Be proactive

Leaving things to the last minute is a sure fire way to make your move much more difficult than it needs to be. Especially with kids involved. Younger children may need time to get used to the idea of moving. So make sure they understand the process. This way they won’t start to panic when all of a sudden their belongings are slowly disappearing into boxes.

To make the transition to their new house slightly easier. You could have them pack their own box which contains their important belongings. Such as their favourite toy or medical equipment like an Inhaler. This way when they get to the new property they can open up their box and have everything they need to settle in for the first night.

With the time you have before the day of the move you can try to de-clutter any unneeded items. Children will inevitably grow out of their clothes, stop needing certain furniture and stop playing with old toys. This can free up space in your new house and also reduce the cost of your move. Much of these unwanted items could either be sold or given to your local charity.

For more tips on de-cluttering before your move have a look at our dedicated post.

Child care

For younger kids keeping them pre-occupied and out of the way is the main objective on moving day. Moving on a day the kids will be in school is the ideal scenario. As you can focus solely on your other responsibilities. This isn’t always going to be possible depending on ages and time constraints.

Organising childcare is another option for moving day. Whether that be with a child minder or with a family member/friend. The more you can focus on the move itself the less overall stress for you on the day.  Having a friend or a member of the family there to help watch your children while you direct the move can be a great help. This way they can be kept entertained and out of the way your movers. Helping to prevent any delays to the un-load.

Keep them in the loop

Older children and young adults may prefer to pack their own belongings into boxes before they move. They get to feel more involved as they have their own responsibilities before and on moving day! They also might appreciate being able to pack their things in their own particular way. Should they need to access something important, they should be able to find it.

If your younger children are going to be there during the move, then a good way to keep them entertained is to get them involved! There are always plenty of jobs to be done on the day and there will be something for most age groups to help with. Simply getting them involved with the cleaning of the house as rooms are emptied has a multitude of benefits! You get some help, they keep busy and they may even learn some new skills along the way! Although the idea of chores isn’t going to be welcomed by many children. As long as you can try and inject some fun into it, you’ll be making some great memories of the last day in your old house.

In your new home

Once you’re in your new home, there are a few things you can do to help your kids settle in:

• Open up any important boxes that may contain medicine or comforts for your child.
• Let them explore their new house quickly before the work starts to bring in your furniture.
• Get them out playing games in the garden while waiting for the furniture to be delivered.
• Start setting up their new room, get them involved with some of the design aspects and layout of their new space.
• Ensure there is sufficient food at hand as you may not be able to use any cooking utensils till later on in the evening.

If you need help to prepare for your removals in Coventry, or if you want to ask us any questions. Please contact us using the contact us page. Alternatively you can give us a call on 02476 332 889 or email us at info@keeblesremovals.co.uk. Here at Keebles Removals Coventry we have many years of expertise in the removals and storage industry. We will be more than happy to help!

The post Moving home with children appeared first on Removals Coventry.

Furniture

People who have lived in their family home for decades will no doubt have accumulated a lifetime’s worth of stuff, furniture is no exception. If you’re downsizing from a family house to a bungalow then furniture is a good place to start as it takes up the most amount of space. Once your family have all fled the nest you most likely won’t need multiple beds, sofas and wardrobes.

These types of items are usually easy to sell as a lot of people are keen to grab a bargain with furniture, rather than having to fork out for brand new items in the shop. Once this is done, you will have made a big step into decluttering your home.

The Loft

Most peoples attics become a graveyard for all things lost and forgotten over many years of living in the same house. Most don’t venture up there for years on end. So there will no doubt be things up there that can be disposed of one way or another. Which all helps to prepare for your upcoming house move. A lot of people keep things with sentimental value in their lofts and so these things won’t be heading for the tip. But do you really need that old suitcase with the broken handle and dodgy zip?

