No matter how you slice it, moving is a daunting task. From packing every bit and bob to coordinating with movers, it’s a logistical challenge. But what if your moving day coincides with a public holiday? Well, that’s an added complexity. But don’t worry. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can plan a move around UK public holidays to minimize disruption.
Understand the Public Holidays Calendar
Before you start your planning, it’s essential to understand how UK public holidays work. In the United Kingdom, public holidays are known as ‘bank holidays’. The term originated in the 19th Century when these were days off for bank employees.
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There are eight permanent bank holidays throughout the year, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May bank holiday, Spring bank holiday, Summer bank holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. In addition to these, there may be additional holidays declared for special events.
Understanding when these holidays fall can help you plan your move efficiently. However, remember that while banks and most businesses are closed on these holidays, many service industries, like moving companies, still operate.
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Consider Travel During Off-Peak Times
The challenge with moving around public holidays is that many people will be traveling for holidays or long weekends. This can lead to congested roads, crowded public transportation, and perhaps most significantly, fully booked moving companies.
To avoid these complications, consider scheduling your move during off-peak times. In most cases, this will be early in the morning or late in the evening. On the day of the move, try to hit the road as early as possible to avoid traffic.
Check with Airlines Regarding Flight Schedules and Delays
If your move involves a journey by flight, you need to be extra cautious. Airlines often have altered schedules on bank holidays, and there’s the added risk of flight delays. It’s vital, therefore, to check with the airlines well in advance.
In the holiday season, flights are generally overbooked. Therefore, even a minor delay can cause a significant disruption to your plans. To stay on the safe side, book your flights well in advance and keep a buffer time between your flight arrival and the moving company’s arrival at your new home.
Be Prepared for Higher Costs
Moving during a holiday can be more expensive than on regular days. Moving companies may charge a premium for working on a bank holiday, and the same applies to airlines. Therefore, while planning your move around a holiday, be ready to shell out a little more.
One way to mitigate this is by using your credit card points to your advantage. Many credit cards offer reward points that can be redeemed for airline tickets or hotel stays.
Stay in Constant Communication with Your Moving Company
Lastly, it’s essential to maintain constant communication with your moving company. This is particularly true when you’re planning a move around a holiday when schedules can be unpredictable and timings may change.
Provide your moving company with all the necessary details about your travel plans, including your flight numbers and estimated arrival times. This will allow them to adjust their schedules in case of any delays or changes.
In conclusion, moving around a bank holiday can be a bit more challenging, but with careful planning and preparation, it’s entirely doable. So, start planning, and make your move as smooth as possible. Remember, it’s not just about the move – it’s also about starting a new chapter of your life. So, make sure it starts on a positive note.
Compare Rates and Fees of Different Moving Companies
Starting with the first step in planning a move, it’s important to compare rates and fees of various moving companies. During bank holidays, these costs can significantly spike due to the high demand. Companies may charge additional fees for working on a bank holiday, and this can heavily impact your budget.
You might notice a considerable difference in rates from one company to another, and this could be due to various factors such as distance, weight of the belongings, and whether the move is local or long distance. Make sure to get quotes from at least three different moving companies for comparison. You should also check whether these quotes include everything or if there are any additional costs that might pop up later.
If you’re moving to Northern Ireland, for instance, the moving costs may be higher due to the logistics involved. Also, if your moving date coincides with a holiday such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, or Christmas Day, the rates can be significantly higher. While comparing rates, don’t forget to check the reputation of the moving company. You can do this by reading customer reviews or asking for recommendations from friends and family.
If the costs appear too high, consider changing your moving date to a non-holiday or negotiate the price with the moving company. Some companies may be willing to give a discount if you’re flexible with your moving date.
Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards
In case you do end up booking your move on a bank holiday and the costs are higher than you expected, there’s another way to offset some of these costs. If you have a credit card, look into your reward points.
Cards like Chase Sapphire and American Express offer rewards that can be used for various purposes. You can use these points to pay for your flight if you’re moving to a different city. Alternatively, these points can also be used to book a hotel in case you need to stay overnight during your move.
Keep in mind that you should first check the balance transfer rates before using your reward points. If the rates are high, it might make more sense to pay in cash instead of using your points. You also need to check whether your points are enough to cover the cost of your flight or hotel.
Don’t forget that these rewards are not limited to these specific cards. Many credit cards offer reward points that can be redeemed for different services. So, make sure to check the rewards program of your credit card.
Conclusion
Moving house is a big task, and it can become even more challenging when it coincides with a bank holiday. But with careful planning, you can make it happen smoothly. Start by understanding when the bank holidays fall and plan accordingly. Compare the rates and fees of different moving companies and be prepared for higher costs. Consider travel during off-peak times and stay in constant communication with your moving company.
To offset some of the costs, you can use your credit card reward points. Cards like the American Express and Chase Sapphire offer rewards that can be redeemed for various services. Make sure to check the balance transfer rates and whether your points are enough to cover your costs.
Moving is not just about packing your things and shifting to a new place. It’s about starting a new chapter in your life. So, plan carefully and transition into your new home without any hassles. With the right approach and preparation, you can make your move around a holiday Monday or any other public holiday a success. Happy moving!
