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Moving house guide

Moving home, while no doubt an exciting time, can also be a period of great stress. Between moving all your belongings and getting your paperwork in order, there can be a lot to remember and get on with. To help you, we've put together a short guide to assist with planning your move.

Our Hawes & Co sales progressors will keep you regularly updated as to how far your sale or purchase has moved on.

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4 to 6 weeks before your moving date

  • Get and compare quotes from removal firms.
  • Ask if you need to pay extra for insurance or packing.
  • Ensure the removal firm is a member of the National Guild of Removers and Storers.
  • Make sure that you read your contract so that you know what to do if any of your goods get damaged in the move, and check your household insurance.
  • Make a list of everything to be moved and give a copy to the removal firm.
  • Avoid peak times to move if possible, eg Bank Holidays, end of school terms and Fridays.
  • Make a list of the utility companies you need to contact or use our compare and switching service - iammoving.com
  • Consider paying to have your mail redirected by the post office.
  • Start packing anything that you won’t need before you move.
  • Give to charity or bin anything you don’t need anymore.

1 week before your moving date

  • If the removal company aren’t supplying boxes you will need to get some.
  • Plan where the furniture is going to go in your new home.
  • When you have packed a box remember to label it so you know what is in it and the removal company know where it needs to go.
  • Arrange for your telephone number to be transferred if you are moving locally or your final bill to be sent if you are not.
  • Cancel any regular deliveries such as papers and milk.
  • Let your friends and relatives know where you are moving to and when.
  • Get rid of anything you don’t need.
  • Defrost your freezers a couple of days before the move.
  • Organise for final readings of your water/gas/electricity meters (72 hours notice).

On the day

  • Make sure all appliances are turned off.
  • Take all your final meter readings.
  • Put together an essentials kit that you can keep close to hand:  Kettle, tea and coffee, plates, cutlery, toiletries and toilet roll, cleaning materials, bed linen, important documents (passports etc) keys to your new home, children's favourite toys.
  • Have a last look around to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.

Your buyer's conveyancer electronically pays off the remaining balance of the purchase price to the seller's conveyancer. This is known as completion. Once the money is received by the seller's conveyancer, they will inform the estate agent that the keys to the property can be released.