Preparation

We know that moving can be a massive undertaking and you’ll have a to do list that approaches novel proportions so, to help keep things in perspective, work your way through this page step-by-step. When you get to the end, you’ll be fully equipped to tackle even the most unexpected on moving day.

Better yet, you’ll also be able to put your hands on the kettle and chocolate biscuits exactly when you need them most! Enjoy our removal preparation guide below or, if you don’t want to scroll, watch the video!

Ask yourself these questions before you do anything else:

• Do I have enough boxes?
• How will I protect my breakables?
• Which items of furniture can be dissembled? How long will it take?
• Will the large items fit in my new place? And will they fit through doorways and down hallways?
• Do I have the manpower?

Where Did I Put The Kettle?

Lots of customers are kind enough to offer our removal staff a brew – and then remember that they’ve packed the kettle. And it’s not just our staff who find removals thirsty work – when you arrive at your new place you’ll probably want a cuppa. So a good general rule for kettles is: last in – first out.

Mirrors & Glass

From time to time we get jobs where a large mirror, glass framed picture, mirrored wardrobe or glass top table needs moving. It’s very important that you make sure these items are safely wrapped up in protective bubble wrap, the more the better. However tightly we pack things in the van, they will still move around slightly, especially if there are any potholes in the road. This increases the risk that valuable and delicate items will end up chipped, cracked or completely smashed.

Please remember that it is your duty to ensure that any fragile items such as the above are properly protected. If you don’t do this and they end up damaged in transit then you only have yourself to blame. Booking a packing service will help ensure your possessions are properly packed and protected. Click on the link or ask us for more details.

Moving From a Flat?

If you’re moving from a flat and it isn’t on the ground floor, it will save a lot of time if most of your belongings are brought down ready to be loaded in the van. Some items are too heavy or awkward to be moved without help, but try to get as much stuff into the main hallway as possible. This will mean things can be loaded as soon as we arrive.

Although they are usually smaller spaces, moving from a flat can be just if not more taxing than moving from a house. The reason is that you’ll usually have a lot more stairs to navigate! If you’re moving from a flat and are able to do so, having some boxes downstairs ready to be loaded will really speed up the process. A flat move will usually take most of the day so try and book a two and three man York removals team to stay economical and efficient.

We’ve turned packing into an art form – so can you!

Dismantling Furniture

If you have any furniture or units, etc that can be dismantled then try to do it before our crack team arrives. This will save you time and money. We can do this for you and even reassemble them in your new home – but it takes time and costs money. If you do it yourself it’ll help reduce your final bill.

Thanks to the invention of flat pack designs, many common household furniture pieces can be easily taken apart, transported and reassembled by even the most reluctant of DIY enthusiasts. It may seem like an arduous task, but by taking apart wardrobes, beds, bookcases, tables and other large items of furniture you help to make loading the van much easier.

Large Items & Bulky Sofas

It sounds really obvious but if you’ve ordered a large item like a sofa do make sure you’ve got the right measurements for both the item and the doors. Also, think about corners – will the item go round them? It’s surprising how many people don’t think of this and end up with a sofa that won’t fit in their home.

Sofas won’t usually dismantle but a lot of large items like desks and wardrobes will. So, if in doubt, take them apart. It’ll save time, money and grief.

Help From Volunteers

We get a lot of bookings for just 1 man and a van. We’re told extra people will be available at the pickup and drop off to help with the lifting and packing. We’re absolutely fine with this, but removal work isn’t as straightforward it might look. Yes, your volunteers may give you a helping hand in exchange for a few beers or a favoured owed in future, but in our experience untrained helpers can do more harm than good, damaging goods by packing or carrying them incorrectly, chipping paintwork and not to mention causing injuries to themselves.

Getting large items round corners requires strength and skill, so make sure your volunteer helpers are strong, fit and know what they’re doing.

Inexperienced helpers can be more of a hindrance than a help; items can get damaged and the whole job ends up taking much longer than it would have done had the client booked one of our two or three man teams. Experience counts and our people are strong, fit and experienced. Getting the right people in saves time and can actually save money.

Part House Moves

If only certain items are being moved from a house, make sure that everything that needs to be moved is ready and someone is around to supervise the loading. If you don’t do this, then there’s a real danger of confusion, with the wrong items taken and/or left behind. Our staff are skilled, but they’re not psychic, it’s your responsibility to make sure we collect the right things.

Protecting Your Floors

An excess of foot traffic, heavy objects and dirt being tracked in from repeated trips outside – particularly if the fickle British weather decides to add the added problem of rain or snow to moving day – can all lead to dirty, damaged floors. It’s not practical for you to take shoes on and off so it’s a good idea to put down newspaper, cardboard or old sheets to protect your floors and carpets. This will also protect them from sharp edges and splinters which can scratch floors and snag carpets.

For carpeted areas, floor protection is particularly important. The last thing you want to do after a busy day of moving is spend all evening scrubbing marks from carpets after all.

You can buy floor protection online and in some DIY stores and it is usually quick and easy to apply. Specialist carpet protection is not expensive and is designed not to be a trip hazard and easy to remove. It will keep carpets free of dirt and debris. Floor protection can also be purchased for wooden and hard floors and will lighten the load on moving day.

Make sure you Measure Up

Again, it seems like a simple request but we like to make sure we’ve got all the bases covered. We’ve been in this business for a long time and it is astonishing the number of times we’ve moved people into new homes only to discover that a large item such as a sofa won’t actually fit into their new home.

It is vital that you measure up beforehand and make sure that furniture will be able to fit in your new place. This doesn’t just apply to the main rooms of the new home, such as whether the table is too big for the dining room, but whether the item in question is too wide to be manoeuvred through the hallways and doors.

Back To Work, Back To School & Back To Business

September is the busiest time of year for York Removals firms as it is the most popular time for businesses and students to move. Homeowners generally like to move as soon as the first flush of spring has arrived for a number of reasons. These include: Better finances after Christmas Settling before the children start a fresh school year Sunnier weather Fulfilling a New Years Resolution for change The desire to spend summer in a new home.