As with many other tasks, the key to a smooth and trouble-free house move is preparation.
At F. Smith & Son, this starts the moment you contact our office. The information gathered by our office staff and surveyor allows us to allocate the correct staff, vehicles and resources to your move.
Even if you don’t have a confirmed moving date, it is still important to start preparing early.
Once your date is confirmed, it only takes a quick call to our office to book it in our diary. We can then assign a vehicle, staff, equipment (and any required specialists) to your move.
It is during this early stage that one of the most important decisions needs to be made. Who will do the packing?
You might decide that you would prefer to do the packing yourself, in which case you will need to buy packing materials. Not all boxes are suitable for house moves, so it is important that you use proper removals boxes which are double-walled and sealable.
If you do decide to pack your goods yourself, it is better to start a week or so before the move. There are a number of reasons why self-packing takes a lot longer than using our packing crews; training and experience are just two.
Our surveyor will know the approximate number of boxes and other materials needed, so they can be ordered by calling the office. It is worth noting that the surveyor will calculate the number of boxes based on them being used by experienced packers, so the estimated number may differ from the actual amount used if they are packed by the customer.
The other option is to use our packing crews to pack all your household goods. This option should be requested at the time of the survey, but can sometimes be added to the removals quote if enough notice is given. Depending on the amount of packing required, this is usually done the day before the move.
F. Smith & Son can also provide partial packing services, such as packing just the kitchen, or just the fragile items. Our specialist packing services include fine art and export packing. For more information and advice on the best packing service for you, contact our office. We are always happy to take your call.
In summary, a house move will be smoother, more efficient and therefore less stressful with the following basic preparation.
- Book the surveyor early – even if you don’t have a moving date.
- Contact the office as soon as the date is confirmed.
- If you are not using our packing services, start packing at least a week in advance.
On the day of your move, there a few things that you may need to keep to one side. These usually include any documents (related to sale, purchase or tenancy) that you may need that day, a phone charger, any daily medication and of course, the kettle and a few cups.
Beyond Packing: Admin to Tackle Before Moving Day
The logistics of packing are only part of the preparation. There are a number of administrative tasks that are easy to overlook and can cause problems if left until after the move.
- Redirect your post: Royal Mail’s redirection service can be set up with as little as five working days’ notice. It ensures important letters follow you to your new address while you update your records.
- Notify your bank and financial providers: Update your address with your bank, credit card providers, pension and ISA providers, and any subscriptions. A change of address form from your bank usually takes a few days to process.
- DVLA: You are legally required to update your driving licence and vehicle log book (V5C) within a set timeframe of moving. It is easy to forget in the chaos of a move.
- Council tax and electoral roll: Contact your old council to close your account and your new council to open one. Register on the electoral roll at your new address as soon as possible.
- Utility providers: Notify your gas, electricity, water, broadband, and phone providers of your moving date. Take meter readings at both properties on the day.
- GP and dentist: Register with a new practice in your new area, particularly if you are moving out of the catchment area for your current one. NHS waiting lists mean it is worth doing this early.
For more preparation advice, visit the F Smith & Son Advice Hub.