Electricals

When we upgrade our electricals such as mobile phones or computers, we tend to have a habit of holding onto the old ones. Perhaps as a backup in case things break or go wrong. But more often than not this doesn’t happen and after a decade of upgrades we end up with a cupboard full of antiquated technology. Use your move as an excuse to let go..

Clothes

Clothing is one of those things that we never stop purchasing and seemingly can never have enough of. As fashions and style changes people like to keep up with the times, but they collect rather than replace. So in time our wardrobes, beds and drawers are full to the brim with things you probably haven’t seen for years. A great place for unwanted clothing is the charity shop as they are being appreciated by somebody else. Also earning money for local charitable causes. Once you’re in your new property you’ll have plenty of wardrobe space for some new clothes to go with it.

Garage

Our garages these days are rarely ever used to park the car anymore. Instead they are used to store a huge variety of some useful and other not so useful items. Having a good think about what you haven’t used or seen in years will go a long way in condensing the contents of the garage. Tools and equipment that may be damaged beyond repair are good candidates for the tip. Other things such as paint and tiles that you’ve used in the house are best left to the new owner. In case they need to do any touch ups.

All in all the more you can get rid of before the day of the move the easier the whole process is likely to be. You may even find de-cluttering quite cathartic. Donating things will lighten your load but also brighten somebody else’s day as plenty of people stand to benefit. Not only will selling things put money directly into your pocket. It will also mean you don’t have to pay as much to move as you won’t have as much stuff.

If you need help to prepare for your removals in Coventry, or if you want to ask us any questions. Please contact us using the contact us page. Alternatively you can give us a call on 02476 332 889 or email us at info@keeblesremovals.co.uk. Here at Keebles Removals Coventry we have many years of expertise in the removals and storage industry. We will be more than happy to help!

The post Decluttering your home before you move appeared first on Removals Coventry.

Clearly labelled boxes

Items should ideally be packed in boxes within their own categories, this can be anything from a collection of books, the family albums or the contents of the cutlery drawer. When you have similar items packed together in a well labelled box, it makes it much easier for you to get to the things you want. Otherwise you may end up having to open every box to find that elusive item. Wasting time and causing undue stress.

Packing

You could be storing your belongings for a week or as some people do for years on end. Which is why utilising good storing techniques could save you thousands of pounds. If you aren’t going to need access to your storage items, then condensing what you have into the smallest space possible means you don’t need an unnecessarily large storage locker. Start off with the way you pack your boxes.

If you utilise the entire space of each box, not only will you end up with less boxes, you will make stacking the locker much easier as well. Always put the heaviest items at the bottom of the box first, then each level inside the box should be getting lighter. Boxes not filled to the top with crumple as soon as any weight is placed on top of it, meaning you can’t stack as high and so wasting valuable space. This also helps prevents your stack from collapsing over time reducing the risk of damage.

Have specific boxes just for your fragile items like glass and ornaments so that these boxes can be properly protected. Do not overload these boxes as you’ll need plenty of cushioning to help prevent any damage. Once it’s sufficiently well protected, seal the box and label accordingly.

Top Tip: As well as labelling as fragile also label as a ‘Top box’, so that when you’re stacking in the locker you’ll know not to put any weight on them and have these boxes at the top of the load.

Stacking

When it comes to stacking all your belongings into the locker. Start with the sturdy furniture as the base of a tier, then some of your heavier boxes onto that. Ideally getting lighter the higher you go, until you have some space left at the top of the stack for lighter or fragile things such as bags or lamps. Then repeat this for the next tier. If you follow this method you will save money with a smaller storage unit and you’ll know your items will be safe from damage. A great way to maximise storage space is to ensure you leave no hole left unfilled. This means finding simple ways to condense your load even further. When you have furniture like wardrobes and drawers, make sure you fill these spaces with boxes, bags or anything that fits. That way you can make every square foot count.

