Q. I’m moving home for the first time in 25 years and am daunted by the idea of everything that I need to arrange to make it happen, have you any tips to ensure things run smoothly?
A. Moving home can be a real challenge to say the least. With so much to do and organise you can quickly become overwhelmed by the whole experience and I would urge those considering a property move to plan well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress on the day. Moving into a new home should be an exciting time, but far too many people leave preparation until the last minute, which often adds avoidable pressure and expense. Making a few simple checks and arrangements in advance should keep problems to a minimum. Once you have a definite move in date, it is worth beginning to research removal costs. Start by getting multiple quotes from removal companies. Hiring a removal firm can certainly ease the burden, but don’t settle for the first one you come across. Many offer different levels of service including simple transportation of items right through to packing them for you, so it is worth shopping around. If you are downsizing to a smaller property, look at storage space rental costs too. Be sure to use a removal firm that is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR), the trade association that maintains professional standards within the industry. Don’t rule out moving yourself, not all moves require the services of a removal company. Calculate the distance to your new property, and most importantly the size of vehicle you require to transport your possessions. If you are willing to put the work in yourself, it can save you some hard earned cash. Make sure you set up the utilities as soon as possible; otherwise you could find yourself moving into a property that has no gas or electricity connected. It is worth checking with the agent for the previous providers so you can call them to change the name on the contract or set up new accounts. Also, make sure that telephone and broadband services are enabled prior to moving in as these often take a number of weeks to become active. Dismantle heavy furniture first, it’s tempting to focus on packing the smaller items that can be easily put into boxes first but focusing on the larger furniture like cabinets and wardrobes should be your priority as this usually takes longer. Label your boxes – this will save an incredible amount of time when it comes to placing them in the right room at the other end. Check who holds the key to the property, this might sound obvious but it’s surprising just how many new homeowners forget to check whether their new keys will be released by their seller or their agent, and when? This would usually be handled by the agent following completion which generally takes place around 2pm.