Moving house can be extremely stressful. From the moment you make that decision to move until moving day itself there are so many things to do and decisions to make that being organised and getting good advice is essential.

So here are a few ideas designed to help you-

• Once you decide to move if you have a property to sell then get a reputable estate agent with good local knowledge to value your property. Kings Group
• Obtain advice as soon as possible from your financial advisor about mortgage products that are available – yes even before you find your chosen property. Kings Mortgages
• Instruct your solicitor so that he/she can start work on your case. We would recommend that the following conveyancing experts will provide you with a competitive quote and first class service. My Home Move
• Now for the fun part- find your new home!
• Once you have found your chosen property, agreed the price and sold your home there will be a period of rest – still stressful but with not a lot of visible activity. Worry not it is all happening in the background. But then with one month to go –

One month before moving

• Ring a few removal firms for quotes. Check them carefully to see what is included in the total cost. Some firms prefer to do their own packing and the terms and conditions concerning insurance cover can vary greatly.
• Start planning your packing, collect cardboard boxes, newspapers and heavy duty bin liners, ready for the move.
• Start clearing out the shed, garage, cellar, loft etc.
  
• Notify the gas, electricity and water companies of the proposed date of your move and ask for the meters to be read.
  
• Contact the telephone company to close or transfer your telephone account on the proposed completion date.
  
• Arrange for your post to be re-directed to your new home.
  
• Obtain written confirmation that the gas, electricity, water and telephone will be available and running at your new home when you move in.

One week before moving

• Organise the last of the packing and labelling you have to do yourself.
  
• Check with your removal firm to confirm the date and time of the move.
  
• Send your change of address cards.
  
• If you have any young children or pets, ask a friend or family member to look after them during removal day.
  
• Pay any outstanding milk and paper bills and cancel the accounts.
  
• Check any arrangements for gas, electricity or water being left on or off.
  
• Make a colour-coded diagram of the new house, showing where the furniture is to go. Colour code on the boxes and furniture.
  
• Find the manuals and check instructions for moving washing machines and other domestic equipment.
  
• Make up an emergency tool kit for jobs in the new house, items such as a screwdriver, pliers, knife, nails, hammer, hooks, fuses, light bulbs and torch.
  
• Only shop for essential food items. Plan your meals to use up existing food stocks, especially from your freezer.

One day before moving

• Empty, defrost and dry out your fridge/freezer. Pack any perishables in a cool bag.
  
• If you are moving your freezer with its contents, switch it to maximum.
  
• Make up a survival kit to take with you. This should contain meals and drinks for the day, a kettle, mugs, milk, tea, coffee, biscuits, spoons, towels, soap, cleaning cloth, dustpan and brush, torch, toilet paper, scissors, candles, matches and tin-opener.
  
• Pack any overnight bags, if required.
  
• Put some cash, your credit cards and cheque book in a safe but convenient place.

Moving day

• Show the removers around the house, including the garage and shed. Explain the labelling system and give them a diagram of your new property.
  
• Once the van has been loaded, walk round the house with the foreman and ensure that nothing has been left behind.
  
• Check that the foreman has the directions to your new house and agree an approximate arrival time.
  
• Check that the services are on/off, as agreed.
  
• Close all doors and windows.
  
• Collect all the keys and leave them with the agreed person, eg. estate agent.
  
• Once everything has been unloaded and unpacked in your new home, check that everything has arrived safely.
  After moving in, you should consider changing the external door locks to improve the security of your new home.