Packing Materials

Another invaluable tip for storage is to use the right materials when it comes to packing your items. Having some good quality double-skinned boxes will not only help protect your belongings, but also make it easier to stack them higher. With the single-skinned boxes they tend to crumple underweight very easily, no matter how well packed they are. Especially when storing for long periods of time. You may also want to buy some acid free tissue paper, this ensures nothing is going to react with your prized possessions over time.

Write an inventory

Once you have everything packed into boxes, it’s important that you make a list of every item in your storage unit. This way you’ll know exactly what you have in your locker without having to dig through everything to look. Inventories can also be used for insurance purposes should something happen to your belongings while they’re being stored.

If you need a hand with your storage in coventry, or if you want to ask us any questions. Please contact us using the contact us page. Alternatively you can give us a call on 02476 332 889 or email us at info@keeblesremovals.co.uk. Here at Keebles Removals Coventry we have many years of expertise in the removals and storage industry. We will be more than happy to help!

The post Filling your storage unit to maximise space 2021 appeared first on Removals Coventry.

Moving home with Virgin Media

While you might feel like you have a handle on some aspects of moving house (like not forgetting to pack the kettle). What you need to do with your Virgin Media during your move is something to add to your long list of things that you probably have no clue how to deal with.

Luckily Virgin have a service that should make moving your broadband relatively easy and stress free. They recommend giving them at least 30 days’ notice before the date of your move, so make sure this isn’t something you leave to the last minute. Otherwise you may experience some service disruption!

Step 1 – Ensure your new address is Virgin compatible.

Virgin Media doesn’t cover every area of the UK, so you will need to check. Simply search for your postcode on the Virgin – Home Moves section of their website https://store.virginmedia.com/movers.html?
If your new house is compatible then you can continue with the process.

If not and you still have a while left on your contract, then you will have to pay an early disconnection fee. This fee is calculated on an individual basis but is capped at £240, so you will not have to pay any more than that. If this applies to you then give this number a call so they can get you disconnected 0345 141 0111. 

Step 2 – Details you will need to provide.

• Account number (found on your bill or ebill).
• Current/old and new address.
• Contact number.
• Moving out date.
• Moving In date.
• Preferred installation date. (If required)

All this information can be submitted online or over the phone.

Step 3 – What to do on the day of the move.

Once it comes time for your move you will need to bring all of your Virgin devices and connections. Such as set top boxes, Broadband Hub, home phone, cables and splitters (where required).

Step 4 – Installation

If your new home hasn’t had Virgin before than you will need to organise for an engineer to come and set up your services. This can be done through the same process you will already have done above. Moving your broadband could not be simpler!

Energy Supplier Check list

Before your move:

• You will need to let your current energy supplier know the date of your move. It is recommend that you ring them at least 48 hours before the day of the move. You should also give them your new address so that they can send you your final bill.
• On the day of your move you will need to take a final meter reading and send this onto your supplier. You should keep a record of this yourself to avoid any chance of discrepancies.
• If you are in a rental property then your meter reading should be passed onto the landlord.
• You may also want to leave a note for the new occupant that tells them who is currently supplying the energy to make things easier for them.
  

After your move:

• The first step is to find out who is the current energy supplier of your new home. If the previous occupant hasn’t left these details then you can phone this helpline 0870 608 1524. Alternatively you can use the Find my Supplier website.
• You will then need to take the meter readings and pass these onto the current supplier along with the date you moved into your new property.
• At this point you will be placed onto a standard tariff with this supplier but it is recommended that you shop around to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. Using Which Switch should make that fairly simple.

Energy supplier customer service numbers:

Atlantic – 0800 980 9042

Better Energy- 0845 180 4000

British Gas – 0800 048 0202

Bulb – 0300 30 30 635

Co-Operative Energy – 0800 954 0693

EDF – 0800 096 9000

Eon – 0345 303 3020

Npower – 0800 073 3000

If you need a hand with your removals in Coventry, or if you want to ask us any questions. Please contact us using the contact us page. Alternatively you can give us a call on 02476 332 889 or email us at info@keeblesremovals.co.uk. Here at Keebles Removals Coventry we have many years of expertise in the removals and storage industry, and we will be more than happy to help!

