Organise my House Move

We all need some help when it comes to moving house, and it can seem really overwhelming at times, so here at Organise My House we have tried to give an easy to follow checklist that takes you through the countdown to moving, with lots of tips and tricks thrown in - Hope it helps! Of course - if you need some hands on help please don't hesitate to contact us today.

When choosing your new property

• Try and get your property on the market or ideally sold prior to looking for your next property - its a difficult scenario to be in, but if you are in this position you are ready to be able to pounce on the property of your dreams when you see it, and the sellers may well look at you most favourably in a bidding war if you have your property sold already.

• To get your property sold as soon as possible, ideally you will want to have it staged for selling by a professional. This does not have to cost a lot, but may mean the difference between selling quickly, and the property languishing on the market for weeks/months. This practise in common place in the US, where most homeowners would not consider putting their home on the market without it being staged first - why would you want to try and sell the most expensive asset you own when its not looking the absolute best it can look?
  

• If you are moving to a new area, research the area and surrounding areas carefully. See how far you would comfortably commute and draw a circle around that area on a map. Then look at whats a high priority for you - schools, being close to shops, being rural/urban etc.... and then you can close your search location down even more - saving valuable time when viewing properties. 

• Get on all the local estate agents books - you want to be the first to find out about suitable properties. Show that you are keen and willing to move, and not a time waster. You want them to call you as soon as your ideal property comes on the market, and not someone else!
  

2 months prior to move date

• When you have found the home you want to move to, and an offer has been accepted, now is the time to really start managing your move. Don't expect things to just happen, and don't assume that this is the case. If you can, look to get a move date in place and agreed down the chain. Then appoint a solicitor with this date in mind. (Keep chasing this date every week so that dates don't slip)
  

• Create a moving folder - and keep everything relating to the move in this - it will then be easy to find all documentation, letters etc.... that can really build up during this time.

• If you are transferring schools, nurseries, offices etc... then ensure that the new ones have been informed and are ready to take you and your children.

• Look at removals firms - I strongly suggest for a smooth and easy move to get them to also pack for you - as they can do this in such a short amount of time, and the cost is minimal for the stress saved. Get recommendations from people who have used them before, and get provisional dates booked in as soon as you can so that its one more thing to not have to worry about (it will also get you really thinking about the logistics of the move, in terms of whether you need any items stored if you are doing work on the new property, whether you will want to take everything you have, is there room in the new property etc....)

• Start to create a floor plan of the new property and work out what you want to put where - this will possibly change in the next few weeks, but having it written down will again force you to think about it, and will make life a lot easier when telling removals people whats going on.
  

6 Weeks prior to move date

• Organise mail forwarding - a years duration is best (especially if you work from home) - CLICK HERE to sort this out

• Get to know your new area - research doctors, dentists, schools, shops etc... and get yourself on their books as soon as possible - it may take a little time to get into each system

• If possible, keep your old phone number in your new house - it will make things easier

• Start to organise your belongings, it is never too early to start thinking about what you may or may not want to take with you. If you can have a big sort out now it will save time in the long run, and you will be able to see things more clearly. Look at our decluttering pages for more details of how this can be done more easily. If you declutter now you won't have to pay removals for moving items that are of no value to you, and you won't have to have them cluttering up your new property - think of this move as a clean slate

4 weeks prior to move date

• WIth things like Sky / Virgin TV and Broadband, call and arrange for them to switch to your new address on moving day - they will then install it at your new property and you will have no break in your service - especially necessary if you work from home.

• Now is a good time to research who the cheapest and best suppliers are in your new area for gas, electricity etc.... so that you can inform them of your move and start an account if it is a differet company to the one you are currently using.

• Book pets to be looked after by friends, or put in kennels or a cattery for moving day to make life easier! Also do similar with children, as they will find the move easier if they don't have to deal with the actual move and the stress around them.
  

2 weeks prior to move date

• Let friends and family know about your move - send cards out the week prior to moving as you will be far busier once you have moved.

• Ensure all your paperwork / financials are aware of your change of address - go through each section in your filing cabinet and keep a checklist of those that you have contacted and had confirmation from

• Start to finish off the food in your freezer so that its easy to clean and you don't waste things unecessarily.

• Ensure all your local accounts are settled and know of your move date (milkman, dentist, doctor, newsagent, library books, dry cleaners etc...)

• Anything that you need to leave for the new owners should be labelled clearly (spare keys, instructions for the cooker, alarm, boiler, etc....) - create a small folder for any paperwork that they may need going forward i.e. warranties etc... Also, check where you are to leave the keys for your old property and where your new keys will be on moving day (especially important if anyone in the chain is moving a long way away as it would be very time consuming if they were to leave and forget to leave the keys!)
  

Day before move

• If possible, get carpets and the house cleaned prior to the removals coming in to your new home - its the easiest time as its empty - then you will be moving into a fresh and clean house

• Removals firms will usually come now to pack up for you if you want this service (I highly recommend it as a time and stress saver!) When packing, label boxes for the next houses' rooms - colour code if preferred as this is easier to see - give the removals people a plan of the new home with the room names/colours on it and then they will be able to unload accordingly

Moving day

• Have a moving box with essentials that you keep with you on moving day - such as kettle, tea bags, cleaning products, hoover, spare change, food and drink, mobile with essential numbers in it, numbers for your solicitor and estate agent so you can call for any updates - etc...

• Transport all paperwork / documents / precious items with you when you move - this will help with your calmness as you won't lose it!

• After the removals have finished in each room, hoover and clean the property - there is nothing worse for the new owners than having to clean the house as soon as they arrive. It is alos a lovely touch to leave a bottle of wine and a note welcoming them to the area and hoping that they will enjoy their new home.

• Ideally for security get a locksmith to change the locks of your new property as then you will be sure that only you have access.
  

After the move

• Take your time unpacking - get the essentials right and then live with the house for a short time - you may find that useage changes for each room

• Give spare keys to a friend or neighbour in case of an emergency