HOUSE MOVING GUIDE - 4 Weeks Before Moving

• Complete a home inventory
• Contact the electric, gas, water, and telephone and arrange for the supplies to be turned off/on and for meter readings to be taken at both properties on the day of your move, with appropriate arrangements being made for disconnection /reconnection of cookers, washers etc.
• Inform family and friends, bank, children's schools, employer, doctor, dentist, library, income bonds, football pools company etc. that you are moving and provide your new address (click here to see our checklist of individuals and organisations to notify of your move)
• Ask your doctor/dentist for colleague recommendations if you need to arrange new services.
• Get copies of any repeat prescriptions.
• Consider the options for power supplies to your new home
• Contact your local rates authority and notify them of the change. Find out which day is refuse collection day at your new home (after unpacking you will have a lot of rubbish to be removed).
• For a small charge the post office can arrange to have your mail redirected to your new address.
• Decide which items should be disposed of or donated to charity.
• Decide which items you will be packing personally and ask the removal firm to deliver empty packing cases or boxes for you to use. The estimator from the removal firm will be able to suggest the number required.
• Consider which (if any) large items will need to be dismantled in order that they can be moved.
• If you are handling all the removal process yourself then hire or collect packing cases, boxes, newspaper etc.
• Begin packing items that will not be needed until after the move. Ensure that everything is packed securely in boxes with the name of the room that you want the box to be moved to clearly marked on the top and side of the box.
• Don't overload boxes as they will be difficult to load and awkward to stack. Boxes full of books can be particularly heavy.
• Boxes containing fragile items should be clearly marked accordingly.
• Removal agents will have their own insurance for your belongings in transit, but liability is limited. If you have valuable items such as antiques, paintings and fine wine insure them separately.
• If you are moving yourself arrange insurance cover for your belongings in transit (check home owners insurance policies to see if moving is covered)
• Do not forget to confirm with the removal firm your moving date when your solicitor informs you of the completion date for the purchase of the property.
• Check that your new home will be emptied well before you expect to arrive with your possessions.
• Confirm all dates and agreements in writing, if the moving date is changed contact everyone by phone and confirm in writing. This will avoid services being cut off early or connected late.
• Sketch out the floor plan of your new home to determine placement of furnishings.
• Make arrangements for children and/or pets to be looked after during the move.
• Consider whether any internal/external plants need a specialist to deal with their move.

Proceed now to the next schedule guide, 2 Weeks Before Moving