Your checklist

Listed below are a number of points for you to consider on the day of your move if everything is to run smoothly. Most of this you may already be aware of, but please, indulge us, the more we both can do to avoid problems, the better.

Parking

If you have yellow lines or parking bays outside your property, parking may be a problem. Parking dispensation will be required. This unfortunately is something only you as a resident can arrange, but we can help by supplying you with all the necessary information and relevant telephone numbers for your local council.

Books and records

These are deceptively heavy, so please make use of the smaller boxes or, alternatively, half fill the larger cartons with lighter items on top and avoid putting too many items into a box. Clearly label all boxes with their contents and the room from which they came.
Chests of DrawersThese can be left filled with linen and clothes as long as they are not too heavy. Fragile or valuable items should be packed separately and drawers in divan beds should also be emptied.

Clothes

WardrobesBoxes can be provided on the day for the contents of your wardrobes, but please make sure that all hangers are packed the same way round as this makes re-hanging easier. All other small effects from wardrobes should be packed separately. Please ensure that items are clear of dirt or food residues as this promotes mould.

Lamp Shades

These should be packed separately into boxes.

Plants

Pack only 5 or 6 smaller plants into a box ensuring that some packing material is placed between the pots to prevent them from toppling over. Seal the box with the flaps up to give extra protection and to allow the plants to breath. You should advise us of any larger plants that require special treatment and leave their packing to us. It should be noted that, whilst we will take every care of your plants they are not covered by insurance.

Refrigerators and Freezers

These should be emptied and defrosted prior to removal.

Cookers

Gas and Electric cookers can be disconnected by the householder but, if in doubt, seek professional advice. Clean off all grease, particularly from the exterior of all appliances, as this can lead to a nasty accident. Remove any loose fittings from the cooker and pack separately. The glass base plate from your microwave oven should also be removed and packed separately.

Washing Machines

These should be disconnected and any contents removed. A drum-locking bar should also be fitted. We have moved thousands of machines without their locking bars being fitted without problem however, your manufacturers warranty does require this.

Notify those that need to know Well in advance of your move, you should contact your utility companies of your vacation of the premises. Gas, electricity and water authority should be advised. We have a post office link on this site for you to notify the Post Office of you new address so that you can redirect your mail. It is also worth considering telephoning, posting a card or e-mailing friends and associates of your change of address.

Access to premises

To ensure a speedy removal and delivery of your goods, both the premises which you are vacating and the one to which we are delivering, have good access for our vehicles. It should be noted that if we have quoted for delivery to an address with good access and this is not the case, your quoted price may be subject to adjustment.

It is also important that someone is available at the destination to advise the crew as to where to unload the consignment. Within reason, your furniture will be placed where you require it to be situated. Labelling of boxes makes the distributing task easier. It is a good idea to have a room set aside for boxes that will not be unpacked immediately. This will minimise clutter.

ChildrenChildren

are always excited about moving and will want to help. Loading a removals van can however be hazardous. We would therefore ask that they be supervised and kept at a safe distance from the van and the crew whilst they are removing heavy items.

Final ChecksBefore leaving, make sure everything has been loaded – check all rooms, particularly fitted wardrobes, lofts, airing cupboards, garages and sheds. Only then should you decide to vacate the premises.

The Crew

All our crew are helpful, courteous and professional porters with considerable experience and they are ultimately responsible for the safe delivery of your goods. It is heavy work, requiring lots of physical effort… so the odd cup of tea would be welcomed.

Costs

There’s so much preparation involved and so many things you need to remember to do not to mention all the expense that’s involved. When it comes to the financial aspects of moving home you’ll have probably thought of things like the costs of solicitors fees and surveys etc.

However, there are so many other things to consider that if you don’t plan carefully and draw up some kind of moving ‘budget’, the actual bottom line cost of moving can be far higher than you anticipated which is not the start you’ll want to get off to when moving home is stressful enough as it is.Therefore, it’s useful to create a budget so that you know, more or less, just how much your move is going to cost so that you’re prepared and know, as accurately as you can predict, how much you’re going to be spending.

This article will cover all the main necessary expenditure that you’re likely to incur apart from legal fees and survey costs. Not all of it will be applicable to every move and there may be some additional costs that are not on here but which are specific to your own situation.However, by drawing up a plan following similar guidelines to this, whether you do it as a Microsoft Word document or Excel spreadsheet or even if you resort to pen and paper, it should help you manage your finances better when it comes to moving house.

Removal Packing and Storage Fees You’ll need to work out how many storage boxes you think you’re going to need. OK, there’s bound to be some guesswork here although many storage box companies will be able to give you a fair estimate on how many you’ll need based upon the number of rooms in your house and the kind of items you’ll be taking with you.

You’ll also need things like bubble wrap, protective inner packaging materials and tape as well.Cleaning CostsYou’ll probably want to leave your own home spick and span for the next occupants and even if the previous residents in your new home have thought of that too, you should factor in the cost of cleaning materials for both houses just in case.

Redecorating Costs

If you’re planning to redecorate or refurbish your new home, you’ll need to work out how much money that will cost. An idea, to give you a rough estimate, is to consider each room in your new home and what needs doing to each and to work out a budget per room or, if that’s going to take too long, consider the room which requires the most work and draw up a list of what needs doing.

Once you’ve reached a figure, multiply that by the number of rooms in the house. It won’t be as accurate as the first method but, being the room which needs the most work doing to it, it’s a safe bet to assume that the total cost will not exceed your estimate.Utility DepositsYou might also need to find out if there are any initial deposits to pay as far as utilities supplies being connected in your new home are concerned e.g. gas, electric, water, phone, internet access etc.

Moving Into Rented Accommodation

If you are moving into rented accommodation, you’ll need to find out how much the deposit will be in addition to your first month’s rent and many landlords will also want you to put up a bond as security against any damage that may occur to the property whilst you’re a tenant. Make sure you’ve studied your tenancy agreement too and look out for any hidden extra costs as you’re likely to be liable for things like council tax too.

Miscellaneous Items

You should also add on a sum of money for any other minor costs you might incur, e.g. disposal of household items that your local authority won’t take away with your household rubbish and things like parking permits.Obviously, this article can only skim the surface here as one household’s needs are likely to be very different from another’s. However, by trying to think of every eventuality in terms of costs when you’re moving, coming up with a total figure and then adding on, say, 5% to the total – just in case you’ve forgotten anything, the final figure you come up with should be an adequate sum which should cover most eventualities when it comes to the costs of moving house.Service

If you intend hiring a professional removal service, get 3 removal quotes and make sure that the costs include petrol and any labour. Then, even if you’ve not decided which company to choose yet, budget for the highest cost.

Remember to include any insurance costs too, if you are going to take any insurance out in case of damage to items. If you’re moving yourself, work out how many trips you might need to make to get all your belongings from your old house to your new one and estimate how much that will cost in petrol. And, if you’re going to ask a friend to help you with the move, make sure you factor in the cost for the tip you hopefully intend to give them.

Lodgings

If you’re moving further away and you know you won’t be able to complete the move in one day, find out how much it’s going to cost for your hotel lodgings overnight and add on meal and drinks costs if that’s not included, unless you’re going to make your own provisions for that.Child/Pet CareUnless you have family and friends or neighbours who are going to keep an eye on your children and/or pets whilst you get settled into your new home, you may need to factor in childcare costs and kennelling too.