Before Your Move

One week before.....

• Call your mover and any other companies involved with the move (vehicle movers, storage facilities etc) and confirm all of your arrangements, times etc.
• Carry on packing!
• Start taking apart furniture that needs to be disassembled.
• Check that your new home is still set to be insured.
• Make sure all your outstanding bills are paid.

One-two days before.....

• Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer and secure major appliances such as washing machines/cookers etc. Make sure that utility companies are confirmed to disconnect services/take meter readings etc.
• Finish taking apart furniture that needs to be disassembled.
• Sort out any plants you're taking with you.
• Check that all the paperwork related to your house sale/rental/purchase is complete.
• Close bank accounts if necessary.
• Finish your major packing.
• Pack up your PC and other electrical equipment. Write down the serial numbers in your moving book.
• Put together a box of essentials for the move such as tea, coffee, mugs, sugar, tools, paper and pen and cleaning materials.
• Make sure all boxes are clearly marked/labelled.
• Start cleaning the house as you go along.
• Make sure you have all the documents related to your move to hand.

During Your Move

Moving day at your old home.....

• Get up early and don't panic!
• Take bedding off beds and pack it up.
• Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.
• Make sure your movers know where they are going.
• Give the house a final clean.
• Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that slips through the cracks.
• Have a final walk round to check you've remembered everything - do this BEFORE the moving vehicle leaves!
• Make sure you have keys to your new home and drop off your current keys as you've arranged.
• Make sure you load everything you're taking yourself in the car and lock it!
• Switch everything off, lock up and leave!

Moving day at your new home.....

• Check everything is working such as power, gas etc - if not, call the utilities companies to find out why not!
• Supervise the unloading process to get everything where you want it.
• Offer the movers a drink and snack!
• Clean before you start unpacking.
• Start unpacking essentials.

After Your Move

• Unpack logically working down from essential to non-essential items.
• Reassemble your furniture when you have time.
• Don't worry about filling wardrobes immediately if you have hired/bought special wardrobe boxes. They can hang perfectly well in there until you have time to put them away properly.
• Get all of your major appliances ready for use again and hook them up.
• Unpack all electrical items as quickly as possible and check for damage - you may have a limited window for insurance claims.
• Register to vote and for any other local government purposes.
• Check your mail is being forwarded to your new address.
• Register with a doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc.
• If necessary change your driver's license and car details etc.