So you are moving now, great.
Moving can be very stressful, but careful planning and preparation can make sure everything goes smoothly, and
save you money. This checklist will help get you organised.
Lets see what we can do to help make it easier, With the checklist below this has been compiled by speaking to
different people when they have been moving, (should you have any moving tips which have worked for you then
please email us and we will gladly let other people know).
Six weeks before you move
Have a look around your home and decide what you are going to take and what can be left or even sold. If you
have items you do not want then is there a monetary value to them, if there is then try selling them on www.ebay.co.uk or contact a local house clearance company.
Have a look in your garage, loft, basement this tends to be where items are stored which are rarely if ever used.
Bear one thing inmind when moving - extra weight costs money. A 3 bed house with a cluttered loft and garage may
cost as much as moving a 4/5 bed house. The less you take the cheaper it will be.
· Contact moving companies for estimates. Find out what extra services the more expensive quotes allow for. More importantly contact us www.movingeverywhere.co.uk for a home
removal quote by clicking here, you need not go elsewhere. We will get you the best rate for your move and provide a great service.
· We can arrange for the removal firm to visit your property to get a better idea for your quote,
Note* please advise if you foresee any access issues at
the property you are moving to. It is your responsibility to advise us if there
may be any issues, if this is not done, then on the move day this could cause
unnecessary delays, which could incur additional costs. ·
Ask for quotes to include professional packing for your belongings. The time and effort you save may well be worth the cost. While the mover is liable for the breakage of items it packs, you are responsible for improperly packed items you have boxed yourself.
Note* Also be aware that some home insurance policies
will not cover your goods whilst in transit if you pack your own belongings.
Please check your individual home insurance policy, if you are not covered then
we can arrange cover you, with an associated FSA regulated insurance firm.
Start a file for all your moving details and keep all your moving-related expenses within some of the costs may be tax-deductable.
Five weeks before you arrive
Contact your selected removal company and confirm dates and costs. At this stage it is common practice for a holding deposit to be paid to reserve your move. With movingeverywhere.co.uk, the deposit is refundable in the event the move does not go ahead, please see terms for conditions.
If you have decided to pack yourself, start gathering boxes and special-purpose containers for items like lamps and paintings. If you are packing yourself and require boxes then please let us know and we can supply boxes for you, with next day delivery.
Four weeks before you move
Notify the post office, magazines, credit card companies and banks, friends and family of your change of address and set up a forwarding service if necessary.
· Contact utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone) companies to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move.
· Call the utilities in your new city to arrange for service to start the day before you move so that you have service when you arrive at your new home.
· If you are planning to move major appliances, schedule disconnection and servicing with your mover to happen a few days before you leave. Arrange the connection and installation of appliances in your new home. Complete any repair work on your new home.
Note* If you do not advise the removal company of any
items which require disconnection / un-plumbing and on the day of the move they
need to disconnect items, they may charge for the extra service. Please be advised
any gas fittings must be disconnected by a corgi registered installer
Three weeks before you move
Time to start clearing out what you do not want; and making a list of what you are keeping, and what you will be taking with you.
· If you are self-packing, start now, make sure you label each box, and if you have the time or inclination then compile an inventory and stick to the relevant box.
Note* Please remember each box needs to be lifted, if
it is too heavy then it will have to be re-packed.·
If possible, box essential items together, and label these boxes accordingly.
· Make sure you have your driver's license, car registration and insurance records.
· Contact your doctor and dentist for copies of your medical records.
· Plan your food purchases so as to waste as little as possible when you leave, and clearing up all frozen items.
· Contact your children's schools and arrange for records to be forwarded if necessary.
Two weeks before you move
Not long to go now, things are going to get busy from here on
· Check with your insurance company that coverage has been arranged for your new home, and enquire if your goods will be covered whilst in transit. If so, are there any removal company requirements. I.e., BAR Member.
· Moving day is not a day for pets; It can be very stressful for them, make arrangements for moving your pets and any house plants; leave them with a friend or neighbor,
Note* Pets cannot usually be taken in the movers' van.
Some removal firms will transport your pet if you do not have transportation
for them, please enquire if this applies to you.
· Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers.
· Make sure to empty any secret hiding places for valuables and spare house keys. If you have items of value, contact a safety deposit box company to look after your items until you have moved, many people will be in and out of your home during the next few weeks.
One week before you move
One week to go and it will be all over.
