EIGHT TOP TIPS FOR MOVING HOUSE

Having recently made a big move herself, Amy Bradford shares her step-by-step guide to packing up your property (without the stress)

1 As soon as you have decided to move house, have a good clearout. If you aren’t using something, give it to charity, list it on Ebay or employ a clearance company (the Kwik sweep app is great if you live in London). The more stuff you have, the more ruthless you need to be. 2 Start packing non-essentials early and store them out of sight, even if you haven’t found a new property yet – it will make your life easier once a house purchase is under way. 3 Clearly label boxes with details of contents and which room they need to go in once you move. If a box contains fragile or heavy objects, make sure you use lots of bubble wrap and label it accordingly. Throws and cushions are handy to provide extra padding for fragile objects. 4 Interview at least three moving companies well before you move. They should do a site visit, assess how much stuff you have, how it needs to be wrapped, and give you a rough schedule of how long your move should take. Check their insurance policy, and don’t be tempted to skimp on cost: it’s normal to spend over £1,000 on moving, unfortunately! 5 Pack a box containing passports, power leads, mugs, kettle – things you couldn’t survive without for long or that mustn’t get lost. Keep this with you rather than your movers. 6 Notify utility companies, the local council, phone and internet providers and banks of your new address as soon as you have a moving date. Most will allow you to switch your details a couple of weeks before you move. 7 Book engineers to disconnect any lights or appliances you want to take with you. Many moving companies will reconnect washing machines in your new home, but things like gas cookers require Corgi-registered experts. 8 Take a break from work after your move so that you can unpack and settle in properly.