How to Prepare for Moving Day
Who should I make aware of my upcoming move?
Utilities
Water – ensure that your water provider knows in advance that you’re moving home. Take a current reading of your water meter just before you move and send it across to the company so they are up to date with all the necessary information.
Electricity and heating – let the company know which date you intend to move into the property. Take a meter reading on move-in day and send it to the electricity provider, so they can bill you accordingly.
Gas – tell your gas provider which date you’re moving on. On the final day that you move out of the new property, ensure that you record the meter reading to avoid any unwanted discrepancies when it comes to the final bill.
It’s worth documenting as much as you can when it comes to moving. One way of doing this is by creating an album on your phone for house-related images so that everything is together in one place.
Council Tax
Inform your local authority that you’re moving home, either online or by calling them. The local authority will then send you a revised bill or refund based on the exact number of days you’ve lived at the address.
Entertainment Suppliers
TV licence – update the tv licence for your new home by switching it over from your existing one. This can be done by logging into your account on the TV licensing website.
Broadband – inform your broadband supplier that you’re moving at least one month before the move-in date. They will arrange to transfer the service to your new address so that you don’t miss out on having an internet connection.
What personal information should I make changes to?
- Remember to forward on your mail to the new address
- Inform insurance companies about a change of address
- Notify your banks of the change of address
- The address on your driving licence will need to be updated.
- Update your details on the electoral roll so that you can vote in your new neighbourhood.
Should I hire a moving company?
Deciding whether to hire a moving company depends on your budget, distance to your new home and personal preferences. If you don’t fancy lugging your mattress down a staircase, however, it might be worth researching removal companies.
Before deciding on a method for moving home, weigh up the pros and cons of using a removal company or doing it with family and friends.
Pros of the DIY approach
- Moving furniture yourself means saving on removal fees
- There’s not much point paying for removals if you’ve only got a few items to move
- You have complete control over your move, which means flexibility to decide on your move-in dates
Cons
- Be prepared for a serious work out if you have lots of heavy lifting to do
- You might find it harder to get larger items through small areas compared to a professional
- There’s no insurance if furniture breaks or gets damaged when you’re moving yourself
Pros of hiring a removals company
- The entire process is much faster when you employ professionals
- You don’t need to worry about lifting and moving heavy items of furniture
- Having professionals take care of the heavy lifting is hassle-free
Cons
- Minimal moving date flexibility – the movers will decide when you move based on their availability.
- Using a professional company can be costly. Expect to pay anywhere between £85 and £500 for a removal company depending on the size of your home. It’s a good idea to check comparison websites so that you get the best deal.
When should I start organising my things?
6-8 weeks before the move – we suggest you start a clearout of the whole house by removing any unwanted items. Doing so makes the packing process much quicker. Start with the rooms that typically end up being used for storage: the attic, basement and any large cupboards.
4-6 weeks before the move – select a removals company and choose your move-out dates. Think about packing boxes and supplies so that you’re organised and ready to start the serious part of the moving process.
1 month before the move – As you get closer to the big move, it’s time to start packing. Label each box accordingly with the room the items come from. This will help you remember where everything is once you unpack at the other end. Begin by packing items that you rarely use, leaving the larger objects and furniture to the end. Give away any unwanted items to your local charity shop.
2 weeks before the move – begin packing non-essential items that you won’t need in the run-up to moving home.
1 week before the move – finish packing all non-essential items; then create a box filled with items that you’ll use right up until the move-out date, as they might still come in handy right up until the last minute.
The day before the move – make sure you’ve defrosted the freezer and cleaned out the fridge. Label any furniture owned by the landlord so that the removals company doesn’t take it by mistake. Remember to keep all major items including credit cards and jewellery with you throughout the moving process.
What should I do with items I don’t want to take with me?
Clothes – send these to a local charity shop where they can be reused and loved by someone else.
Furniture – drop your unwanted furniture at a recycling point. Or make a request for the council waste collection team to collect it. This usually costs between £20-25, so is relatively inexpensive. Alternatively, you can try selling it for extra money on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
Unwanted kitchen spices/items – why don’t you try hosting a fun leaving dinner party and whip up something using all the leftover ingredients that you don’t want to take with you? Or just throw them out. Whatever works best.
Should I hire a storage unit?
More often than not this is the best solution for when you have to move out of your current property and the new one is not yet ready for you to move into. Hiring s storage unit provides you with a temporary place where you can leave all of your furniture in the run-up to moving into your new home.
