Everybody knows that moving home is no walk in the park. There’s no sugar-coating the fact that property sales are complex, and can be an incredibly demanding, time-consuming and emotional time.
The good news is that it doesn’t need to be. Our top tips will help ensure your move runs like clockwork and is as stress-free as possible.
Let’s get started…
Planning ahead
Most home movers don’t consider packing until they have an offer on the table and the sale process is well under way. However, as time ticks by the list of tasks on the to-do list can easily become overwhelming and stress levels can start to creep up. We recommend that you think about preparing for moving home before you sell.
As you begin to declutter your home to present it to market, why not start packing a few bits and pieces along the way and think about purging any items that have been lurking in your home for years and are no longer needed. Not only will this help to present your home in tip top shape for viewings and make it feel more spacious to buyers, but it will give you a head start when it comes to packing.
You can read our top tips for getting your home viewing ready here.
Before you exchange
So, you’ve accepted an offer and have found your ideal new home. However, it’s not time to pop the bubbly just yet. Unfortunately, nothing is set in stone when moving home until contracts have been exchanged.
It can be tempting to get as much ticked off your moving house checklist as possible but at this stage your moving date is subject to change, and there’s still a chance the sale or purchase could fall through, potentially leaving you out of pocket.
However, having an action plan from the start will stand you in good stead, and this is what we recommend you tackle at this stage of the process:
Packing. Even if you start off small, packing things regularly will help you in the long run. Obviously, start with non-essentials and store them somewhere out of the way. Remember moving home is the perfect time for a fresh start so be honest with yourselves about what you no longer need.
Check your annual leave. As your sale progresses, you’ll start considering potential moving dates. It’s a good idea to save some leave and check your work schedule so that when the time comes to set a date, you’ll know what works for you.
Reach out to local removal firms. Now is a good time to shop around for quotes from your local removal firms. Hold off booking for now however as dates are subject to change.
Shop around for utility providers. Now is the perfect opportunity to get a better deal on your utility bills. Browse comparison sites and shop around for quotes before moving into your new home. Remember, this isn’t just gas, water and electric but other services such as your landline and broadband provider.
Contact local schools. If you have children and are moving area, now is a good time to contact schools and get their records transferred.
Notify your landlord. If you are currently renting, now is the right time to check your tenancy agreement as you will be liable for rent payments for the extent of your notice period. Notify your landlord of your moving date once this has been set.
Look into storage. If you need to put any of your belongings into storage, now is the time to look into options for storage facilities and to request some quotes.
Exchange and completion
Once you have exchanged and a moving day has been set, things are really beginning to take shape. Here’s what we recommend ticking off the checklist now:
More packing! Sticking to the little and often packing ethos will eliminate a last-minute panic about getting finished in time.
Label, label, label. One major stress when moving home is not being able to find something you need when unpacking. Make sure all boxes are clearly labelled with contents, flagging any fragile items and what room they need to go in.
Measure your furniture. Imagine arriving at your brand-new home only to find that the sofa won’t fit through the front door? Measure any large pieces of furniture that you plan to take with you to ensure they’ll fit exactly where you want them. Now is also a good time to order any new furniture / carpets that you require delivered as soon as possible after moving in.
Cancel utilities. Get in touch with your current utility companies and let them know what day you will be moving out.
Register for council tax. There’s no time like the present to get this one ticked off the to-do list.
Arrange your removal options. Whether you are using professionals or enlisting family and friends for the task, it’s time to get those arrangements locked in.
Get insured. Once you have a confirmed move date you can arrange insurance for your new home ahead of time and request this starts from the day you move in. Another job done!
Consider cleaners. For some, the thought of deep cleaning your entire home for its pending new occupants can be a little overwhelming. If that’s the case, why not get a professional company to handle the job, especially if you’re currently renting and looking to get your full deposit returned.
Notify companies of your change of address. No one likes coming home to a pile of envelopes sent to the wrong address. Banks, insurance companies, TV licencing, the DVLA, the post office, your employer(s), doctors and dentists are just a few of the companies you should notify of your new address.
Subscription deliveries. Don’t forget to cancel or change your address with any subscription deliveries you are signed up for, such as milk and newspaper deliveries.
Child and pet care. Why not make your life a whole lot easier and consider asking someone to watch the children and/or pets on moving day?
Book storage. It’s time to book storage space for any items that won’t be immediately joining you at your new home. If you’ve been organised, you should have some quotes ready to go.
The day before the move…
No doubt your mind will be abuzz with all the things left to do but you’re on the home straight now and in just one day you’ll be in your new home! Now is the time to:
Finalise your move plans. Get in touch with your removal company to confirm timing and plans for tomorrow.
Speak to your estate agent. Make sure that you either already have your keys to the new property or that you have arranged to pick them up and ask any last-minute questions you may have about moving day to put your mind at ease.
Personal essentials to pack. Chargers for those all-important electronics, medication, daily toiletries, and clean changes of clothes are all handy items to have readily available in an overnight bag.
House Essentials. Put together a bag of essentials to ensure your first day in your new home is as stress-free as possible. Toilet rolls, tea, coffee, milk, snacks and a few plates and items of cutlery are a good place to start.
The paperwork. If you haven’t already, make sure you have all your important, personal documents (home insurance policies, passports etc) together and somewhere safe to ensure these don’t get lost in transit.
A final house check. Do a final sweep of the house to ensure everything is in order and nothing has been left behind.
Try and get some sleep! You have a big day tomorrow so try and factor in some down time and an early night to ensure you’re fully charged for the day ahead.
It’s moving day!
Thanks to your forward-planning, you’ve calmly made it to the finish line and to the exciting part – the front door to your lovely new home!
In fact, all that remains to do is:
Take meter readings. Get all of the relevant readings from your meters (water, electric and gas) before you go.
Greet your moving party. Let the movers in and give any instructions you may have. If you’ve labelled clearly when packing, you would have made their job much easier and save yourself some time!
Leave a note. Personally, we think it’s always a nice idea to leave a short welcome note to the new occupants with some useful information about the house!
Lock up. Do a final sweep of your property to ensure all the doors and windows are shut and locked before closing the front door for the final time. For many this can be a very emotional day so make sure you have some issues to hand!
Take the pressure off. No one expects you to be unpacked and settled in in just one day. Give yourself some time to adjust to your new surroundings and to unpack at a pace that suits you and your family.
And breathe...
You did it! You’ve successfully negotiated your move and are now safely in your new home. It’s now time to crack open that champagne and order a takeaway. Congratulations!
If you’re considering moving home, contact our expert team today. We’re here to help.
