If you’re looking for movers in Norfolk, it is worth considering more than simply how many boxes you have. Where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, and the type of property involved can all make a difference to how the day goes.
Moving house can be exciting, but it can also involve a surprising number of practical challenges. From packing up your belongings to getting everything safely through the front door of your new home, there is plenty to think about before moving day arrives.
Norfolk is home to everything from busy town centres and modern developments to rural cottages, coastal homes and properties surrounded by countryside. That variety is one of the things that makes moving around the county interesting – but it can also create some challenges worth preparing for.
Movers in Norfolk
No two moves are exactly the same.
Moving from a modern house on a new-build development may involve relatively straightforward access, but there could be restrictions on parking or limited space for a removal vehicle.
A village cottage could have a narrow entrance, small doorways or a road where parking is more difficult. A rural property might involve a long driveway, while a coastal home could have its own parking and access considerations.
Even moving between two properties in the same town can be completely different depending on the buildings involved.
This is why it is useful to think about your move as more than simply getting from one postcode to another.
Consider the access before moving day
One of the easiest things to overlook is how belongings will actually get from the removal vehicle into the house.
Look at both properties before moving day and consider:
- Where will the removal vehicle park?
- Is there enough room to unload safely?
- Are there gates or narrow entrances?
- How far will furniture need to be carried?
- Are there stairs or communal entrances?
- Are there particularly narrow doorways?
- Could parked cars make access difficult?
These questions might seem obvious, but they can be surprisingly easy to overlook when you’re concentrating on everything else involved in buying or renting a property.
If access is unusual, tell your removal company in advance. Knowing about potential problems before arriving is much easier than discovering them when the van is already outside.
Rural Norfolk moves can be different
Living in the Norfolk countryside can offer space, peace and beautiful surroundings, but rural properties can sometimes require more planning when moving house.
A property may be at the end of a long driveway or accessed via a narrow private road. There could be gates, uneven ground or limited space for a large vehicle to turn around.
A sat-nav will tell you how to get to the postcode, but it won’t necessarily tell you everything about the final few hundred metres.
If you’re moving to a rural property, it can be useful to check the access yourself beforehand and provide your movers with as much information as possible.
Don’t forget about the furniture
It’s easy to measure a room and assume your furniture will fit.
The sofa fits the living room. The bed fits the bedroom. The wardrobe fits the spare room.
But will they fit through the front door?
Furniture often has to navigate hallways, staircases, doorways and tight corners before reaching its final destination. Older Norfolk properties can have particularly unusual layouts, with narrower staircases or smaller entrances than you might find in a modern home.
Before moving day, measure larger pieces of furniture and consider the route they will need to take.
Some items may need to be dismantled before they can be moved. Planning this in advance can save time and frustration later.
Think about the house you’re leaving too
When planning a move, most of your attention is probably on the new property.
However, the old property needs just as much consideration.
A driveway that seemed perfectly adequate when you first moved in may be more challenging when a removal vehicle needs to use it. There could be gates, steps, narrow access routes or limited parking.
If you’re moving out of a flat, think about communal entrances, lifts and staircases.
The more information you can provide beforehand, the easier it is to plan the move properly.
Norfolk weather can make a difference
The weather isn’t something you can control, but it is something you can prepare for.
A dry summer moving day can feel very different from a wet autumn morning.
Rain can make outdoor routes muddy and slippery, while wet footwear can quickly lead to muddy floors inside the property. Having protective coverings available and keeping vulnerable belongings covered can help.
On the other hand, moving during particularly warm weather can be physically demanding. Make sure everyone involved has access to water and takes regular breaks.
Checking the forecast in the days before your move gives you an opportunity to think about any practical changes that might be needed.
Moving to the Norfolk coast?
Norfolk’s coastal towns and villages offer a very different setting from the county’s larger towns and cities.
Properties along the coast can include everything from modern homes to older cottages and holiday properties, some of which have unusual layouts or restricted access.
Parking can also be worth considering, particularly when moving during busy periods.
If you’re moving to or from a coastal location, think about whether seasonal traffic or visitors could affect access to the property.
A little planning around the timing of your move could make the day easier.
Prepare a first-night box
After spending weeks packing, you might assume you’ll remember exactly where everything is.
You probably won’t.
Rather than putting everything you might need into a box marked “important”, prepare one clearly labelled box or bag containing the essentials you’ll want as soon as you arrive.
This could include:
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Toilet roll
- Towels
- A change of clothes
- Tea, coffee and mugs
- Snacks
- Basic cleaning products
- Basic tools
- Important documents
If you have children or pets, remember to include anything they are likely to need too.
You may have dozens of boxes waiting to be unpacked, so having the essentials immediately available can make the first evening much easier.
Take photographs before you leave
Before the last boxes disappear into the removal vehicle, take a few photographs of your old home.
Photographs can help you remember where things were positioned and provide a record of the property’s condition when you leave.
It is also worth taking photographs of meter readings where appropriate and making sure important documents and valuables are kept somewhere secure rather than being packed away in an ordinary box.
These are small jobs, but they are much easier to do before the house is completely empty.
Give yourself time to settle in
Moving day doesn’t have to end with every box being unpacked.
Once the furniture is in place and you have access to the essentials, give yourself permission to stop.
Start with the rooms you need most. Get the kitchen working, make the beds and make sure everyone has somewhere comfortable to sit.
The rest can wait.
Moving into a new home is a significant change, and settling in doesn’t have to happen in a single day.
Choosing movers in Norfolk
If you’re comparing movers in Norfolk, it is worth looking beyond the basic cost of the move.
Consider whether the company understands the practicalities of moving different types of property and whether they ask questions about access, parking and the two properties involved.
This can be particularly useful when moving between very different parts of Norfolk – for example, from a town property to a rural home or from an urban area to the coast.
A successful move is about more than getting everything from A to B. Good preparation can make the process considerably easier for everyone involved.
Whether you’re moving across Norwich, between Norfolk towns, into the countryside or towards the coast, taking time to understand the practical details before moving day can make a noticeable difference.
The smoother the preparation, the smoother the move. Jarretts Removals are the movers Norfolk residents trust! Having helped movers in the Norfolk area since 1911, we know exactly what it takes to ensure a successful move every single time.