A Christmas Tale from Bournes Moves
As a Removals Company operating for almost 140 years we at Bournes Moves have seen our fair share of Christmas moves and have come to learn that moves at this time of the year can be under a lot more pressure than normal.
We’ve done everything, from all hands on deck to get a customer with a last minute move request into their house before Christmas Eve to hand salting a road with salt from a local supermarket so we could still complete a delivery despite overnight snow….
Did you know Christmas is the second busiest period in the Moving Industry calendar after the school summer holidays? Well it is, so we thought a few pointers might help you out (now is a good time to start shortlisting Removals Companies, booking a move consultation and getting a quote so that you can reserve move date as soon as possible – check out Rightmove’s Removals Services now to find reliable, honest removal companies):
Pack an essentials box with winter weather in mind
This is the last box loaded and first box unpacked (and could be kept with you in the car) of things you’ll maybe need last minute while everything else is packed. Think an umbrella, a change of dry clothes, mugs, tea/coffee/instant soup and a few snacks to keep your energy up (mince pies make a great festive addition) and spare light bulbs in case any are missing at your new home as winter days get dark quickly!
Labelling
Make sure your boxes (especially the Christmas decorations!) are labelled clearly so you can locate the things you need quickly. Consider taping a list of the contents of each box on the top so you don’t have to sift through everything to find the extension lead for the lights….
Get extra help
If you’re pushed for time and want to be settled before Christmas ask your removals company about extra services like full unpacking, maid services or a handyman to get your new house set up ready for the festive period.
Heat it up
Talk to your vendors about leaving the heating on a low temperature when they leave so that your house isn’t freezing on arrival. If there are a few days or weeks between occupants this could also help prevent frozen pipes.
Inform your removal company about flooring
Winter weather often means wet shoes and muddy boots and people moving furniture into a house are in and out of your property and walking all over the house to put things in the right places. If you’ve got light coloured carpets be sure to inform your removal company of this so they can make sure to use appropriate floor protection to avoid causing any damage, in addition if you have wooden or polished floors this is important too so they take the right health and safety measures to avoid slips and falls.
Use specifically designed Removals Cartons (if buying your own!)
These are more durable than the boxes you pick up from supermarkets and are less likely to break apart or leak if they get wet being transported between the house and the lorry if it’s raining on move day. Make sure to cover any furniture too for example using sofa protectors or mattress sacks.
I hope those tips can help some of you out for your festive move. Last year, Bournes Moves teamed up with Rightmove to run a completion for your funniest house moving stories and there were some crackers (sorry!!!!) about moves at Christmas. Here is one of our favourites to leave you with a lovely Christmas glow:
“I have moved four times in the last three years!! So you’d think I’d be a pro by now, yeah right!! The last move was a blessing and a nightmare all in one.
We had to move on Christmas Eve due to our landlord refusing to make repairs! I was heavily pregnant and actually over due at the time! And the day we moved out the ceiling fell in, in what was at the time our bedroom 🙁 despite the landlord refusing to believe the roof was leaking!
We managed to get all moved and get the tree and decorations up in time to have a fantastic Christmas in what is now our lovely home and my little munchkin made an appearance on the 28th of December.”
– Janet Palmer
