels by room
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Ok, we have already covered the room-by-room packing system. It is proven that it makes the unloading and unpacking simply a breeze, even if you use only one colour for writing the labels. Ensure that you tape the same label on each side of the box and even place one on top of the packaging. Again, this will facilitate us a great deal when trying to get your belongings to the right room. There is nothing more inconvenient then circling around a large box to locate its label when you are strapped for time or worse, trying to move it, because the neatly written sign is on the other side.
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Priority code labels
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This labelling system could combine a couple of house removals concepts. For instance, it could determine which box goes first in the moving truck and which is loaded last. This way, we will be able to prioritise what items are coming off the vehicle first and get moved in their designated room. The other idea behind this system is to clearly state and remind yourself which box is a priority in terms of getting it unpacked first.
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So, you can label a box with an “H” for high priority, with an “M” for medium priority and with an “L” to emphasise its low level of priority. This labelling method will prevent you from unpacking your wedding dress first, while your kids’ school books are still buried somewhere in the heap of boxes. To pack books correctly, put flat stacks of regular paperbacks together, or place them standing on their spines so that the paper edges face upwards. Packing them with the paper edges facing downwards will cause the pages to bend. You can also pack books using a combination of methods in one box, as long as you make sure not to put them in awkward positions.
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Number code labels
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With the number code labeling system, you make a list of what items are in each numbered box and which numbers go with each room. This makes it easy to find what you need when you're unpacking. For example, if you want to make tea, you'll know to go to box number 3 because it's listed in your inventory as having the kettle in it. To make sure it goes in the right room, it's a good idea to write "Kitchen" in red next to box 3.
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Labels by items
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Packing your possessions by items works only in a partial way. And the method cannot replace other labelling systems. For instance, you can group soft items together like bedding, throw overs, rugs, and cushions in a box and pack your kids’ winter clothes in a large bin bag.
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Another example is your camping equipment that can be packed nicely and labelled as such with an added “L” for low priority. All small electrical appliances that need to be handled with care can also go in a designated box. But whether you decide to pack the hair dryer and the table fan together with the coffee maker and the juicer is another matter. Just find what works for you by weighing out the drawbacks and benefits of this labelling system. The key to it is to itemise clearly the contents of each box.
fragile!!!
Whether you opt for packing your delicate and breakable items by room, number, or color, proper wrapping and labeling is crucial. Cover each item individually with wrapping paper, be it a glass, plate, or mirror, and place it gently in the box. Fill any empty spaces with bubble wrap or old towels and clothing to ensure stability. Clearly label all sides of the box with "Fragile" or "Handle with care" to prevent handling errors and keep the boxes dry. Make sure to specify the orientation of the box on the label as well.
the essentials..
It's a good idea to pack a box of essentials that you can easily access on your first night in your new home. What it contains is up to you, but would typically include items you need daily or items that bring comfort. The contents of the box may vary, including items like baby soothers, toiletries, medication, snacks, pyjamas, or a bottle of wine, cheese crackers, and a DVD. The key is to label this box clearly so you won't waste time searching for it once you arrive at your destination. For example, you can write the following label on this box of essentials with a unique colour that you have not used on any other boxes:
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First Night Box
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High priority
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First off the truck
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Handle with care
And you can always consider placing your essentials in the boot of your own car just to be sure…
AND RELAX..
So, you are here now.
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And there’s so much unpacking to deal with. The best thing you can do is to keep calm and take your time. You will find that unpacking can be fun, especially if you’ve done the packing and labelling right.
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After all, all this pre-moving hard work you had to do was designed to make things simple when unpacking. Just make use of the labeling system again and start unpacking room by room, from high to low priority. Take regular breaks and enjoy painting the blank canvas of your new abode gradually and in a stress-free manner.
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Put on your favourite album, grab a bottle of bubbly, let your hair down and just enjoy this moment. Moving out and relocating is a huge life change, so embrace it.
If you have followed all of the steps in these guides, you'll have smashed it.