Top Tips for Moving House in the Summer
With Summer in full swing, you may be thinking about moving house or getting ready for the big moving day. The longer days and generally good weather make Summer a popular season for moving home. However, that brings its own set of obstacles. From legal considerations to sweaty lifting sessions to protecting your belongings from the sun, there's a lot to think about when planning a summer move.
In this blog, we will walk you through essential tips to make your summer move as smooth and comfortable as possible.
What date is the best for the move?
When moving house, it's best to pencil in a clear moving date and build your plans around it. The completion day, when you receive the keys to your new home, usually falls between one and four weeks after your solicitor exchanges contracts. This timeline allows you to organise your move with some flexibility while still working towards your target date. Remember that the exact timing can vary, so stay in close communication with your solicitor and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed.
We recommend avoiding Fridays and weekends as roads tend to be busier with fewer people at work - particularly when we are blessed with nice weather. Removal companies tend to have less availability and can be more expensive at the weekends too.
What will my Solicitor and Estate Agent be doing on completion day?
As exciting as it is, completion (moving) day can often be stressful. While you're busy packing boxes and coordinating with movers, your solicitor and estate agent are working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transaction. Your solicitor will be handling the legal aspects of the property transfer, including receiving the purchase funds from your mortgage lender, transferring the agreed-upon amount to the seller's solicitor, registering the property transfer with the Land Registry and ensuring all necessary documents are signed and exchanged. Meanwhile, your estate agent will typically be liaising between you and the seller to coordinate key handover and conducting a final check of the property to ensure it's in the agreed-upon condition.
What time shall we begin the move?
We strongly recommend that you start your move as early as possible. Throughout the day, you will be doing some heavy lifting, taking many trips in and out of the house. This isn’t something you want to be doing in the peak heat of a summer’s day. You should prioritise your heaviest items, ensuring that they are moved during the coolest point of the day. Ideally, you want to have most of the hard work completed by midday.
If you can, pack as much as possible and dismantle furniture before the big day.
How can we keep our cool on moving day?
It can be hot work moving house, unpacking and assembling furniture at the best of times, so when we are having a heatwave, it is important to keep cool and remain safe to avoid getting heat stroke or making yourself ill.
- Keep well hydrated with plenty of water and cold drinks
- Avoid lots of caffeine or alcohol as this can make your dehydrated
- Open up windows and get some air circulating
- Dress in light, breathable clothing
- Avoid flip flops or sandals (even though it may be tempting) they are a safety hazard!
- Take breaks to rest, hydrate and re-fuel
- Try not to over exert yourself, don’t rush or be over optimistic about how much you can get done in one day
How should I go about removals?
Hiring a professional removal company is wise, especially if you will be moving house in the heat. Although it will be an additional expenditure, a removal company may greatly reduce the already high levels of stress you are feeling. You should research in advance, sourcing a reputable company that will efficiently transport and protect your belongings.
What should I do about my children and pets?
The heat and chaos of moving day can be challenging for young ones and pets alike, so it's crucial to prioritise their comfort and safety. The key is to keep them engaged yet out of harm's way. Consider arranging for a trusted friend or family member to watch them during the busiest parts of the move. If that's not possible, create a safe, cool space in your old or new home where they can rest and play.
What home insurance should I have?
When moving into a new home, ensure your insurance coverage begins on move-in day or, for extra caution, from the contract exchange date. For newly purchased homes, consider a comprehensive policy that combines buildings and contents insurance. This will protect your property against structural damage from events like fires or floods, while also safeguarding your possessions from theft, loss, and damage. Many insurers offer these combined policies, providing complete protection for your new home and belongings from day one.
Should I create a moving day checklist?
Creating a moving day checklist is a great idea. As aforementioned, completion day can be long and stressful, and the most effective way around this is to plan. Spending just one hour of planning and prepping could save you hours and hours of tiring unpacking.
What Solicitor should I use?
At Bell Lamb & Joynson, our conveyancing solicitors are experienced in all aspects of conveyancing in England and Wales. We specialise in all kinds of residential property transactions, such as property sales and purchases, property transfers, and remortgages.
Our friendly and award-winning team are dedicated to helping people across Liverpool, Runcorn, Warrington, the wider North West and further afield across the country achieve their property goals.
Call us today on 03444124348 or email contact@bljsolicitors.co.uk for a chat with one of our experts today.