Talking property

As more people take their belongings out of storage, is the market moving, asks ISABEL MORTON

WE HAVE very good friends who have five children and have moved 13 times over the last 25 years. All of the properties were within the same general area and the moves were made due to their changing needs (which accounts for five of the 13), or quite simply, because the notion appealed to them.

They managed to turn the gruesome process of moving house into a family adventure and actually appear to enjoy the experience. They are not the norm.

Most people find that the mere notion of having to uproot their entire lives to move elsewhere to be nothing short of horrific. They may look forward to living in a new area or a different house, but they hate the idea of the actual move itself.

Moving home, particularly with young children in tow, requires major organisation, ruthless planning and endless lists and schedules, in order to avoid crying into a box of Christmas decorations, which you were absolutely sure was the box containing the mugs, kettle and teabags or the one packed with your children’s favourite bedtime toys and books.

It’s usually the little things, which finally cause you to snap, such as the absence of light bulbs and loo paper, or not being able to figure out how to turn on the central heating.

But, there are also a number of things you might not have foreseen happening, such as the family cat “marking” his territory in every room of the house, or the six-year-old child who refuses to sleep and begs to be brought “home” to his old bedroom in his “real” house at 4am.

There are, of course, a number of different ways of moving house. The DIY version involves a van, which you hire, pack, unpack and drive yourself.

This is only suitable for young people who have high energy levels and have not yet spent enough time on this planet to accumulate many possessions.

Some just hire a furniture removal company to transport their goods and chattels, which they will already have sorted and packed themselves and will happily unpack again at the other end. This system is fine for organised control freaks (like myself) who want to be in charge of every last detail, including the contents of each individual box.

You could, of course, hire a furniture removal company who will do the packing and unpacking for you. This system works well if you have accumulated a large number of small items – such as books, china, glass wear, etc – but only if you have sufficient suitable storage space ready to receive these items when they are professionally unpacked in the new house.

And, where good removals firms are experienced and instinctively know where to place furniture and other items, they can’t be expected to be inspired as to how you wish to live, and do require some instruction.

Professional relocation services are hired by corporate and diplomatic families to facilitate their frequent moves. Since many are posted abroad, the relocation agents are required to source suitable rental properties, arrange packing and shipping, assist with form filling, have utility services connected and even source suitable schools for their client’s children.

Of course, the ultimate way to move house is to hire a professional team to take over the entire job from start to finish. This service is ideal for couples with demanding careers, families with young children and those moving to properties which require some minor alterations or redecoration.

Depending on the size of the property and the amount of work required, the client is usually encouraged to take a short holiday or move into a hotel or other temporary accommodation for a few days.

In their absence, a team of people will make whatever alterations are necessary to the new property and supervise the removal company, cleaners, decorators and all other services. They will arrange the furniture and belongings, have beds made, clothes hung and everything made ready for the client’s arrival.

In these recessionary times, this service might be considered a luxury by some, but many believe that the relatively small additional cost is balanced out by being entirely relieved of the stressful and time-consuming business of moving house.

Furniture removal and storage companies tell me that they are storing furniture for a number of people who are renting while extending and renovating their homes. They have also been storing furniture for several months, and in some cases years, for clients who sold their properties, but have yet to buy again.

Recently, however, these companies have noticed some small “movement” as people show signs of wanting to unpack their storage containers and start living their lives again.