A recent survey of 1,000 home buyers found moving house is considered the most stressful task in life – ranking higher than having a child and even going through a divorce.

The poll by financial services firm Legal and General discovered almost half (47 per cent) of people experienced increased levels of stress due to moving and over a third (37 per cent) said packing and relocating items was the most dreaded task of a house move.

Most aspects of a stress-free relocation are in the hands of operators where progress sits outside of your control. Where possible, investing in professional, trusted and reliable firms to assist with your move is the key to a smooth process and avoiding a nightmare move.

One of our recent clients, Clare, found this out the hard way when she was let down by her removals team less than 48 hours before she legally had to leave the home she was departing.

With less a day’s notice, ISIS Removals saved the day. Here is Clare’s story.

The problem

Clare had planned her move to her dream property in Oxfordshire well in advance.

After completing a home review, Clare’s removals team allocated two days to boxing her belongings with all items scheduled to be transported on day three when Clare was required to vacate her former home.

It wasn’t long until problems started to arise.

“The team I had booked arrived late and left early on day one,” said Clare. “I had a real sinking feeling seeing how much work still had to be done.

“Only the kitchen had been packed, and there seemed to be an impossible amount of work to complete on the final day I had access to the house before I had to leave.”

Clare’s concerns were confirmed when less than 48 hours before she had to vacate the property, her removals team pulled out of the job, turning this situation into a nightmare move for Clare.

“I felt horrendous, and didn’t sleep a wink,” said Clare. “Because of the time they pulled out, I effectively had 36 hours to secure a removals company to complete the job.

“No one from my initial calls could help, I was frantic.”

How we saved the day

Clare contacted ISIS Removals at 9am on Wednesday morning.

Even with no time for a site visit, a team of removals specialists were at her front door within two hours with a full crew and trucks. The property Clare was leaving was a six bedroom, 4000 cubic foot house, which was a big move for the team to complete in very limited time.

“ISIS Removals totally saved the day,” said Clare. “The time frame they had to work with was so incredibly tight, but they got the job done.

“The team were with me before I knew it and were professional throughout. It put me at ease after a very stressful 24 hours where aspects of my home move which were out of my control went seriously wrong. They even dismantled and reassembled my furniture, which was a huge bonus!

“I couldn’t recommend ISIS Removals enough – they really saved the day and if they can solve the issues I faced they’re capable of everything.”

Quality service

Customer service and satisfaction is our number one priority at ISIS Removals.

And having a friendly and professional team to pack up and move your belongings in an efficient, professional and experienced manner is key to taking the stress out of a home move.

David Niven, Manager of ISIS Removals and Storage, said: “Clare’s story just goes to show how important it is to use a reputable and professional removals company. Opting for the cheapest option to move all your worldly possessions is not a good idea.

“This was a big job, but the team really pulled together and got it all done at short notice. We advise homeowners to always check the quality of the service they’ll be getting before committing to a company.”

If you’re interested in working with a removals company who take care of clients and provide service with a smile, contact us today to find out more about how we can help you.

Creating an outdoor kitchen or sitting room has become immensely popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Post-pandemic, we’re all more grateful than ever for our outdoor spaces, and want to make the most of every moment we can spend in them.

A recent study has found that a beautiful garden can add up to 20% to the value of your property, so if you’re thinking of moving soon, investing in your garden ahead of time is likely to pay dividends.

Below, we explore how to set about designing the perfect outdoor sitting room to enjoy all year round.

Create a sense of flow

Most people choose to position their outdoor sitting room near to their house, which means it’s important to think about creating a feeling of continuity between your indoor and outdoor spaces.

The easiest way to do this is through keeping your colour palette consistent. If the indoor room from which you exit is decorated in shades of pink, for example, be sure to incorporate some pink into your new outdoor space, through your choice of cushions or throws.

Similarly, make sure the outdoor sitting room flows into the rest of your garden through incorporating similar shades of green, and mirroring the flowers from your nearest borders in the colours and textures you choose.

Design an all-weather space

There’s nothing more frustrating than creating a beautiful space which can only be used on a handful of days in any given year. Think carefully about the positioning of your outdoor sitting room to maximise on the shelter provided by existing elements in your garden, such as established trees which will offer shade on hot days, or external walls which can shelter you from the wind.

For protection from rain, consider a pergola or other type of roofed area. Climbing plants such as clematis and roses will quickly make this feel like a natural extension of your garden.

If your garden is overlooked by the neighbours, adding this kind of cover will also give you some much-needed privacy.

Think about lighting

Are you dreaming of twinkling fairy lights artfully hung along shepherd’s crooks? Or do you want to be lit by the soft flicker of flames from your new fire pit? Either way, it’s important to think about lighting when you’re designing your space.

While long summer evenings may not need much in the way of additional lighting, you’ll be pleased to have it when those first warm spring days entice you into the garden, or when you’re enjoying the crisp, cooler nights of autumn.

Also consider the natural light and how it will move across the space. Do you want to start your days with breakfast outside in the sunshine? Then make sure the eastern sky is as visible as possible so you can enjoy the sunrise and early morning warmth in your outdoor sitting room.

Make it a feast for all the senses

When planning a garden, it can be tempting to focus only on how it will look without paying much attention to the other senses. However, it’s important not to do this with your outside sitting room. This is your own personal Eden, which means it needs to be a feast for all your senses, not just your eyes.

Think about creating a glorious scent palate. Highly scented roses sit well with plants such as Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla,’ which has a strong vanilla scent. Also consider tubs of highly aromatic herbs such as rosemary, lemon balm or mint, which have stunning flowers in summertime as well as being fantastic for bees and other pollinators.

Finally, be sure to make comfort a priority at every stage. Never buy furniture without first testing it out yourself to make sure it feels as you want it to. Are you looking to lounge, or to sit? Are you going to eat meals with friends in this space, or is it just for you? These thoughts can shape the style of furniture you choose, and the addition of pillows, throws and rugs will make the space look extra welcoming.