There are lots of good reasons to move home in the autumn, and this week’s home moving blog looks at why that is and helps you prepare for an autumnal home move.
People will often ask when the best time to move home is.
Taking all the factors below into consideration, autumn is certainly one of the best.
Go for a midweek, mid-month move, and your home moving costs will be considerably less and for the reasons below, often less stressful.
What Are The Advantages of Moving Home in Autumn?
Autumn is a great season in which to move home, here are just 6 of those reasons.
#1 You will save money
Cost is always a major consideration when moving home and moving in the autumn, especially midweek, can be substantially cheaper than moving in the peak season of summer.
Better availability of removal companies. Often your preferred removal firm will be fully booked in the busy periods of the year. Moving in autumn you have a better chance of booking your first choice of Removal Company.
#2 Core teams are more likely to be used for your move
Often during the peak moving season, some removal companies have to employ seasonal staff to cope with the amount of work they have.
Moving at a quieter time of year usually means that you will get permanently employed staff who tend to be better trained.
Autumn moves are also kinder to the removal team. OK, so our summers are not sweltering hot usually, but autumn is cooler and therefore the removal team will not tire as quickly and may even finish your home move quicker than you expect.
#3 The weather is still on your side
Although our weather is unpredictable, move in early autumn and there are still enough daylight hours to complete your move.
As we move towards winter and the nights start drawing in and it gets darker sooner, moving home in the dark is no fun for anyone.
#4 It’s a great time to move garden plants
If you plan on taking some prime specimen plants from your garden to your new home, autumn can be a great time to move them.
You may also like to read: How to Move Your Graden to Your New Home. In this guide, we explain how to pack and move all your garden furniture, a hot tub, gardening equipment, potted plants, and even how to pack all the things you have in your garden shed.
#5 The kids are at school
One of the advantages of moving in autumn is that the kids are back at school, which gives you the opportunity to prepare for moving day with the peace of mind that the children are safely in school.
This also makes moving day safer and less stressful for them and the removal team.
#6 A new home in time for Christmas
Moving home in autumn means that you can settle in and be unpacked ready to enjoy your first Christmas in your new home.
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Like any home move, planning is essential, but there are a few extra tasks that you should add to your home moving checklist if you plan to move home in the autumn.
#1 Declutter your home
Although this is sound advice at any time of year, when moving home in the autumn it makes even more sense.
The fewer things you have to move, the quicker and cheaper your home move will be.
If daylight hours are at a premium, the fewer items you are moving, the less chance that your removal van will be unloaded in the dark.
You may also like to read: The Epic Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move. In this guide, we go room to room suggesting the best way to declutter your home. We also look at how to cope with letting sentimental items go, which is often the hardest part of decluttering.
#2 Pack with unpacking in mind
You can safely pack your summer clothing in boxes that you know you won’t have to unpack straight away, or can even be put into the loft for storage until next summer.
The same can be said of garden furniture and cushions or BBQs.
Pack with the seasons in mind, clearly label the boxes and unpacking will so much easier.
#3 Ensure utilities are connected
You will want to make sure that the electricity, gas, internet, and water are all connected so that you have heat and light.
#4 Check lights work
If for whatever reason your move is delayed you could find the removal van being unloaded in the dark.
Check that the interior and exterior lights work at your new home and consider taking a few spare bulbs just in case.
#5 Take some torches
Likewise, it makes sense to have a couple of really good torches with new batteries handy.
You may also like to read: Essential Tools for Moving Day. You can guarantee that you will need a tool that is buried in a box on moving day, so it makes sense to have prepared a simple toolbox with essential items in it. In this guide, we suggest items that you will want to include in your moving day tool kit.
#6 Service the boiler and heating system
It is a good idea to have the boiler and heating system checked over by a qualified engineer ready for the winter.
#7 Order fuel supplies
If you have an oil-fired heating system make sure there is sufficient oil in the tank to last at least a couple of weeks.
This will give you enough time to place an order to get the tank filled and ready for winter.
The same applies to wood and coal.
#8 Prepare your car
Especially if you are planning a long-distance move it would be wise to get your car serviced at least a couple of weeks before you move.
That will give you enough time to rectify any problems and will be one less thing to worry about as moving day approaches.
Don’t forget to put some extra warm and/or waterproof clothing in the car as well as a torch, windscreen ice scraper, de-icer, and a spade, just in case it snows.
#9 Prepare an essentials box
It is a good idea to prepare a box of all the essentials you will need on moving day in one box.