· Dispose of toxic and flammable items that can't be moved. Drain petrol and oil from tools such as lawn mowers; movers will not transport them when full.
· Pack any essential items that you will need while the moving van is in transit.
· Pay all outstanding bills.
· Contact the removal company to make arrangements to finalise your account. They will usually contact you for payment. It is usual practice now to pay for the move before the move day.
· Contact your estate agents and solicitors to confirm everything is set for completion on the allocated move day.
Note* If you are not completing on the allocated day then
contact the removal company immediately as most companies have cancellation fees
which start if the move is cancelled within 7 days.
One or two days before the move
Time to check everything is ready.
· Contact the removal firm and re-confirm the moving arrangements, get the time of arrival, find out how long it will take. What time will they finish loading and what time should they arrive at the new home.
· Contact the Estate agents to confirm approximately when to expect the keys.
Note* some removal firms may charge a waiting period
due to delays (usually over 2 hours) whilst the keys are being made available,
enquire if the moving company will apply these charges.
· Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer; clean both with a disinfectant and let them air out.
· Write directions to your new home for the van operator and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit.
Day of the move
This is the day you have been waiting for.
· Most importantly, make sure you are ready for the move.
Note* I would strongly recommend you pack a suitcase of
clothes and important items you may need over the next few days, i.e. Money,
wallet, valuables, laptops, computer storage drives, medication, toiletries,
tea & coffee, this is just as an emergency back-up in case of any serious delays,
any items you need for work.
Note* Please be aware it is not unusual for the removal
firm to get held up in traffic, if they are not there at the allotted time then
call the firm for an update, in some major cities traffic is a major concern,
and the removers could be sat in traffic for an hour or so before they reach
you.
· When they arrive, make them a drink, it starts the day off nicely, also if you are nice to the removers, sometimes they will help out that little bit more.
Note* If you are packing yourself, all items must be boxed
in suitable containers and ready to be moved, if on the day you are not ready
and the removers have to pack for you, they will charge. All items must be
removed from the loft, and the garage and garden ready.
· If you have paid for a packing service, usually the removal firm will turn up the day before the day you get the keys to your new property and partially pack, this will save time on the move day. This will only be done by arrangement.
· Please make sure the removers have the right address, its not unheard of that they have written it down wrong and off they go to the wrong address, they are only human after all.
At the new home, you just need to let them in and tell them which room each item is to be left in. A packing service does not include unpacking of individual items in your new home.
It is of great importance that if during the move, there are any issues; you contact the removal company or ourselves if we are arranging your move, so we can discuss and resolve the issue before the move is completed. To ensure that you are totally happy with the service provided.
The end of the move day
I would suggest have a nice relaxing soak or shower, and just take it easy, you will be aching for the next few days from all the lifting and carrying.
After you have moved in
There are so many things to remember when moving house; you need to notify the relevant authorities, and utility providers.
· Bank / Building Society
· Credit & Store Card companies
· TV Licence
· Cable / Satellite TV Provider
· Driving Licence
· Vehicle Insurance
· Mobile Phone Provider
· Council Tax
Note* When you notify your bank, mobile phone provider and credit / store cards they will automatically update the Credit Reference Agency on your behalf.
Note* When you notify your local council, they will update
the electoral role which in turn will assist with your credit rating, and also
allow you to vote.
You need to cancel existing delivery & Services
· Milk
· Window Cleaners
· Newspapers, or any other items regularly delivered to your old address
You will need to Cancel existing arrangements and arrange new services etc.
· Telephone / broadband / Internet / TV Cable & Satellite provider
· Home / Contents Insurance *this should be done before you move to ensure you are covered at your new home, some policies will cover your goods whilst in transit.
· Water Company
· Electricity Supplier
· Doctor
· Dentist
· Vet
Arrange with the post office to re-direct your mail, this takes approximately 10 working days to action, so we would suggest doing it a few weeks before you move in and provide your completion date as the re-direction date.
Take meter readings at both your old home and new home, notify the providers immediately, there is nothing worse than finding you have not finalised the bill and the people moved into your old home have not done so and you are paying for their utilities. Keep a copy of the readings until you get your closing / opening bills.
I hope I have covered everything of for you to help with your move; it can be a stressful time moving if you are not prepared,
some simple planning will take away a lot of stress, its important not to leave it until last minute.
On behalf of movingeverywhere.co.uk may we wish you many happy times in your new home.