The post What to do with your broadband and energy suppliers when moving home 2021 appeared first on Removals Coventry.

Preparing to move house or work? Need some advice on how to get ready? Moving house has been voted one of the most stressful days to move, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 10 top tips that will help you prepare you for your move.

Don’t buy extra boxes, use what you already have

• Save money on boxes by using things you may already have around your home. Empty wicker baskets, laundry hampers and suitcases are just a few of the things that can make a good substitute for packing boxes. (Just make sure the contents aren’t things that can be easily broken).

Use tape and a marker pen

• Before dismantling anything complicated, use tape and a marker pen to mark up the different parts. Using a wardrobe as an example you can identify the different parts by sticking on a bit of tape and then writing something like ‘Top right’ or ‘Middle left’. This way once it’s in bits, you’ll be able to identify each part.

Sandwich bags are more helpful than you may think

• Sandwich bags make a good carrier for all the loose nuts, screws and bolts that you’ll have once items of furniture have been dismantled. This bag can then be taped to part of that furniture so that it doesn’t get lost or mixed up with other loose bits.

Substitute packing materials

• Another way to reduce cost/waste is by substituting packing materials for things found around the home. In some instances blankets make a good substitute for paper/bubble wrap when you’re packing some fragile items. Cushions can also be used to create buffers inside boxes for that extra bit of protection. Some people use newspaper for wrapping their fragiles. But this can leave ink on things you might hold dear. So if you do need to use paper. Its best to stick to proper acid free packing paper.

Put pictures face down

• When packing pictures together, always put the pictures face to face and back to back as they are being packed beside each other. This reduces the chances of any damage to your precious pictures as the backs of them often have sharp attachments.

Place items vertically and together

• When packing kitchen plates or small pictures into boxes, place them vertically and tightly together. This is the most effective way and helps prevent any breakages that can occur from badly packed items. You can also save some of your packing materials such as bubble or paper. Simply alternate between wrapping a plate or picture and then leaving the next one unwrapped. By alternating your goods will still be well protected. But you save time and money in the process!

Write using permanent marker

• When labelling the boxes, write in a permanent marker directly onto the tape. Rather than onto the box itself. This enables the boxes to be re-used a lot easier. As the old labels will come off with the tape. Causing less confusion if you use these boxes for your next move! Saving you money and saving cardboard which in turn is better for the environment. 

Take a picture of your wires

• One of the first things you might want to do after a stressful move, is sit back and stick on your favourite programme. However with people often having multiple devices set up to one TV, you may feel like you need to be a IT Tech to get everything how it was. So before pulling all your wires out of the back of any electronics, take a picture of them. Pulling them out is the easy part, knowing where they’re all supposed be plugged back into can be a nightmare once you’re in your new home. The picture you took can be used as an easy guide. So you will be enjoying your cuppa in front of your favourite soap in no time at all!

Be aware of box sizes/weights

• Be aware of the size of the box you are using for certain items. For example when you are packing books into a box, make sure the box you use is no bigger than a microwave. Otherwise it may become too heavy to pick up and move. Similarly when putting items into a large box, try not to pack in too many heavy things so that it isn’t too difficult to move.

Heaviest always at the bottom

• When filling a box, always start with the heaviest items at the bottom and then the most fragile near the top. This lessens the chance of anything getting broken in transit. 

Hopefully these points have helped you prepare for your move. If you need a hand with your removals in Coventry, or if you want to ask us any questions. Please contact us using the contact us page. Alternatively you can give us a call on 02476 332 889 or email us at info@keeblesremovals.co.uk. Here at Keebles Removals Coventry we have many years of expertise in the removals and storage industry, and we will be more than happy to help!

The post 10 tips that will help prepare you for your move 2021 appeared first on Removals Coventry.