Ready, steady, move!

Feb 22 2006

By Narin Bahar

The temptation is to throw everything you own randomly into boxes, but a bit of thought and some planning can pay dividends when it's actually time to move into your new home. * Use moving house as an opportunity to sort out your possessions. Throw away your rubbish and separate items that can be given to friends or charity shops, or - if you're technically minded - sold on Ebay to make extra cash. Pick up boxes from local shops and save newspapers for wrapping breakables. * If you're moving your belongings yourself, start by hiring the right van - too small and you may need to make a few journeys, too big and you may have problems parking. Bear in mind too that it's often cheaper to book vans on weekdays, although if you move at the weekends you may be able to make the most of special two-day hire rates. * Unless you have very few possessions, call in the professionals to help you move house. It will relieve some of the stress of the big move. You can arrange for it all to be done for you, and pay for the privilege, or you can do the packing yourself but leave the heavy stuff to the experts. Hire a removal company at least two weeks before you move, make sure they're a member of the British Association of Removers, and don't forget to ask if they offer a discount on a weekday. When dealing with professional movers it will help if you can tell them: * The amount of furniture you're moving, so it can choose an adequately sized truck and plan the number of journeys needed between your old and new home * A rough guess of how many boxes the company needs to pack, so it can estimate how long it will take * The exact time you want the team to arrive * Clear instructions and directions to your new property and parking provision * Make sure to mention pieces of furniture which won't go through the door, and make a plan of where the furniture needs to go in your new home. The big move checklist: Six weeks before... * Confirm the date of your move  * If you're renting, notify your landlord of your moving date  * Check your home insurance - make sure you have cover from the day you move in.  * Obtain written quotes from several removal firms. Get references and check the limits of their insurance.   * If you're not using professional removers, ask friends to help.  * Book extra storage space if required.  * Notify the relevant utility companies of your departure.  * Start getting rid of possessions you no longer need. * If you need new furniture or carpets - order them now and arrange delivery for when you move in.        Two weeks before... * Start packing non-essential items such as books and non-seasonal clothes into boxes.   * De-register from your doctor, dentist and optician if you're moving out of the area.  * Visit the post office and arrange for your post to be forwarded (you will be charged a fee for this service).  * Notify your milkman and newspaper shop that you'll be moving and give them a date you want the service to stop.  * If you have children or pets, arrange for someone to look after them during the move.  * Make a list of everyone who should know about the move. Send out change of address ecards.  * Finalise arrangements with your removal company. Confirm arrival times and make sure your removers have directions to your new address.   * Arrange a time to collect the keys for your new home from the estate agent.  * Notify then bank of any changes to direct debits and standing orders.