Autumn can be an excellent time to move house. The summer rush has started to ease, temperatures are generally more comfortable for lifting and carrying, and many people want to be settled into their new home before winter and Christmas arrive.
However, moving during September, October or November also brings a few seasonal challenges.
Daylight hours become noticeably shorter, rain can arrive with very little warning, fallen leaves can make paths slippery, and colder evenings mean you need to know that the heating and utilities at your new property are working properly.
A little extra preparation can make an autumn house move considerably easier.
Working through an ultimate moving house checklist in advance can help make sure important jobs are completed before moving day arrives.
Here are ten things worth considering before moving day.
Make the Most of Shorter Daylight Hours
One of the biggest differences between moving in summer and moving during autumn is the amount of usable daylight.
By September the evenings are already beginning to draw in, and this becomes much more noticeable throughout October and November. Once the clocks change towards the end of October, darkness can arrive surprisingly early.
Where possible, arrange for the removal process to begin early in the morning.
The aim should be to complete as much loading, travelling and unloading as possible while there is still good natural light. This is particularly important where either property has steps, narrow paths, uneven ground or difficult vehicle access.
If unloading could continue into the evening, check that the outside lighting at your new property works before moving day.
It is also worth keeping a good torch somewhere easily accessible rather than packing it at the bottom of a moving box.
Prepare for Rain and Wet Weather
Even if the forecast looks promising several days before your move, autumn weather can change quickly.
Rain creates two main problems during a house move: protecting your belongings and protecting both properties.
Strong cardboard boxes should be properly sealed rather than simply folded closed. Items that are particularly vulnerable to moisture can be given additional protection before being loaded onto the removal vehicle.
Avoid leaving boxes outside while waiting for loading or unloading.
A professional packing and unpacking service can also help ensure fragile belongings and household contents are properly protected before they are loaded.
At the property itself, think about how people will move repeatedly between the vehicle and the house. Wet shoes can quickly bring mud and water onto carpets, wooden flooring and tiles.
Having suitable protection ready means the removal team can work efficiently without everyone having to remove footwear every few minutes.
Protect Flooring at Both Properties
Floor protection becomes particularly important during an autumn move.
Rainwater, mud and wet leaves can easily be carried indoors, particularly when movers are making dozens of journeys between the property and the removal vehicle.
Protective floor runners, sheets or suitable temporary coverings can be placed along the main route through the house.
Pay particular attention to:
- Hallways
- Entrances
- Staircases
- Carpeted rooms
- Wooden flooring
- Recently fitted flooring
The aim isn’t only to avoid dirt. Wet floors can also become slippery, creating an unnecessary safety risk when people are carrying furniture or heavy boxes.
It is worth checking the condition of entrances and flooring at the new property before unloading starts.
Check the Heating and Utilities Before Moving In
Discovering that the heating isn’t working after spending an entire autumn day moving furniture isn’t ideal.
If possible, check the utilities at your new home before moving day.
Make sure the electricity and water supplies are operating normally and confirm that the heating system can be switched on.
If the property has gas appliances, these should be in suitable working order and any required safety or servicing arrangements should already have been dealt with.
It is also a sensible time to familiarise yourself with the boiler, thermostat and heating controls.
Knowing how everything works before the temperature drops can make the first few days in your new home considerably more comfortable.
Check Gutters, Drainage and the Roof
Autumn is when small exterior maintenance problems can quickly become noticeable.
Falling leaves can block gutters and drains, while persistent rain may reveal leaks that weren’t obvious during the summer.
Before or shortly after moving into your new home, take a look at the exterior of the property.
Check for obvious problems with:
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- External drains
- Roof tiles
- Flat roofing
- Garden drainage
- Paths and entrances
If gutters are already full of leaves, dealing with them before prolonged wet weather arrives can help reduce the risk of overflowing water and damp problems.
You don’t necessarily need to resolve every maintenance job before moving day, but knowing what requires attention allows you to prioritise the important jobs before winter.
Prepare Garden Furniture and Outdoor Equipment
Garden items are easy to overlook when planning a move.
Tables, chairs, barbecues, plant pots, gardening tools, children’s outdoor equipment and other items may all need transporting.
During autumn these items may already be wet, muddy or covered with fallen leaves.
