Preparing for moving day

There are a number of costs associated with moving house, but a reputable, professional removal company can be a worthwhile expense, as carrying heavy furniture yourself can be dangerous, exhausting and may lead to your possessions being damaged.

With a professional moving company, your belongings will be well looked after and insured against any damage during transit. It is preferable to use a removal company tried, tested and recommended by a friend. You should also look for a remover accredited by the British Association of Removers.

Throw away, recycle or donate anything to charity shops that you do not want. Each bag of clothes and box of books you take with you will add extra time and expense to the move, so it is a good idea to take this opportunity to have a clear out.

As the moving date gets closer, begin to pack up your belongings. Do not overload boxes with lots of heavy books, and make sure that you use good quality tape and plenty of padding to protect breakables. Label each box carefully with its contents, the room in the new home it is intended to be opened in, and whether it contains fragile items.

When dismantling furniture, carefully bag up any screws and fittings and label them accurately. These should be packed into a box labelled ‘essentials’, which should contain all the things you are likely to need immediately after your arrival.

Your ‘essentials’ box should include bed linen, towels, toiletries and any medicines required on your first night in your new home – as well as your mobile phone charger, a small tool kit and other useful items.

In advance of the move you should start to think about planning your meals so you use up the food in your freezer. In the week before the move, plan your meals carefully so both your fridge and freezer are as empty as possible when the time comes.

Preparing a handover note will make it easier for the new homeowner to settle into your old home and by including your new address and phone number, they will know where to forward on any post that is meant for you.

Contact all the relevant service providers you use and alert them to the change of address. This will include utility providers, your bank, and any magazine, newspaper or catalogue subscriptions. You should also transfer your TV licence to your new address, and put a stop to any milk or food you have regularly delivered. You may decide to set up a postal redirect with Royal Mail so your mail is diverted for a period of time. There is a charge for this service.