Moving your summerhouse can seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and support, it’s entirely possible to relocate it safely and efficiently. Whether you’re moving to a new home or simply rearranging your garden, moving such a large structure requires careful planning. This guide will walk you through the process, offering insights from an experienced Redditch removals company to ensure your summerhouse relocation goes smoothly.
Why Moving Your Summerhouse is Challenging
Summerhouses are a fantastic addition to any garden, offering both functional space and aesthetic appeal. However, their size, weight, and sometimes their connection to utilities, like electricity, make them a unique challenge to move. Key considerations include:
- Size and Weight: Summerhouses are typically large and require special care and equipment for safe disassembly and transport.
- Fragility: Many summerhouses are constructed from timber or similar materials, which can be vulnerable to damage during the move.
- Reassembly: After moving, the summerhouse must be reassembled properly on a solid foundation to ensure its stability and safety.
With these challenges in mind, let’s look at how you can move your summerhouse with the help of a professional Redditch removals company.
Step 1: Determine if Moving Your Summerhouse is Feasible
Before diving into the logistics, evaluate whether moving your summerhouse is a practical option. Consider these key points:
- Condition: Is the summerhouse in good enough shape to withstand the move? Any existing damage, like wood rot, could cause problems during disassembly or reassembly.
- Size and Equipment Needs: Depending on the size of the summerhouse, you may need cranes or specialised equipment for the move.
- Space at the New Location: Ensure there’s ample space for the summerhouse at its new site, and that the area is accessible for transport and reassembly.
- Planning Permissions: You may need to check with your local council to ensure planning permission is not required to reassemble the summerhouse in its new location.
Step 2: Plan the Move
If you’ve decided to proceed, detailed planning is essential for a successful move. Here’s how to organise your summerhouse relocation:
1. Hire a Professional Redditch Removals Company
Working with an experienced Redditch removals company will save you time and stress. Their expertise in moving large structures, such as summerhouses, ensures the process is handled smoothly, from disassembly to reassembly. They’ll also be able to provide tailored advice depending on the type and size of your summerhouse.
2. Inspect the Summerhouse
Before starting the move, inspect the entire structure for any damage. Identify any areas of rot, loose panels, or broken windows that might require repairs before the move. You’ll also need to disconnect any utilities, such as electricity, using a qualified electrician.
3. Plan the Transport Route
If you’re moving the summerhouse to a new property, plan the transport route carefully. Your removals company can assist with this, ensuring that there are no obstacles, such as narrow roads or low-hanging branches, which could complicate the journey. In some cases, permits may be required for oversized loads.
Step 3: Disassemble the Summerhouse
Disassembling your summerhouse is one of the most crucial steps, requiring precision and care to prevent damage to the structure.
1. Label and Document Each Component
During disassembly, carefully label every part to ensure an easier reassembly later on. Taking photographs before and during the disassembly can help you remember how the summerhouse fits together. For large structures, this organisation will be crucial.
2. Handle Fragile Parts with Care
Components such as windows, doors, and roofing materials are often the most delicate parts of a summerhouse. Remove these items carefully, and use protective padding to prevent damage during transit. Proper tools should be used to dismantle the structure to avoid cracking or splintering the wood.
Step 4: Transport the Summerhouse
Transporting your summerhouse is where professional expertise really comes into play. The size and weight of the structure will determine how it’s transported.
1. Secure the Load
The removals company will ensure all parts of the summerhouse are securely fastened for transport, using appropriate padding to protect fragile elements. This step is critical to prevent shifting or damage during the journey.
2. Use Specialised Equipment if Needed
For particularly large or heavy summerhouses, cranes or forklifts may be required to load the structure onto the transport vehicle. Your Redditch removals company will have access to the necessary equipment to move your summerhouse safely.
Step 5: Prepare the New Location
Before reassembling your summerhouse at the new location, the site must be properly prepared. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Lay a Solid Foundation
A stable foundation is essential for the safety and longevity of your summerhouse. The foundation must be level and capable of supporting the structure’s weight. Common foundation types include concrete slabs, timber frames, or plastic grids. Consulting with your removals company can help you decide on the best foundation for your summerhouse.
2. Ensure Easy Access
Ensure that the site is accessible and free of obstacles. You may need to clear pathways or adjust landscaping features to provide the necessary space for the removals team to bring in and reassemble the summerhouse.
Step 6: Reassemble the Summerhouse
Reassembling your summerhouse is the final step, and it requires just as much care as disassembly to ensure the structure is secure and stable.
1. Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Rebuilding your summerhouse should follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions closely to ensure the structure is correctly reassembled. If your summerhouse was custom-built, your removals company can work with you to ensure it’s reassembled to its original specifications.
2. Reconnect Utilities
If your summerhouse was previously connected to utilities, such as electricity, you’ll need a qualified electrician to reconnect these safely in the new location. This will ensure that everything complies with current safety regulations.
Conclusion
Moving your summerhouse is a complex process, but with careful planning and the right professional help from a Redditch removals company, you can make the move successfully. By following the steps outlined above – from disassembly to transport and reassembly – you’ll ensure your summerhouse arrives at its new location safely and is ready to use again in no time.
For more information, visit Midlands Sheds and Summerhouses’ Ultimate Guide and let us help you every step of the way!
Choosing a professional removals company in Redditch, like Middleton Moving, ensures that every aspect of your summerhouse relocation is handled with expertise and precision. Whether you’re moving across town or to a completely new area, Middleton Moving can provide the support and guidance you need to move your summerhouse without stress.
