The home moving checklist

While moving home can be exciting, it's certainly not easy. But with a little planning, the process will go far more smoothly

14:35 10 March 2013

 

Spring is traditionally a time for new beginnings, but if you're soon heading off to pastures new you could be feeling a little stressed right now. 

 

While moving home can be exciting, it's certainly not easy. But with a little planning, the process will go far more smoothly. So here's our handy home moving checklist... 

Eight weeks to go... 

 

At this point, offers will have been accepted but nothing will have been signed yet, meaning there are no guarantees - however, it's still worth making a start on getting yourself sorted.

 

• It's important that you now have your mortgage agreed in principle for your new home and have a solicitor lined up to dot the i's and cross the t's. 

 

• Begin the painful process of decluttering your home by going through each room and getting rid of anything you don't need or don't want to take with you. 

 

• Collect boxes, bags, newspapers, bubble wrap and any other packing materials you might need and start packing up the non-essentials as you declutter. 

 

• Get some quotes from removal firms and, if necessary, storage facilities. Check whether your items will be covered while 'in transit' under the terms of your home insurance policy. If they are not, ensure the removal firm you use has the necessary insurance in place should your items be lost or damaged during the move. It's particularly important to ensure you have adequate cover for valuable items such as jewellery or antiques. 

 

Six weeks to go... 

 

You will probably have an idea of when the moving date will be by now and it's at this point that the pace picks up. 

 

• If you're moving out of rented accommodation, give notice to your landlord. 

 

• Think about getting rid of any larger items you don't want - eBay, Freecycle and car boot sales are good options. 

 

• If you need new furniture for your new home, order the essentials, such as beds and couches, to be delivered to your new address as soon as possible after your arrival. 

 

• Arrange to take time off work, not only on the day of the move, but a couple of days either side to make sure you can sort everything out. Moving on a Friday will give you the weekend to settle in but it's also likely to be more expensive if you're using a removal company. 

 

• Now's also the time to start calling in a few favours and enlisting the help of friends to help you with the move or look after your kids and pets while you're shifting furniture.

 

Four weeks to go... 

 

The contracts will have been exchanged and the moving date will have been confirmed by now. 

 

• Start dismantling any furniture you won't need and pack away any non-essentials, such as ornaments, books, DVDs, etc. Don't forget about anything that's kept in the loft/garage/shed etc.

 

• Book a locksmith to change all the locks on your new place on the day you move in - you don't know who might still have a key!

 

You'll then need to notify a number of companies about your change of address, so here's our handy print off and cut out, check list...

 

Home insurance :

provider Arrange for contents insurance to cover your belongings from the day you move in. You'll become responsible for the bricks and mortar when you exchange, so you will need to have your buildings insurance in place from that day. 

 

Energy supplier :

Tell your energy provider about your imminent house move, but bear in mind you'll need to take final readings before you leave.

 

Water supplier :

Contact your water supplier and again, give a reading before you leave.

 

Council:

Let your local council authority know the dates you'll be leaving your old home and moving into your new one for council tax reasons. You should also take this opportunity to update your records for any social security benefits you receive.

 

Internet/Telephone/Television providers :

Inform your internet, television and telephone providers of your move and either transfer your service or shop around to find a better deal, keeping in mind that it may be worthwhile bundling all of the services together. Where telephones are concerned, remember to inform both your landline and mobile providers and don't forget to update the address on your TV licence - failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000!

 

Schools/employers :

Tell your employer's HR department of your change of address so they can inform the tax office. If you're self-employed, you'll need to tell the tax office yourself. And don't forget to let your kids' schools know of any changes.

 

Two weeks to go... 

 

If you think the last six weeks have flown by, you'd better buckle yourself in for the next two.

 

• Contact your estate agent to arrange a time to collect the keys to your new place and call your removal firm to confirm the details of your move. 

 

• Keep packing - more and more items will become 'non-essential' the closer you get to leaving your home so keep boxing up those items (keeping a note of what is in each box).

 

Once again, you'll need to inform certain companies about your move, here's another print off and cut out, check list...

 

Financial companies :

Tell your bank/credit card provider/loan company of your change of address.

 

Life/car insurance :

providers Inform both your life insurer and your car insurance provider of your new address, but make sure your car insurance details aren't scheduled to change until the day you move in.

Post officeRedirecting your post can take up to five working days so get it done now to avoid missing any post at your new place. You can set up a redirect, here.

 

Newsagent/milkman :

Let your newsagent and milkman know you're moving - the new occupants may not share your taste in either magazines or milk.

 

Electoral Commission :

Update your details on the electoral register.

 

Doctor/dentist :

Notify both your doctor and your dentist of your move and de-register if you're moving into a different catchment area. If this is the case, make sure you register with your new practice.

 

One day to go... 

 

It's time to make sure that you've packed everything up and nothing is left lying about. Also make sure everyone has everything they need for the move.

 

• Pack a bag of essentials for each family member, containing toiletries, a change of clothes, sleepwear and bed linen. 

 

• Pack a box of essential items for the kitchen, including a kettle, cutlery, tea, coffee, cereal, biscuits, mugs and bowls, and then defrost the fridge/freezer. 

 

• Pack a kit containing screwdrivers, allen keys, scissors, candles and a torch. You may also want to keep cleaning products to hand. 

 

• Pack up any valuables and documents and keep them in a safe place until everything has been moved. 

 

• Charge up your mobiles and keep a list of important numbers to hand, such as your estate agent and solicitor, along with a pen and paper.

 

Once you've done all that, you should be set for a smooth move! One final thought is to get a few takeaway menus together as there's an unwritten rule that the first night in a new house must be spent eating takeaway food while sat on boxes. A bottle of bubbly probably won't go amiss either.

 

Have you got any house moving tips to make the process a little less painful? Let us know via our forum or on Twitter and you can follow Les on Twitter @LesRobertsMSM