Clean and dry them as much as possible before the removal team arrives. This prevents unnecessary dirt and moisture being transferred into the removal vehicle or your new property.
Drain any water from garden hoses and empty outdoor containers.
As colder weather approaches, it is also worth checking outside taps and other exposed water supplies at the new property so they can be properly protected from freezing conditions later in the year.
Doing this before moving day also gives you an opportunity to decide whether everything in the garden is actually worth taking.
Keep a Moving-Day Autumn Essentials Box
There are certain things you don’t want disappearing into the back of the removal vehicle.
Prepare a clearly labelled box or bag containing everything you’re likely to need during the day and immediately after arriving at your new home.
For an autumn move, useful items could include:
- Warm clothing
- Additional layers
- Waterproof jackets
- Sturdy footwear
- A torch
- The kettle
- Mugs
- Tea and coffee
- Basic food and snacks
Being able to make a hot drink after several hours of loading and unloading is particularly welcome on a cold or wet moving day.
You may also want to include:
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Important paperwork
- Basic tools
- A change of clothes
Keep this box with you rather than loading it somewhere difficult to reach.
Following a few practical packing tips for moving house can make it easier to organise boxes room by room and keep essential items separate.
Take Extra Care Around Wet Leaves and Slippery Paths
Fallen leaves can become extremely slippery when wet.
Before the removal vehicle arrives, check the route between the property and the likely parking position.
Sweep leaves away from paths, steps and entrances where possible.
Also look for:
- Loose paving
- Moss
- Mud
- Standing water
- Poor lighting
- Slippery decking
- Uneven steps
A small amount of preparation can significantly improve safety when people are carrying large or heavy items.
Do the same check at your new property before unloading begins.
If weather conditions become particularly poor, it may be necessary to adjust how items are moved between the vehicle and property rather than rushing the process.
Confirm Your Removal Arrangements and Have a Contingency Plan
A few days before moving, confirm the arrangements with your removal company.
Check:
- The moving date
- The arrival time
- The collection address
- The destination address
- Parking arrangements
- Access restrictions
- Stairs or long carrying distances
- Any difficult entrances
Autumn weather makes having a contingency plan particularly useful.
Heavy rain, strong winds or severe weather could affect loading times, travel or the safe handling of certain items.
This doesn’t necessarily mean postponing the move. It simply means everyone should know what will happen if conditions aren’t as expected.
Allowing a little flexibility in your schedule can remove a lot of unnecessary pressure from moving day.
If completion dates change or you cannot move everything directly into the new property, storage for moving house can provide a useful temporary option until the property is ready.
Deal With Utilities, Broadband and Address Changes Early
Some moving tasks are much easier when they are completed before the boxes start piling up.
Take final gas and electricity meter readings when leaving your old property and record the readings at your new home when you arrive.
Photographing the meters can give you a useful record of the readings and the date.
Make sure the relevant suppliers have been informed of your move.
Broadband should also be arranged well before moving day. Installation appointments or service transfers can sometimes take time, so dealing with this two to four weeks in advance can help avoid spending the first few weeks without reliable internet access.
This becomes particularly important if someone in your household works from home.
There are also several organisations that may need your new address, including:
- Your local council for Council Tax
- Banks and building societies
- Insurance providers
- Your employer
- The DVLA where applicable
- Utility providers
- Broadband and telephone providers
Setting up mail redirection can also help catch anything you’ve forgotten.
Moving House in Autumn Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
Moving during autumn simply requires slightly different preparation from a summer house move.
Shorter days mean starting earlier makes sense. Wetter conditions mean protecting floors and keeping access routes clear. Cooler temperatures mean making sure heating and utilities are ready before you arrive.
Taking a little time to prepare garden items, organise your essentials and plan for unpredictable weather can make moving day much easier.
Most importantly, don’t leave everything until the morning of the move.
A well-planned autumn removal gives you the best chance of getting your belongings safely into your new property while there is still plenty of daylight, before settling in somewhere warm with the kettle on.
Anyone planning removals in Taunton during autumn should allow a little extra flexibility for wet weather, access conditions and shorter daylight hours.
Now We’re Moving can help with packing, transportation, storage and the complete removal process. Speak to our team about your move and we can help you plan the practical details before moving day arrives.
