If you’re planning a move to London, you’re not alone. The UK’s capital is one of the world’s financial nerve centres, as well as one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities on the planet, and real estate inside the M25 is always in demand.

However, moving house in London provides its own unique challenges. This means that the single best tip on moving house to the capital is to employ highly skilled and experienced professional removalists who are familiar with the city and its idiosyncrasies. There are, however, other things one can do to make the process easier for all involved; here is a selection of tips that will expedite moving house.

Tips for preparing to move

The aphorism that proper preparation prevents poor performance is absolutely true when it comes to moving home. Tips for preparing efficiently include the following:

Research and engage professional movers

Like all cities, London has its share of fly-by-night movers. New arrivals headed for luxury destinations can be attractive targets for such companies, and it is thus imperative to make sure you are engaging a company that is reputable, experienced and professional.

Look for a company with a long and verifiable history of operating in the city and positive reviews that actually recount clients’ experiences; conversely, beware of companies that have a suspicious number of five-star reviews with no accompanying text. A genuinely reputable mover will offer an initial consultation, work with you to formulate a plan for the move day, communicate clearly throughout the process, and be happy to answer any questions you may have. They will also understand the importance of handling your belongings with care.

It is also important to organise movers well in advance of your move date. Reputable moving companies are always in high demand in London!

Familiarise yourself with your destination

Greater London has coalesced over the centuries from an ever-expanding network of villages and town centres, resulting in an unusual layout and associated logistical issues. The Square Mile, meanwhile, is a maze of ancient streets that were never designed for cars, let alone lorries.

This means that even parts of London that are relatively close geographically can present very different experiences for movers: moving to Chelsea or Fulham, for instance, is a very different proposition than moving to Westminster or Belgravia.

It will be helpful to know how you’re going to gain access to your new property: are there parking restrictions? How wide is the street? Is it relatively close to a motorway, or will the movers need to allow time for navigating local streets? A good mover will ask all these questions; having the answers to hand will be greatly appreciated. Having a good idea of what to expect will also allow movers to liaise with local authorities to mitigate potential issues—for example, ensuring that there are no changed parking conditions planned for your move day, or that no work is scheduled that will require street closures nearby.

Plan out what will go where

One underappreciated tip for moving is having a clear idea of where furniture, bookshelves, pieces of art and other large items are to go. Professional removalists will be happy to assist with installation of artwork and other high-value items, but doing so requires knowledge of exactly where a picture will be hung or a sculpture placed. Understanding the destination’s layout also allows movers to pack a truck efficiently, allowing items to be unloaded in an order that avoids the need for double-handling.

Tips for packing to move

Packing is one of the most significant—and most daunting—parts of moving home. Packing tips include the following:

Leave it to the professionals

As far as possible, it is generally advisable to leave the task of packing to the professionals. This is especially important for high-value pieces, irregularly-shaped items and anything else that requires any more work than simply stacking in a box.

Experienced professionals will be able to both ensure that such items are packed in a manner that will protect them from damage, while also minimising the volume and weight of the packed item.

Ensure the use of quality packing materials

In either case, it is imperative that the nature and quality of the packing materials used is considered carefully. Even items like books can require specialised packaging—antique or fragile books, in particular, should always be placed in acid-free paper. Professionals will provide high-quality bubble wrap and the like; cheap, low-quality alternatives should generally be avoided.

Create a checklist

The task of keeping track of a multitude of boxes and packages—and remembering exactly which items are in which box—can be overwhelming. One simple tip for moving home efficiently is to keep a checklist of each box and its contents. It is difficult to overstate the value of being able to locate necessities like bedding, kitchen implements and bathroom material with a minimum of fuss! This can be made even easier by placing all these items in a single box that can be kept separately for quick access after the move is complete.

Label boxes clearly

This is a complement to the previous tip: when moving house, a simple way to keep track of boxes is to colour-code labels for each room. This allows the movers to see at a glance where a box needs to go, and also makes the process of packing the truck all the more straightforward.

Tips for the move day

Even with the best planning, the day of a move can throw up unexpected hurdles: a nearby traffic accident, a Tube strike, an unseasonal deluge, or all manner of other impediments. Beyond hiring a reputable moving company, perhaps the single most important tip when moving house in London is to expect the unexpected.

The key to managing unexpected problems is good communication and mutual trust. If you arrive at the destination property to find that something has changed unexpectedly, let the driver know as quickly as possible. A good moving company will work with you to formulate alternative arrangements, and also liaise with authorities to ascertain how long potential obstacles might remain in place. Ultimately, a smooth move is in everyone’s interests!