Moving house is known to be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life, but, the most rewarding.

To reduce the stress of moving, here are a few helpful tips to help your move run smoothly.

Decided To Move?

Moving home consists of packing and transporting, from one location to another, different objects accumulated over the years, all in a variety of shapes, sizes and values.

Once you have decided to sell your house, it is time for a clear out!

While you are searching for your new home, it is a great opportunity to start sorting your belongings into temporary storage in either the shed, garage or loft, items to donate to charity and items to sell online or at a car boot sale.

By doing this, you will clear the clutter in your house and make it look less cluttered and more appealing to prospective buyers.

Our silica gel sachets can be dropped into your cardboard boxes to prevent moisture damage.

6-10 Weeks Before Move Date

Clear The Clutter

As most of your clutter will now be reduced, it is now time to sort out the areas that can be termed as a 'dumping ground' - the garage, shed and loft!

Start with one place at a time. Again, it is advisable to distinguish between what you want to keep, sell, donate and throw away.

This will then reduce the number of boxes you will require to transport to your new home.

A great way to get started is to buy a home moving kit. Each kit contains all you need to start packing including a selection of boxes in a variety of sizes, tape, bubble wrap and wrapping paper. You can also purchase additional boxes and archive boxes for your paperwork and files.

Make sure you label the boxes with a marker pen, coloured tape or labels to distinguish what the box contains.

Check Out Your New Area

Research into your new area to find out about your local shops, libraries, doctors and dental surgeries etc.

Help your children to settle into their new home and neighbourhood by taking them on a tour of their new school and meet their new classmates, show them the local parks and play areas etc.

Also, talk to your new neighbours to find out about the local facilities such as swimming pools and cinemas and ask them about clubs that your children can join. Your local community centre will also have more information about clubs for your children.

Start Gathering Quotes From Removal Companies

Ask your friends and family for recommendations of removal companies that have successfully completed house moves for them.

Remember to tell the removal company exactly how many rooms you have in your house and if you have any unusually large or awkwardly shaped pieces of furniture.

If possible, ask the removal company to visit you at home so they get a better understanding of what exactly needs to be moved.

If you are moving from a flat, remember to tell the movers what floor you are on, if there is a lift or stairs and if there are any parking restrictions outside the building.

5-3 Weeks Before Move Date

Redirect Your Mail

Complete and return a postal redirection form from Royal Mail to ensure your mail is re-directed to your new home. You can pick up a form at your local post office or download one from www.royalmail.com.

Tell Organisations That You Are Moving

Notify the relevant companies. These should include; - Telephone company - TV License - DVLA for your driving license and log book (V5) - Insurance companies - School / College / University - Banks, credit cards, loans, finance etc. - Council Tax

Continue Packing

You should be well away with your packing by now, so start packing the items you infrequently use or non-essential items such as pictures books, CDs and DVDs.

Make sure you clearly label your boxes with details of their room in the new house so removers know what room to put the boxes in on the day of your move. It is also advisable that a list of box contents is noted.

This could be done with a marker pen, coloured tape, labels or a plain 'documents enclosed' wallet to insert a paper list with details of the content.

Keep an inventory of all the items of furniture and boxes to be moved.

If you are running out of packing materials, don't panic! You still have time to stock up on extra boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper and tape.

Now is also a good time to order furniture protection such as sofa covers, mattress protectors and furniture blankets to prevent damage and dirt.

If you buy before 3pm, we will deliver on the next business day (subject to stock availability).

Make Arrangements And Return Things

Book time off work for your move and to minimise upset or danger, make arrangements for someone to look after your children and pets on the removal day.

Return borrowed items such as DVDs and videos, library books, neighbours' gardening tools and homewares etc.

Keys And Manuals

Sort out all the keys for your house including those for windows, the garage, the garden shed and any spare sets you have given to family, friends and neighbours. It is a good idea to label each key for the new owners.

Also sort out any manuals you have for appliances you are leaving behind and for integral items such as the boiler or alarm system. Put these in a folder for the new owners.

2 Weeks Before Move Date

Confirm, Cancel and Clean

Confirm your moving date and time with the removals company and all the items that will need to be moved.

Cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers, grocery deliveries, and services such as your gardener, cleaner, window cleaner, etc.

Launder clothes and linen and pack away as much as possible. A great way to move clothes is by using wardrobe boxes. These boxes have a handy hanging rail so you don’t need to remove your clothes from their hangers. Also get cardboard suitcases, great for managing the contents of drawers. Both are simple and time saving!

Start to clean your house in preparation for the move beginning with the least-used rooms.

1 Week Before Move Date

Start preparing for the big move.

Pack an overnight bag for everyone in the house with essential items so you will not need to hunt through boxes to find what you need on your first night.

Ensure you have packed all cleaning materials, toiletries, toilet roll, bedding etc for the first night in your new home and make sure these are moved together so you have easy access to them.

Put any valuable items such as jewellery, cash, passports etc into their own box to be moved with you in your car.

A Day or Two Before Move Date

Last minute checks and tasks

Check out some local takeaways near to your new home as you won’t feel like cooking after a busy day moving.

Ensure everything, except for essential items, has been packed and labelled and run through the inventory to ensure nothing has been forgotten.

Defrost your fridge and freezer, ensuring they are completely dry and the doors remain open to prevent mildew.

Prepare your washing machine for moving and disconnect the power and water.

Get together some snacks, drinks, a tool kit and first aid kit.

The Big Day

Hang on in there! It's nearly over!

On the morning of your move, have a final clean of your house and ensure all windows, garages and sheds are locked. Phone the utility companies with a note of your final meter readings.

You must be present at the time the move takes place. Take the removals team around the house and into each room, confirming what needs to be moved and any specific instructions.

After everything has been loaded onto the van, have a final check around including all cupboards, to ensure nothing has been missed. Ensure the removal team knows where they are going, and tell them of any access or parking problems.

Turn off the electricity and water supplies. Lock all the windows and doors. Leave all keys and documentation relating to the house in the agreed place with a note for the new owners explaining what you have done. It might be nice to leave a gift for the new residents like some flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine.

Make sure you are at the other end when the removal team arrives so you can direct them to where items should be placed and tick off against the inventory.

As soon as possible after the move, check the conditions of your belongings: any claims for damage or breakages must be made as soon as possible.

Order takeaway food and open the champagne!

Congratulate yourself on a successful house move and vow never to move again (until you see the next house of your dreams!)