Any house move is stressful, particularly so long distance house moves. Luckily for you, we at Hanlon Bros have helped many happy customers navigate the unique challenges of moving long distances. Whether you’re moving to, or from, Ayrshire, our team is expertly equipped to make the process as smooth as possible. Read on for our best tips for pulling off a seamless long distance move.
Read some of our long distance moving case studies:
Planning and Preparing for the Long Distance Move
- Start Now: When there’s lots to plan, it can be hard to make a start. But the sooner you do, the more time you’ll have, and the less stressed you’ll feel on moving day. Write everything down and convert into lists and timelines you can check off as you go.
- Declutter and Downsize: Who doesn’t love travelling light? Save on extra packing and heavy-lifting by getting rid of unwanted items now. Donate to charity, give to friends and family, or sell online. You may even save money on moving costs, and you’ll be thrilled to have less to unpack later.
- Find a Moving Company: This part’s easy! With nearly 60 years experience under our belt, we at Hanlon Bros are excellent long distance house movers and will make the process as seamless as possible for you. We even have our own purpose-built storage facility if you need to store items during the transition.
- Gather Packing Supplies: Don’t get caught short at the last possible minute. Start accumulating boxes, tape and bubble wrap now. Ask friends, family and co-workers if they have any boxes going spare too - you’ll save money and reusing packaging is much better for the planet.
Packing
- Pack an Essentials Box: After a long move there’s nothing worse than rooting through all your boxes to find your phone charger. Your future self will thank you for grouping your essentials together in one box (and we strongly recommend your essentials box includes a kettle, tea and coffee!)
- Room-by-Room Packing: Pack one room at a time to avoid chaos and overwhelm. Make sure to clearly label your boxes by room for easier unpacking.
- Consider a Partial Removals Service: If your budget doesn’t stretch to a full house removals service, why not hire us to move the big or tricky stuff - such as furniture, electrical appliances or fragile antiques.
Moving Day and Beyond
- House Utilities and Services: If possible, organise in advance the disconnection of utilities in your old place and the connection of services in your new one. Your current supplier might not service your new place, so make sure you do your research if you need to switch utilities such as internet or energy.
- Update Your Address: Make a note of all the people and organisations who require your new address, such as banks, subscription services or family members. Update as soon as possible.
- Plan for Travel: If driving, check your route ahead of time, considering congestion areas or planned road closures. Be sure to factor in rest stops. If travelling with pets, make sure they stay hydrated and get the chance to stretch their legs on the long journey.
- Unpack and Settle In: Take it box by box, room by room. No need to get overwhelmed if you take it one step at a time. If you really hate unpacking or could do with a helping hand, we offer a full or partial unpacking service to lighten the load.
Additional Tips
- Look After Yourself: Long distance moves are stressful! Prioritising self-care, getting enough sleep, and taking plenty of breaks are just some of the steps you can take to manage the emotional stress of moving house
- Ask for Help: You don’t need to do it alone. Friends and family will step in if you ask. Put your trust in the professionals: we can help with packing, unpacking and of course, moving.
- Embrace the Adventure: A long distance move is a chance for a fresh start. Research your new local area and make a list of all the places you want to visit when you move in and get excited!
By following these tips, you can make your long distance move a success!
