Planning is essential. Before moving house write a checklist to help you with your move. Below are some points to consider:

• Packing belongings may take longer than anticipated. Start earlier rather than later. Ensure you have enough boxes, packing and tape. Label each box clearly with room and details of contents. Label all fragile items.
• Defrost freezer and empty fridge and freezer of contents.
• De-register from doctor, dentist and optician if moving out of the area.
• Pick up any dry cleaning; take back videos or books or any other borrowed items.
• Notify milkman and newspaper shop.
• Make sure your solicitor has the right contact details to let you know when you have completed on the property.
• Send out change of address cards or e-cards.
• Put all essential documents in a safe place and keep together with valuable items such as jewelry on your person.

Guide to removals

• Chose a reputable removal company who are part of the British Association of Removers www.barmovers.com ensuring you can complain and seek compensation if anything goes wrong.
• Get three quotes from potential removal companies.
• Let the removal company know the size of house you are moving from, the amount of furniture and number of boxes anticipated so they can assess the size of truck needed.
• Avoid moving on a Friday, especially the last Friday of the month. More is charged for moving on Fridays and weekends.
• Make a provisional booking with the removal firm, subject to exchange of contracts.
• Arrange insurance for the move.
• Make a list of your possessions so you can check if anything has to be left behind.
• Arrange a parking space for the removal van.
• If you're moving house yourself ensure you have the right sized van. Too small and you'll be making several trips, too big and you may have problems parking. Ask friends for help in advance.

Tips for your moving day:

• When the removal men arrive talk over the day over a cup of tea or coffee. Let them have a map of where the new property is and a plan of the new house, so they know where boxes and furniture should go. Also suggest places they could go for lunch.
• Ensure you have agreed costs and when to pay the removal men.
• Set aside the vacuum cleaner and cleaning products.
• Strip beds and put bed linen into an identified place for the evening so you will not have to rummage through boxes for essentials on the first night.
• Pack a box with essentials for when you arrive at your new house. Include items such as a kettle, tea, biscuits, milk, mugs, toilet roll, torch, screwdriver, can opener etc and relevant phone numbers.
• If anything is irreplaceable take it with you in the car.
• Check windows and doors are secure. Check gas and electricity are switched off.
• Leave any advice you have on the local area for the new owners.
• Leave a forwarding address or sticky labels just incase you've forgotten something.
• Label any keys for new owner.
• Only let the new owner have keys once the legal details have been completed. Alternatively leave the keys with an estate agent and let them handle things.

At the new house:

• Check the utilities and services are working.
• Clean anything you need to before unpacking.
• Make sure no possessions have been damaged in transit, before the removal men leave.
• Ensure you know how to set the heating timer and know where the stopcock and gas taps are.
• Check the utility readings and confirm what companies have received.
• Unpack and enjoy your new home!