Hopefully you have plenty of time and are great at making lists; but if not, here’s a free Moving Checklist to ensure you don’t forget a thing.
Which to some can often prove the first big hurdle, but you can make light work of this by first ensuring two things:
- They are a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR)
- They can supply references and have insurance (always read the fine print of any Terms and Conditions!)
Discuss whether you want them to pack everything or whether you will be doing the packing yourself: see our comprehensive free Packing Guide for help on this. Also ensure they can take care of any storage requirements you might have.
If you have any highly valuable belongings, take them to an expert to assess the exact figure to be sure you have adequate insurance. Notify your contents insurer and arrange to move the cover to the new address from the day you move in.
Buildings insurance needs to start on your new home from the day you exchange contracts. Also remember other insurance policies: life, car, medical and pets.
If you are in rented accommodation, now is a good time to give notice to your landlord.
As you’re packing – and hopefully throwing things out you’ll never need! – you might also start a checklist of new things like beds or wardrobes to replace them with. Order them now and they can be delivered to your new address as soon as you move in.
Most people move on a Friday, so make sure you book that day off and let colleagues know that weekend will be taken up with the big move. If they can give you a few extra days, take them. But if you can’t take time off, ask your removal company if they can help. Some, like us, offer an insanely popular Sunday Removals service.
Ask friends and family to help with packing or see if they can babysit children and pets on moving day. Of course, we can do all the packing for you if you’d like (just not the babysitting bit).
Let friends and family know when you’re moving and what your new address will be.
With all of your utilities – gas, electric, water – make sure:
- They know when you’re moving
- You have taken any final readings just before you move
Inform both landline and mobile services of the date of the move and your new address.
Most councils have websites, so visit yours to submit details of when you leave your old house and move into your new. Also inform the tax office if you are self-employed.
These include your bank, credit card, investments, savings accounts, loans, life assurances, pensions, and shares.
Most of us shop online these days and it is easy to forget how many companies you use. From now on, every time you use one, update your delivery address.
Let your HR department or boss know your new details.
Don’t forget to update your kid’s school of your new contact details. Your doctor, dentist, optician and vet need to know too. This is especially important if you are moving out of the area (or abroad) and need to deregister.
Book a slot to change the locks in your new home as soon as you arrive.
Arrange for all broadband or satellite TV services to be transferred: now might also be a good time to shop around for a better deal or make a fresh start with something new.
Update your records for any social security payments you may receive.
Arrange a time to collect the keys from the estate agent.
It takes five days to set up the instruction to redirect your post, so to be on the safe side visit the post office or complete the online form.
Notify deliveries such as milk, newspapers and magazines that you are moving and the date on which you’d like the service to stop. Again, do this as you go.
Don’t lose your right to vote – go online to update your details.
If you don’t notify TV Licensing of your new address, you could end up being unlicensed in your new home, risking prosecution and a fine, so go online and ensure your details are up to date or call 0300 790 6131.
Don’t overlook any connections you may have to local charities, loyalty cards, subscriptions, gym membership, and mail order and internet companies. They all have your old address on them until you say differently.
- As you will probably arrive before the van, keep cleaning materials and the vacuum cleaner handy as you may have the chance to give the new house a quick once over before every room is cluttered with boxes
- Keep important numbers close by such as the solicitor and estate agent
- Charge mobile phones
- Defrost the freezer