Moving house guide

Pick a date

Moving home is a very exciting and for some, a stressful time. To help you, we’ve put together a short guide to help you plan your move.

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

4 to 6 weeks before the 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, e.g. Bank Holidays, end of school terms and Fridays.
• Make a list of the utility companies you need to contact.
• Consider paying to have your mail redirected by the post office.
• Start packing anything that you won’t need before you move.
• Have a clear out and give to charity or bin anything you don’t need anymore
   

1 to 2 weeks before the moving date

• Buy or hire boxes if the removal company aren’t supplying them.
• Make a list of where the furniture is going to go in your new home.
• Pack boxes and then label the contents plus which room it needs to be delivered to – e.g. mark your label Books/Study
• 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 – e.g. papers and milk.
• Send out new address cards to friends and relatives.
• Defrost your freezers a couple of days before the move.
• Organise for final readings of your water/gas/electricity meters (this will require 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 /Coffee, Plates, cutlery, toiletries and toilet roll, cleaning materials, bed linen, important documents (passports etc) keys to your new home, childrens favourite toys.
• Have a last look around to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.

Your buyer's conveyancer pays the 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.

The buyer can now move in.

Enjoy your new home!