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Moving home page | Choosing an area | Moving home checklist | Moving home with the kids | Removal firms | Packing checklist | Change of address
Remember moving is one of the more stressful times in a persons life. Here is a checklist to help make moving enjoyable and to make sure that you don`t forget anything. Good luck!
When you have 6 weeks to go before your move:
Contact a moving company and tell them the dates you plan to move.
Create a "move file" to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information.
If you don`t know the area you are moving to this is a good time to do some research on the area. Local groups, kids clubs etc.. Visit the area and get to know people before you move in. The internet is a great place to start.
Find a school, nursery, child minders in your new area.
Check personal insurance policies to see whether moving is covered.
Start collecting suitable containers and packing materials if you plan to do the packing yourself.
Buy only what you will use before moving.
When you have 4 weeks to go before your move:
Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms, and others who need to be notified of your move.
Set a date to cancel the newspaper and other home deliveries, milk etc
Moving is a good time to have a clean out and get rid of all the things that are gathering dust.
Why not do a car boot sale and get money for your unwanted items or give them to a local charity shop?
When you have 2 weeks to go before your move:
Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
Involve your children in the packing and moving. Moving to a new house and especially a new town can be scary for children. We have put together some useful hints on moving with children.
Hold an open house or informal dinner for friends to say good-bye.
If your moving far away - consider taking your car in for a service (you don`t want to break down on the way to your new house).
Have rugs and curtains cleaned and keep them in bags until the movers arrive.
Return library books and anything else you may have borrowed.
Start packing.
When you have 1 week to go before your move:
Pack a large box and take it with you in the car. It should include, sponges, paper towels, cleaning products, paper plates, plastic knives, forks etc.., light bulbs, hammer, bin bags, soap, toiletries, utility knife, cups, kettle, coffee, tea bags sugar, toilet paper, snacks, pencils and paper, a local phone book, masking tape, bath towels and a change of clothes. All of these are essential for the moving day.
Defrost the freezer two days before you move. Ask a friend or family member if you can keep your frozen foods in their freezer. Pack all frozen foods in a ice bag.
Make a list of every item and label the boxes. Check out our packing checklist it has lots of useful terms for naming your boxes.
Set aside valuables and legal documents to go with you, not on the van.
Write a list of all useful telephones and addresses to take with you. (You might need to contact your old doctor about something).
When you have 1 day to go before your move:
Mark all items that you do not want to be moved. Mark the box that has all your fragile bits in "FRAGILE".
Give back any thing that you have borrowed from someone else and get back what other people have borrowed from you.
Leave mirrors and pictures on the walls for the movers to pack.
Leave beds assembled, use sleeping bags if you can and pack all of your bedding.
Unplug all TV sets 24 hours in advance so they will be at room temperature the day of the move. Moving a set in which heat is retained could damage internal parts.
Moving day!
It is your responsibility to see that all your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is complete. After making sure no items are left, check and sign the inventory. Keep your copy.
Be sure the van driver has the exact address of your destination.
Keep your mobile switched on during moving day.
Leave a note of your new address in the house so the new occupants can forward any mail.
Your new home
If you can, be at your new home when the removal men come if you can`t make sure that some one else is there.
Unless other arrangements have been made, be prepared to pay the removal company's bill. The van driver is obligated, by law, to collect for charges upon delivery.
Check your goods as they are unloaded. If anything is missing, note it on the
inventory sheet.
By signing the sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed.
Check appliances and systems to ensure all are working properly, and arrange for repairs if necessary.
Consider drawing out your new floor plan and decide where you want furniture and appliances placed.
Have an early night and leave the unpacking until the next day
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