Using Happy Man and Van Ltd. for your upcoming move will ensure that everything will be handled carefully, with our experienced team. Often there isn’t enough time to plan in advance of moving, but there are a few things you can do, to make sure you avoid stress on the day.

Before you start

You don’t need to leave everything to the day before the move. Consider what you don’t need to take with you, what will need careful packing, and that you are covered for potential breakages.

• Make a priority packing list.
• Take some time to sift through your belongings and have a clear-out. You can make up a box for charity and if you’ve time, hold a car boot sale or log onto an online auction, then put the proceeds of your sold goods towards some redecorating or a new carpet.
• Calculate how many boxes you will need and get these well in advance. Find boxes in a variety of sizes. Think about what else will be useful, such as strong tape, bubble wrap, and self-seal bags for keeping nuts and bolts together. Save old newspapers for lining boxes.
• Don’t completely fill large boxes, as they will be too heavy to move. Our Porters are strong but can be injured through overfilled boxes.
• Use sturdy packing boxes, particularly for heavier items, or your belongings may end up strewn all over the pavement. Boxes made from corrugated cardboard are stronger than regular ones. Happy Man and Van can provide you with good quality boxes at a really low cost and deliver them to you in advance of your move day!
• Family Pets need very careful planning of course. Cats and dogs will sense something is about to happen that is not their normal routine. Buy or borrow a secure cage, so they can arrive at your new home safe and sound. Goldfish must be packed in small containers, not in their original tank. Bear in mind that fish tanks can spill over when moved in a van, and must be emptied completely, not only to protect your valuable fish but also remember water is very heavy and the tank cannot be lifted safely by removal men. Our removal men might sometimes attempt moving a fish tank with water but is at your own risk entirely.
• Check that your contents insurance will cover damage and breakages during the move. All Happy Man and Van Ltd. moves include Goods in Transit Insurance, which covers the time your valuables and furniture are in one of our Vans.
• Put all hazardous materials, such as paint, bleach and aerosols, into a separate box and keep them away from the rest of your stuff.
• By packing one room at a time, and labelling them with a simple room name, Happy Man and Van will be certain to place boxes in the correct room at your new home. This makes unpacking so much more fun!

Here is a quick checklist to help plan…

• Make a list of fixtures that you are leaving.
• Make a note of your removal dates and times for Happy Man and van Limited and our van team and van to arrive. It is wise these days to add these dates to your mobile phone Calendar, along with contact numbers for Happy Man and Van, your new address, and any agent involved in case you have any problems on arrival with keys, or Utility supplies and more…

If you have a garage that has been used for storage (most of us do have one of these, and the poor car sits outside) then you urgently need to sort out the contents, and make  decisions about what things you can do without…maybe a tip run in the car, in advance can often save you money, as your removals Company Van, can be charged, but private cars are free. Try and avoid the last-minute panic over stuff left in your garage that you don’t want.

Dismantle self-assembly furniture, unless you have already agreed that we do this for you. This can again save you a great deal of money, because whilst our porters are skilled to do this for you, it can take some hours, and again if you, or a friend, can do this in advance of moving day, then it is going to save you a great deal of money.

Kitchen appliances – arrange for these to be properly disconnected, including your washing machine, cooker and fridge. We are not allowed under health and safety to re-connect your electrical items, so again you need to do a little forward planning for reconnection.

Arrange for your electricity, gas, and water meters to be read, and inform your suppliers. Plus remember to arrange for Broadband to be moved or discontinued.

Fridges and Freezers – We cannot move fridges that are full of frozen food, as they will melt in the van, and could leak over some of your other valuables. Run down your fridge in advance of moving day, or if there is little time left, try and arrange for a friend to keep items in their fridge until your fridge is running again at your new home. Then you can move the food in insulated bags, without them thawing, and spoiling.

• On Moving Day

Lock up any valuables somewhere safe, and carry them personally to your new home

Before our removal, van departs be sure to check that there is nothing left behind.

Ensure that you have given our van driver the new address of your property, and a phone number to contact you. Agree a time of arrival.

Be sure to try and arrive at the new property with keys, before the removal van. Delays are chargeable extra to an estimate or quote, as our men and van are costly assets.