Useful Moving Tips
Moving can be a stressful time for some people, but in our experience, if you are organised and plan in advance, then it can be reasonably stress-free and most importantly, an exciting time! Here are a few pointers, that we hope will help you into your new home, as seamlessly as possible:
Make a list of anyone, who sends you post.
Plan your moving budget.
Place legal, medical and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
Check your home contents insurance policy to see, what cover you have regarding moving home. Your removal company can provide this, if you are not covered.
Decide if you are going to move yourself or use a moving company.
Call a moving company, or make van rental reservations as soon as possible. Fridays and Saturdays can be more expensive and get booked up well in advance.
Arrange for parking of the removal van outside your current and new addresses. Removal companies can arrange this, but they will charge for it.
Clean out cupboards and attic. Throw out anything you don’t want or donate unwanted items to charity.
Make a list of items to be moved.
Start packing (see below).
Let your broadband supplier know as soon as possible, that you are moving to ensure, you are not penalised for shutting down your account.
Order change of address cards to send out to friends and family.
If you are moving out of the local area, you will have to de-register with your doctor, dentist and optician and register with new ones in your new area.
If you need hotel accommodation during the removal, book your hotel well in advance especially in the summer months, when availability may be limited.
Book pets into kennels/cattery etc. or for friends/relatives, to look after them during the move.
If possible, arrange childcare on moving day or set aside an area of the house for them to play in with some of their toys.
Inform your cable/satellite operator of your moving date or if you wish to start up this service, check to see if they are available in your area.
When you move home you are required to register your change of address to be eligible to vote.
Start to empty your freezer and throw out any out of date tins and jars in your kitchen cupboards.
Call your home phone company to transfer your account.
Contact your bank/building society with your change of address.
Contact your mobile phone network to let them know your change of address. The simplest way is to call them from your phone, as they do not charge for the call.
Notify the post office, banks, mobile phone company and other companies, who send you post, of your date of moving.
There could be a large list of companies and organisations you need to inform of your move, so you may consider using an online service such as MyAddress.ie It costs €9.95 but can take a lot of stress out of your moving.
Register: Enter your leaving address, your new address and moving date.
Select: Choose the companies that you wish to notify.
Insert: Enter any additional information, such as your account and client number.
Arrange to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
An Post offer a redirection service for your post. Prices range from €50.00 to redirect your post for 3 months to €100 for 12 months redirection within Ireland. Download details & an application form
Send change of address to friends and family.
Television Licence: inform An Post of your change of address. Keep hold of your current license, as you will not be issued a new one, until your existing one expires.
Do not water any plants a week before moving.
Pack a ‘Last On’ — ‘First Off’ Box (see below) of essentials
Empty your fridge and freezer of any unwanted food.
Keep refreshments flowing – movings is physically demanding work.
Remove all bedding and clearly label the box for immediate unpacking, for the first night at your new home.
Identify to the removers anything, that is not to go to the new home.
Once the van is loaded, do one last check around the house, to ensure all items have been packed.
Surrender any parking permits from your old address and apply for a new one if applicable.
You will probably need to make a few trips, so moving yourself is really only practical, if you are moving a fairly short distance. Factor in the amount of trips, you need to make.
Labels
Sticky tape
Gloves
Pens
Driving license
Packing materials
Start packing well in advance of the move. Buy or hire some packing cases, as they tend to be much stronger than standard cardboard boxes.
Using boxes that are all the same size also makes the packing and the stacking of the boxes in the van easier.
The first thing to do is to pack items you won’t need before the move. Pack away large sections of the clothing in your wardrobe, pack away the contents of the shed and any items, you have stored in the attic.
Don’t overload the boxes, label them clearly with the contents and to which room they should go to. Put an arrow to point out, which way up the box is to be moved.
Tea bags, coffee, milk and sugar
Mugs / cups & teaspoons
Snacks & lunch
Soft drinks
Toilet paper
Babies nappies
Paper & pens
Medication
Contact numbers
Light bulbs