Moving Tips

Norman Ferns Removals’ 70 years of experience in the removals and storage industry has given them an unparalleled level of knowledge and expertise. Over the years, they have helped thousands of customers move their homes or businesses, which has allowed them to refine their process to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Norman Ferns Removals’ team of professionals understands the intricacies involved in moving, such as packing fragile items, navigating difficult staircases, and dealing with logistics. With this wealth of experience, they are ideally positioned to advise customers on the best strategies for a successful move. They can provide tailored solutions based on their clients’ specific needs, ensuring that their belongings arrive safely and on time. Norman Ferns Removals’ longevity in the industry is a testament to their excellent customer service, reliability, and attention to detail.

5-6 weeks before your move

  • Think about the exact date you want to move.
  • Start planning your move.
  • Decide what you want to take with you to your new home and what you are leaving behind. A floor plan of your new home may help you decide.
  • You might need furniture for your new home. Start ordering them now.
  • If you think you’ll need extra storage space, book it now.
  • Decide if you are packing yourself or ordering a packing service and plan accordingly.
  • Start researching your new area or the country you are moving to. If you familiarise yourself with the local community or the new culture ahead of time, the move will be much smoother.

3-4 weeks before your move

  • Confirm the date of the move with us.
  • Arrange childcare for the moving day – Moving with children can be stressful, but there are ways to manage the impact on them. Although older children may well want to be involved in your move, and even help you pack and organise some things, you may decide that it will be less stressful for younger children if you arrange for them to go to relatives or friends on the moving day.
  • Make arrangements for moving your pets – Moving can be very disruptive for pets so you may want to ask a vet for specialist advice on taking care of your animals during the move.
  • Take a full inventory and start sorting out your belongings.
  • Clear out unwanted belongings – Planning a fresh start in your new home is an ideal time to clear out any unwanted belongings. You can give these items to friends and family, give them away with Freecycle, or hold a garage sale. Local charity shops will also welcome smaller items such as books, ornaments, some furniture or clothing.
  • Get the essential moving supplies.
  • Start packing items you don’t use very often and start emptying your freezer.

2 weeks before your move

  • Notify your essential service providers, banks and any other financial institutions, about your move. You will need to arrange for water, gas and electricity meter readings on the day of your move. Make sure that all services are connected in your new home the day you move in.
  • Have your telephone number transferred or changed.
  • Arrange for your post to be redirected – Contact Royal Mail if you want to have your post redirected.
  • Organise the disconnection and reconnection of domestic appliances, like your washing machine (we can disconnect/reconnect washing machines at your request) , cooker, and gas fires.
  • Plan the moving day in detail.
  • Decide how you are going to transport your valuable items, like jewellery, money, and pets.
  • Finalise everything with us. Confirm arrival dates, addresses, and think about parking facilities for the removal van.

1 week before your move

  • Finish packing all non-essential items and clean the house thoroughly.
  • Check attic, garage, and basement for items you might have forgotten.
  • Put all important documents in one box or bag which you will move yourself – this should include passports, driving licenses, wills, birth certificates, insurance papers, cash and jewellery.
  • Defrost and clean your fridge and freezer.
  • Cancel any regular deliveries you have to your present home, like milk or newspapers.

The Moving Day

  • If you have ordered our professional packing service, you have to prepare some things to make the packing as fast as possible – You can usually leave drawers and trunks with their contents intact, provided there are no breakable items inside. If you do this, however, it is your responsibility to point out to the crew drawers, wardrobes, cupboards and other containers that have ‘out of sight’ items within.
  • Liquids, oils and paints must be placed into sealed containers. We cannot transport inflammable material, so dispose of these safely.
  • Empty all bins; it is your responsibility to ensure that all bins are emptied of contents. Removal crew will not carry any type of receptacle containing refuse. This is particularly important when your goods are due to go into storage for a period of time.
  • Put together a ‘do not remove pile’ – Essential things that you do not want us to remove, such as snacks, handbags, or cleaning materials. Some people put everything into their bathtub and tell the removals crew not to pack anything in their bathtub. Wherever you put it, just be sure to let the guys know on the day what isn’t to be packed! The Moving Day You can now leave the hard work to us, but there are a few essential things you will need to take care of.
  • Be present when the movers arrive and answer their questions when necessary.
  • Perform final checks before leaving your home – Make sure that meter readings are taken, that water and power supply are turned off, and that doors and windows are closed.· Make sure that you are not leaving anything behind. Walk around your property, ideally with the foreman of our removal crew to check that nothing has been overlooked.
  • Drop keys at the estate agents if you need to.
  • Make sure that you have exchanged contact numbers with our removal team, and arrange a time to meet them at your new home.
  • When you walk into your new home, don’t start unpacking right away. Give yourself some time to enjoy your new home, sit down and relax. The most stressful part of the move is over. Only start unpacking when you feel relaxed and energetic.