This should include items such as medicine, food, and water.
You may also want to consider a box containing wet weather or warm clothing just in case you need them.
You may also like to read: How to Prepare Your Open First Box. Also known as the moving day essentials box, this box contains all the essentials you will need on moving day and even the first night in your new home. In this guide we suggest things that you may want to include in your box.
#10 Seriously consider insuring your move
Although bad weather is unlikely to scupper your moving day plans it might be wise to find out what your removal company policy is on canceled home moves.
You might want to also consider taking out insurance to cover such an eventuality.
You may also like to read: Home Removals Insurance – Do I Need It? Most people spare little thought to insuring their home move until it is too late. In this guide, we look at the types of insurance available to home movers and whether it makes sense to take out such policies.
#11 Prepare a plan B
Should your move be delayed on moving day for any reason be sure to know what the removal company policy is regarding this.
Do they provide storage if they run out of working hours? Where will you and your family stay if you cannot get access to your new home?
Even a damp foggy day can make flimsy moving boxes unstable and dangerous to move about. Use only high-quality, strong moving boxes that are appropriate for the contents they contain.
For heavier items, use smaller, stronger boxes.
Fragile items should always be packed in at least two-ply cardboard boxes.
#13 Protect your moving boxes
If a downpour is forecast for moving day, protect your moving boxes with industrial cling film or clear plastic sacks.
This will protect your boxes from getting wet and will also allow the removal team to still see the labels on each of the boxes.
You may also like to read: Plastic Wrap for Moving Home – How and Why it Will Make Your Move Easier. There are many reasons why professional removal companies use industrial cling wrap when moving clients’ belongings. If you are considering moving by yourself then this guide explains how and why to use plastic wrap.
#14 Consider using plastic boxes
A great alternative to cardboard boxes is to use plastic crates to pack your things into.
Not only are they kinder to the environment, but they can also be cheaper than buying cardboard boxes, you do not have to worry about what to do with all the empty cardboard boxes after they are unpacked, and during wet weather, they will protect your items better.
Things to Consider On Moving Day in Autumn
Here are 8 great tips to make moving home in the autumn easier and safer.
#1 Protect your flooring
Ask your removal company if they provide protective floor covering as you will want to protect your flooring from the wet and mud that could be tramped through your home whilst the removal van is being loaded and unloaded. A layer of cardboard or plastic sheeting should suffice. Just make sure that it does not create a tripping hazard for anyone.
Consider having children and pets looked after away from the hustle and bustle of moving day. Not only will it be safer and less stressful for them, but for the removal team too.
#3 Consider working in teams
The alternative to covering your flooring, and if you have enough people moving you, is to work in two teams. One team moving things to the front door and the other team from the front door to the removal van.
#4 Dress appropriately
Take into consideration the weather forecast and your comfort on moving day.
Clothing should be both appropriate for the weather and comfortable.
Wearing layers of clothing will allow you to adjust your body temperature as you get hotter or colder.
Your shoes should be sturdy with a good grip to prevent you from slipping on potentially wet surfaces.
A flask or two of tea, coffee, or soup may be welcome if the weather is on the chilly side. At the very least you will need plenty of water to prevent you and the removal team from becoming dehydrated.
#6 Clear pathways
As much as possible reduce tripping hazards by clearing away leaves from the route between the home and the removal truck (so remember not to pack brooms, as you may need them). If it is icy, sprinkle salt or sand to make the paths safer to walk on.
#7 Reserve parking spaces
The nearer the removal truck is to your home, the less time your boxes will be out in the elements and the quicker your home move will be completed. If possible try to reserve parking as close to your home as possible.
#8 Think safety first
Especially if you are performing a self-move, don’t rush around as footpaths are likely to be slippery. When driving to your new home be especially wary of driving conditions and adjust your driving accordingly.
The only downside to moving home in the autumn is if you have children of school age and you need to move them after the start of the school year.
But perhaps you could speak to the new school and have some coursework sent to you so that your child can become familiar with the work that the other children have already started.
If you are not moving too far away it may also be an option to get your children involved in any summer activities or clubs that the new school organizes so that your child has already made some friends and the school move will not be quite so daunting for them.
Their new friends may also help them catch up with any schoolwork they may have missed or be unfamiliar with.
So an autumn home move makes a lot of sense for many people, but it will obviously not be right for everyone.
But there are savings to be made, and many advantages, that moving between the summer and winter months will give you.
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