It’s rare for a house move to go off without a hitch – from bad weather to delays in getting the keys, there are many things that can go wrong, many of which you can’t plan for. But there are a few things you can put in place to reduce the impact of moving day hitches.

As part of your planning for moving day, have a think about what items you will want straight away when you get access to your new house. Pack these together and put them in your car or removal vehicle last so that they are the first thing you bring through the front door.

Here’s what we think you will want to have handy during your house move

Refreshments – moving home is exhausting enough without depriving yourself of food and drink. Lay on plenty of snacks, as well as a kettle with tea, coffee and milk. Don’t forget mugs and glasses and soft drinks, as well, particularly in hot weather. Have a think about your first meal in your new home, too.

Utilities information – With any luck, the previous occupants of your new home will have left everything shipshape, and will have informed the supplier that they are moving home. But sometimes, particularly if the property has been empty for a while, the utilities may be disconnected, or switched off.

Before moving day, try to get information about the location of the fuse box, gas, electricity and water meters, water stopcocks and the gas supply valve.

You’ll also need to know which company supplies your new home with gas and electricity: Citizen’s Advice has some helpful information on that. And to find out who provides your water and sewerage services, use Water UK.

Be ready to take meter readings as soon as you arrive at your new property. You’ll need these to ensure you’re not charged for utilities you did not use.

Basic tool kit – Keep a few simple tools like a hammer, a few screwdrivers, scissors and a stanley knife to hand when moving house. That way you’ll be ready to cut open packaging, hang a few pictures, and dissemble or assemble any flatpack furniture. A marker pen and extra tape are also useful.

First aid kit – A first aid kit is crucial for dealing with any minor injuries that happen during your move. You could also include painkillers for the inevitable stress headache. Remember to keep any prescription meds you need in reach during your move as well.

Cleaning supplies – No one cleans like you do, and it’s likely there will be a few mucky spots in your new home that the previous occupants missed. It’s likely that your entryways will get muddy, too, particularly if the weather is bad. Having cleaning supplies handy during your move means you can quickly clean up without stress.

Bedding for your first night – If you don’t want to be sleeping on a bare mattress and don’t fancy booking into a local hotel, put your first night bedding in easy reach when you move house.

Keys – you’ll need these to get into your new place and to access any outbuildings and garages. Another key you might want to keep handy during your house move is the key to your storage unit. Some people use self-storage to get breathing space with a move. For example, if you haven’t been able to get your moving out and moving in days aligned, or if you want to do some decorating or deep cleaning before you move everything in. You could also use a self-storage lock-up to secure valuable or fragile items until you’ve got a safe place for them in your new home.

By the way, did you know that you can rent a storage unit – and insure your stored goods with Store and Insure – for just a few days if you need to? To find out more about insuring your stored goods for a set period, get a quote today.

Do whatever you need to do to get through moving day

Moving house is a stressful life event, so whatever you can do to make it easier on yourself should be of benefit.