Moving house is considered to be one of the most stressful things we can do, aside from coping with bereavement or divorce. Your home is a part of your identity and a base from which your kids grow up and family memories are made – so it makes sense that setting up somewhere new isn’t necessarily going to be easy. However, it is possible to move house with a minimum of fuss – here we tell you how to set things up so that you can focus on being excited about your new abode…

  1.      Visit your new home several times

You might have been sold on the first viewing, but a second or third visit is really important for helping you to plan your move. Return to the property with a view to finding out what works and what doesn’t. Find out if the current occupants are planning to leave any of their furniture or appliances, as this can save you a lot of money when it comes to setting up your new home. Check what kind of central heating is currently in place – do you need to register with a gas provider, or should you order some oil before moving day?

  1.      Pack like a pro

The way you pack up all your stuff will determine how quickly you can get settled into your new property. Don’t just fling things into bags and boxes – or you will end up living in a chaotic nightmare for weeks on end! Pack items on a room by room basis, and label everything so that you can find whatever you need with just a quick glance: invaluable for the settling in period. Make sure your breakables are well protected with bubble wrap, newspaper or foam pellets – your local shop should be able to help you with this.

  1.     Get help

Yes, it would be great if you could do everything yourself without spending another penny – but moving house doesn’t work like that. Unless you already own a large van and muscles that would make any bodybuilder proud – it’s a no brainer to get yourself sorted with an efficient and reliable removals company. As well as professional help, it’s also a good idea to enlist the support of family and friends for moving day – so don’t be afraid to ask!

  1.      Pack the kids off for the day

As any parent knows, trying to organise a house move with children in tow can be a near impossible feat. Make life easier for yourself by arranging to send them to the house of one of their friends or a relative on moving day – you’ll be really glad you did!

  1.      Make essential items accessible

There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your new pad to realise that you don’t know where the kettle is, and the tea bags could be anywhere. Pack a kit of essential items that you are likely to need when you get there and keep it at the top of the pile.

If your new house is a bit lacking in storage for all your stuff, read this guide on how to resolve the problem. You can move house with ease – it just takes a little planning!