10 top moving house tips from Britain’s favourite removal man

Everyone knows moving house can be one of the most stressful things you ever do – almost as hard to navigate emotionally as divorce or bereavement.

But there’s a lot you can do to make the process less stressful. And Anthony Ward Thomas, founder of Anthony Ward Thomas Removals, who has helped some of the most famous people in the country relocate, has some wise words to help make any move go more smoothly.

Celebrity clients

Anthony has had a host of famous clients since he started almost 40 years ago. He’s helped Keira Knightley, Simon Cowell, Geri Halliwell-Horner, David Schwimmer, Boy George, and Pippa Middleton move house, to name just a few of his celeb clients.

But he’s also moved many ordinary folks too since he started in 1985. “Some people are coming to us now for their sixth move,” he explains when we meet him.

Extreme moves

No move is too extreme: the firm has used everything from a helicopter to move furniture into a Swiss penthouse to a donkey to navigate the steep lanes of an Italian village.

Invasion of privacy

Anthony is clear about just how much of an upheaval moving can be he says, “People hate it so much because they are effectively allowing a bunch of total strangers into their house, into their drawers, into their office, into their life.

“It’s an invasion of one’s privacy, and personality. That’s the thing that causes the stress.”

To reduce this stress, Anthony believes it’s important to spend time building a relationship with his clients before the move.

He feels the distinctive red uniforms his team members wear help instil confidence, too: “These things sound very little, but on moving day, as the door opens and there’s a team of guys there all looking smart – with red tops, tailored shorts, red socks and dark boots or shoes – you immediately take a sort of big deep breath and relax, and you feel more at ease.

“The clients’ trust all begins with the presentation. We spend a lot on keeping our vehicles looking smart for the same reason.”

Avoid getting ripped off

Anthony is keen for people to avoid getting ripped off by unreliable, fly-by-night operators who advertise online.

He says, “You wouldn’t get some cheap company called ‘Dig it or Burn it’ to do your mother’s funeral. You’d ask around – you’d do some research.

And you need to apply the same principle to removals. Don’t use someone you dug up from page five of Google just because they are cheap. You’re entrusting all your worldly goods to this person.”

As well as the internet, the other main change that Anthony has seen in the 40 years since he set up the business is an increase in the amount of possessions people own.

He says, “It’s like consumerism’s gone mad – and then went mad again. When I first started in 1985, I could do a four-bedroom terraced Victorian house for a family of three in a day. It now takes me three days.

“Back in the day, you had one television, you had one sofa, and one armchair. Now, everyone in the family has their own sofa and chair and devices in their own room. There’s just a lot more stuff to move.”

Here are Anthony’s top ten tips for moving all that that stuff

1. Get all your info together – and make a ‘to do’ list

Prepare a house-move ‘to do’ list and put together a folder containing everything from floorplans and inventories to useful phone numbers and utility company details for both locations.

Having all this information in one place, alongside the task list, will help you manage your move.

Put on the list everything you need to do from researching parking restrictions at your new place to setting up post re-direction, taking meter readings to organising utility services, and tick them off as you go.

Give everything on the list a deadline, and assign each task so everyone helping you knows exactly who’s responsible for each job.

Take the edge off last-minute cleaning by organising an end-of-tenancy clean too.

2. Book early and hire professionals

Don’t cut costs with a DIY move. Set your budget and get three quotes – paying a bit more for peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.

Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations so you can feel confident in the service you’re booking.

Anthony says, “When consumers Google removals, they find the market is swamped with a tsunami of  ‘man and a van’ companies all claiming to offer reliable and cut-price services.

In fact, these are often just a front for companies willing to take a quote and pass it on to the cheapest operator they can find. We’ve been contacted numerous times by clients who have been let down on move day.”

He continues, “If anyone says to me, ‘I’ve got a cheap price,’ 500 quid or so, I say to them, ‘That’s fine, but what are they supplying you with?’.

And they invariably reply, ‘Oh, they haven’t given us any detail…’ I say, ‘How many men are they supplying? What size lorry?’ If the reply is, ‘Oh, well, it doesn’t say,’ I say, ‘Well, what if one bloke and a wheelbarrow turn up?’.”

Anthony believes that, because moving is such a stressful experience, it’s important movers go above and beyond to help their clients feel that they are in safe hands.

He says, “Trust is everything in this business. If clients see a chap casually chucking something of great sentimental value to them into a box, they will rightly be worried for the rest of the day.

But, if they see someone in a smart uniform wrapping it up carefully, they will relax and leave the team to it. Making each move as stress-free as possible helps us, as well as the client, and the first impressions that movers make are really important.”

3. Get insurance

A good removal company will be able to offer different levels of insurance cover for your possessions. Take the time to discuss the different options with them to ensure you are fully covered.

4. Research your new area

Spend time finding out all about your new area – from schools to sports and medical facilities, shops to restaurants – so you can feel at home from Day One. See if any of your friends know anyone who lives there who can offer tips too.

5. Declutter and recycle well in advance

Well before your move is the time to go through your attic or basement and let go of all that stuff you’ve held on to for years.

Think about what you want to keep and what you can sell, donate, recycle or dump. De-cluttering is less overwhelming if you do it gradually and give yourself enough time to work through your home room by room.

Some charities, such as the British Heart Foundation or The Salvation Army, will often come and collect large items.

Anthony says, “We find our clients often need a little bit of help sorting out their stuff and getting on top of what they want to keep, chuck or giveaway.

“We work with a professional de-clutterer to help people with moving out, moving in and moving on – in every sense.

“Moves can be overwhelming and are often prompted by a significant life change – typically a birth, divorce or death.

“So, to have a helping hand navigating you through what can be a very stressful time, is a godsend. If you’re downsizing and needing to clear out, you need to let go of possessions psychologically as well as physically.

“It’s a cathartic experience, but one that is easier navigated with a good team by your side.”

6. Use good quality packing materials

Your boxes should be at least two ply in thickness to ensure they don’t collapse during transportation.

Remember to pack heavy items in small boxes.

7. Make a packing plan

Label the boxes with what’s in them, where they’ve come from and where they’re going to.

Create an inventory and pack room by room, so, when you get to your new home, it’s easy to unpack room by room too.

The most efficient way to pack for a household move is to start at the top of the house and work downwards.

8. Pack a survival kit

It’s worth keeping a box of essentials aside to get you through the first night.

Include: phone chargers, a kettle, coffee/teabags, clean clothes, nightwear, washbags, bedding for the first night, basic cleaning supplies, snacks, towels, pet food, loo rolls, something for breakfast, and children’s iPads and favourite toys.

9. Involve your children

Moving is a big change for the little ones too.

So, depending on their age, do what you can to make the moving process fun for your children.

Consider buying them their own special wheelie bag to contain everything they need for the first night in their new home.

10. Look at storage options

If you haven’t got all your decluttering done in time, or you’re downsizing, consider arranging to store any possessions until you have made space for them or have time to sell them once the move is completed.

Try to make this a short-term arrangement as storage units are expensive.

Remember, if you don’t need to access your storage, you’ll be able to negotiate better rates.

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