Getting ready to move

You've survived the moving journey so far, now comes the final and exciting part of planning for the actual move. It may be hard to think too far ahead but the earlier you can get organised, the less stressed you will be.

Making arrangements:

• Early on
• Nearer the day
• Organising removals
• On the day
• Moving in
• Dealing with the formalities

Early on

Set a moving date and book time off

Try and work this around appointments at work as you're bound to want to take a few days off to recover afterwards! Book your time off. Once you have a date in mind, it will be a lot easier to make plans.

Clear out the clutter

How many of us hoard unnecessary junk? Use the weeks of waiting to move to clear out what you don't need. The last thing you want is to clutter up your new home with surplus nick-nacks, or end up with furniture that doesn't fit into your new home, not to mention pay for removing items you'll only throw out at a later date. Organise storage if you need it. Think about ordering new furnishings such as sofas and curtains.

Organise removals

You'll also need to decide early on if you're going to hire a removals firm to do the packing and removals or you're going to do it yourself.

If you are using a removals company, arrange this early and advise them of the set moving date. Compile a full inventory of everything to be moved and give a copy to the removal company. Don't forget to include contents of the garage, the attic or loft and the garden shed.

• Find out more about using a removal firm

If you plan to do a DIY move, you'll need plenty of time to get your packing done, especially if you've got a large amount to move. Get hold of all the packing materials you will need including:

• Tape/string
• Padding: bubble wrap; Styrofoam 'beads'; old newspapers
• Scissors/knife
• Labels
• Marker pens
• Trolley
• Plenty of boxes

• Find out more about moving yourself

Investigate new schools

If you are moving to a new area with children of school age, sort out their enrolment at a new school and buy the necessary uniform and equipment.

• Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
• Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)

Empty the freezer

Instead of buying fresh food, start to eat your way through what's in the freezer to save ruining it during the move. Once it's empty, defrost and clean the freezer.

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