5 things to do on moving day

Moving expert Claire Hose from MoveMinder has this advice for people with a big move coming up.

Plan ahead – As soon as you know you are going to move make lists, lists and more lists of who needs to be notified, what needs to be done, when and by whom. Creating a floor plan for the new property and deciding what will go where before you move will save plenty of time on the day. If you have large pieces of furniture measure them to make sure they fit through the door/window at the new place.

Packing – most removal companies offer a packing service which will save you a lot of time and hassle. If you choose to do it yourself allow plenty of time. Pack items that you don’t use very often first such as out of season clothes, books, DVDs and the best china.

Removals – Hiring a van and shifting the whole load yourself might seem like a cheaper option but it doesn’t always work out that way and is a lot more work for you, not to mention more stressful. Get at least three different quotes from removal companies – go with the one you feel most comfortable with. Removal companies will get booked up well in advance, especially on the last Friday of the month, so confirm your booking as soon as you know your moving date. Always read the small print and don’t forget insurance!

Declutter – Moving house is the perfect time to get rid of unwanted or unused items and local charity shops can put your pre-loved items to good use.

Address changes – Notifying everyone you need to can be a tedious task so take it a bit at a time. The essential ones are your employer, banks, utilities (gas, electric, water, phone, broadband) and council tax. You can change a lot of addresses online at websites like www.iammoving.com but be aware that some companies need up to 30 days notice. If you don’t manage to get the non essential address changes all done in time fill in a mail redirection form at the post office www.royalmail.com