Just as you sign the contract, finalise your mortgage and get the keys to your new home, you may be forgiven for seeing light at the end of the tunnel. However, there is one more major step to go – moving.

Moving can be a highly stressful time, with a number of moving parts and additional costs. Whether you decide to do the move yourself or get a removal company to do it for you, there are several key factors you need to consider.

Packing

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve moved houses, packing and sorting through your belongings never gets easier or more exciting.

If you’ve been meaning to do a big spring clean but never quite got around to it, this may be the perfect opportunity to do this. Doing your own packing will allow you to declutter your stuff, and get an understanding of what you own. It will help you understand what you have, what needs to go and what you may need to buy for your new house.

However, one of the main advantages of hiring a removal company is they take this often time-consuming job off your hands. Not only allowing you to relax but also ensuring that all your belongings are packed in a secure and organised manner. Ultimately making it easier and faster to unpack at the other end.

Additionally, removal companies provide all the materials needed for packing, such as all boxes, bubble wrap, paper and tape.

Transport

Don’t fancy doing multiple loads back-and-forth between your old house and your new one? Well hiring a removal company to manage your move, means you won’t have to worry about transporting your belongings.

Removal companies will look after every aspect of this step, everything from packing their truck, right to unloading your stuff at your new home.

This is a great option if you want to save yourself the time and effort associated with moving yourself. Plus, the removal company will be able to transport your belongings in a safe and secure manner, minimising the risk of damaging your stuff.

Alternatively, if you’re intending to do the move yourself, hiring a van, truck or trailer will be your best option, if you don’t have one already. This option will allow you to carry out the move on your own time.

So if you wish to get a headstart on the move and knock it out early or if you are planning on doing it after work, you will have that freedom.

However, if you have to be out of your current property by a certain date, you may not have the luxury of moving at your own pace.

Insurance

Regardless of whether you use a removal company or you DIY it, the potential for things to get damaged or broken during the move is ever present. It’s for that reason it’s important you make sure your belongings are protected during the move.

A reputable removal company should have their own in-house insurance policies which will cover your belongings during the move. This will hold them liable for anything that may happen to your belongings as a result of the move.

However, when you are deciding on a removal company, make sure you check what their insurance policy covers. It may be the case that you are not covered if damage occurs as a result of something that the removal company isn’t responsible for, such as a car accident.

To combat this, we recommend getting additional, third-party insurance, just in case the removal company doesn’t cover these additional factors.

If you do decide to do the move yourself, it is highly recommended that you take out insurance to cover your move. You may feel that because you’re handling your stuff, nothing will break or get damaged. But what if something does? To save yourself the heartache of damaging something precious, make sure you have that extra safety net.

Ultimately, whether you decide to do the move yourself or you get a removal company, comes down to your personal preference, time and also your budget. Make sure you adequately plan your move, don’t just do it on a whim.

For more advice about finding the right removal company, getting insurance or any other general advice regarding buying and moving houses, feel free to contact us today.