Moving Checklist: Steps Before Your Move

If you are planning a move to the Canary Islands there are a number of simple steps you need to keep in mind before the big day. In this post we have compiled all of them into one intuitive, easy-to-follow checklist.

When we are about to move home, a whole host of questions spring to mind. How far in advance should I book a removal service? How should I pack fragile items? How many days off am I entitled to from my employer to carry out a house move? 

We have an answer to all of these questions at our removal services company — backed by over 20 years of accumulated experience. 

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE MOVE

The moving date is approaching and by now you have most likely already chosen your new home. But do you know which day of the week is best for the move? The answer is fairly obvious: the day closest to the weekend. That way you will have Saturday and Sunday to unpack all the boxes and settle into your new home.

DECLUTTER: This is the perfect time to clear out everything you have accumulated over the years. Especially if you have children and find yourself with items that have outlived their purpose (pushchair, changing table, baby walker, textbooks, toys… and much more). A practical way to let go of all this is to give it a second life. You can list these items online and sell them on the main second-hand platforms: Wallapop, Vinted, Milanuncios

ORGANISE: Keeping everything organised and under control is essential for a smooth move: documents you may need, house keys, essential clothing, medication you take regularly, and so on. Go through as many drawers as possible where you may have stored documents — keep what you need or recycle the rest. The goal is not to transport unnecessary items and bring the chaos into your new home.

BOOK: Now is the time to decide whether to handle the move yourself — you can rent a van at very competitive rates — or entrust the service to a professional removal company.

1 MONTH TO GO

BUY PACKING MATERIALSIf you have decided to handle the move yourself or to do the packing, you need to estimate how much material you will need. As a rule of thumb, one adult typically fills around 15 boxes. Do not forget packing tape — one roll usually covers up to 70 boxes. You will also need bubble wrap to pack fragile items. As for how much bubble wrap to buy, a good estimate would be one 50-metre roll for the household goods of around 4 people.

ACCOMMODATION:Remember that you need to know where you will be staying during the move. For local moves, these are usually completed in a single day. For national or international moves, you may need temporary accommodation where you can spend a few days in comfort until the removal company delivers your belongings. The most practical and affordable option is staying with family. Another option is to look for holiday accommodation. Here are some useful platforms: Airbnb, Niumba, Rentalia, Booking.

UTILITY CONTRACTS — WATER, ELECTRICITY AND TELEPHONE: This step is very important as it can save you a great deal of headaches. From a legal standpoint, the law states explicitly that utility contracts remain in force until the account holder formally requests cancellation. For your own protection, make sure you cancel all utilities. If you are renting, you do not need to worry about this, as you will only be charged for the proportion of services you actually consumed.

1 TO 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE

START PACKING: Now it is time to get to work. The right approach is to tackle one room at a time, starting with the rooms furthest from the front door and working your way towards it. This way you will not have to manoeuvre around boxes you have already packed. Remember to leave the packing of clothes, kitchen items, and personal care products you need every day until last.  Clothes and lighter items go into large boxes, while kitchen goods, books, and heavy items should be packed in smaller boxes. A handy tip to save packing material is to alternate bed linen between fragile items such as porcelain figurines, glassware, etc.

PLAN THE FURNITURE LAYOUT: Together with your family, sketch out where the furniture will go in the new home. First, consider the location of the wall sockets to decide where to place electrical appliances and the furniture that will house them. Position children's study desks as close to a window as possible. For those interested in a more holistic approach, there is an entire philosophy dedicated to the arrangement of furniture and objects in the home and how they influence our well-being. This art is known as feng shui.

PACKING LIST: This point is more of a clarification than a task to add to your pre-move list. For national or international moves, the removal company will be responsible for drawing up the inventory of everything transported. For local moves, this list is not necessary, as delivery takes place on the same day as collection.

GENERAL CLEAN: Another equally important task is a thorough clean. Start by taking your rugs to the entrance and finding a company that offers dry cleaning services. You can do the same with curtains, duvets, blankets, etc.

DAYS OFF WORK: Under the standard collective bargaining agreement, employees are legally entitled to 1 paid day off for a house move. This may be extended depending on the specific collective agreement that applies to your employer.

THE DAYS BEFORE THE MOVE

STAY POSITIVE: You have probably hired a removal company not only because of the competitive price but also because of positive reviews online or a recommendation from someone you trust. This means you can feel confident that the work will be done professionally and efficiently. So try to stay relaxed and calm — both in the days leading up to the move and on moving day itself. If you have followed these simple tips you will not be caught off guard. And even if things do not go exactly to plan, a positive attitude will make the people helping you far more collaborative.

RECONFIRM: In the days before the move, get back in touch with your chosen removal company to confirm the service date, the time they will start, and any last-minute details you need to pass on.

NOTIFY YOUR NEIGHBOURS: Strictly speaking, it is usually not necessary to inform your residents' association unless the building bylaws require it. However, as a matter of courtesy, it is a good idea to let the building manager and your neighbours know the date of your move — this will help minimise any inconvenience. You can also leave a note in the lift to let everyone know. Your neighbours will appreciate it. 

PLAN AN ACTIVITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN: It is advisable to keep children under 6 away from the house on moving day. You can arrange an outing with a family member — a trip to the park for a fun afternoon outdoors is ideal. If moving day falls on a school day, the children will come home full of energy, so you will need to plan something to keep them entertained.