PLANNING TO MOVE

When it comes to moving home, there is no such thing as enough time. The sooner you start working through the following, the less stressed you will be.

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REMOVAL COMPANIES

Get quotes from 3-4 removal companies. Negotiate to get the best possible price or speak to ourselves as we have a removal company we can refer you to for the best deals around!

Your local council maybe able to arrange the removal of large items you no longer want. This service sometimes has a small charge.

YOUR CONTACTS

Start working through your list of contacts to advise of your move. Most contacts require a minimum of a month’s notice, so the sooner the better.

If your children are moving schools, inform the existing one in writing of the final date they will be attending and call the new school to confirm the start date.

PETS

If your pets are not accustomed to travel or are of a nervous disposition, you may wish to speak to your vet for any advice to minimise the stress. The journey teamed with unfamiliar surroundings can be distressing for some animals.

MEASURING & PLANNING

Take measurements of your favourite/largest pieces of furniture you want to move so you can take this on viewings with you.

PACKING

Start packing the items that you do not use frequently such as things from the spare room.

Your main focus will be on the house but don’t forget the garden, garage, shed, attic, basement and the other obscure places that are easily forgotten.

NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS

If you are moving a long distance, you may want to consider storage for non-essential items which will allow the removers more time to focus on the most important items.

SIZE MATTERS

It can be tempting to pack as much into a box as possible, but lots of smaller boxes are easier and safer to move about than a few heavy ones. Start collecting boxes as soon as possible. Use the internet to purchase moving boxes.

YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Let your neighbours know in advance so they can expect the removal van temporarily in the area. They may even offer to park their car elsewhere to allow the van some extra room to manoeuvre. Similarly, if there are parking restrictions outside your property, you may need to make arrangements to allow the removers to set up.

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

DATE & TIME

Confirm the date and time of moving day with your removal company.

ROUTINE PLANNING

Start thinking about your daily routine – what key things do you need access to everyday such as the remote control, toothbrush, breakfast bowl, etc. Make a conscious effort to pack these items separately in something distinctive.

BARE NECESSITIES

Don’t forget to put aside a roll of toilet paper which can be used at the new property – easily forgotten but extremely necessary on moving day!

BOX LABELLING

Permanent markers are an essential item to help locate items – write on every side of the box as it will make things easier to find. Use one colour to label which room the box should end up in and another for the main contents.

FURNITURE

Where possible, start to dismantle furniture that is not essential. The last thing you will take apart is the beds and this can be done the night before moving day.

Put stickers on large items of furniture so the removers know what room to put them in at the other end.

Bubble wrap is great for your valuables but items such as bedding and towels can be just as effective and take up less room.

YOUR BILLS

Pay your local bills such as newspaper delivery, milk, outstanding video rental, etc. where applicable and ensure future deliveries are cancelled.

CLOTHING ETC.

The best thing to pack your clothing, shoes, linens, etc. in is bin liners – suitcases can be kept for essential items such as toiletries that you will need immediate access to.

CLING FILM

Cling film (the moving variety not the one for your sandwiches) is great for wrapping items such as sofas, mattresses, etc. to prevent scuffing and stains.

You can even use cling film to wrap drawers and CD racks in to save having to pack and unpack these separately.

FOOD AND DRINK

Make arrangements for refreshments and food on moving day. Sounds obvious but you will be amazed how easily this is forgotten. Keep the kettle, sugar, tea, coffee and milk aside with some mugs and biscuits.

JOURNEY PLANNING

Plan your journey between your old and new property. Even if you know the way, everyone who is helping you move may not. Try to think about how the journey is affected at different times of the day as you may need to go back and forth. Look out for useful landmarks, such as shops, to help the removers find the property.

Check the removers know where they are going and have directions. If the property is hard to find, describing useful landmarks such as shops, etc. will help prevent them getting lost.

THE HANDOVER

Prepare a note for the new owners explaining how things work and where they can find useful items such as the boiler switches, aerial sockets and alarm codes. A few kind thoughts will go a long way when it comes to mail redirection and injects some humanity into the whole process.

Also include details of who currently provides the utilities at your property as it is not always obvious.

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

Moving Day

AT YOUR CURRENT PROPERTY

THE REMOVERS

Meet the removers and give them a quick tour of the existing property.

Explain what is to go and what is to stay. If there is lots to leave behind, it maybe worth marking this beforehand with bright tape to avoid confusion.

If there is anything that requires extra care, point this out at the start. But refrain from checking everything the removers take out – it is unnecessary and causes delays.

Do a final check when the van is loaded to ensure everything has been taken.

MOBILE NUMBERS

Swap mobile telephone contact numbers with the removers.

Make sure everyone else who is helping you move has each others’ numbers too.

SECURITY

Check all windows and doors are locked and the utilities are all turned off.

AT YOUR NEW PROPERTY

THE REMOVERS

Give the removers another quick tour so they know what rooms to put your items in.

Try putting up a sign so they know which room is which, especially where bedrooms are concerned.

When the van is unloaded, do a final sanity check to ensure nothing has been left behind.

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

PLANNING TO MOVE

When it comes to moving home, there is no such thing as enough time. The sooner you start working through the following, the less stressed you will be.

Planning

REMOVAL COMPANIES

Get quotes from 3-4 removal companies. Negotiate to get the best possible price or speak to ourselves as we have a removal company we can refer you to for the best deals around!

Your local council maybe able to arrange the removal of large items you no longer want. This service sometimes has a small charge.

YOUR CONTACTS

Start working through your list of contacts to advise of your move. Most contacts require a minimum of a month’s notice, so the sooner the better.

If your children are moving schools, inform the existing one in writing of the final date they will be attending and call the new school to confirm the start date.

PETS

If your pets are not accustomed to travel or are of a nervous disposition, you may wish to speak to your vet for any advice to minimise the stress. The journey teamed with unfamiliar surroundings can be distressing for some animals.

MEASURING & PLANNING

Take measurements of your favourite/largest pieces of furniture you want to move so you can take this on viewings with you.

PACKING

Start packing the items that you do not use frequently such as things from the spare room.

Your main focus will be on the house but don’t forget the garden, garage, shed, attic, basement and the other obscure places that are easily forgotten.

NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS

If you are moving a long distance, you may want to consider storage for non-essential items which will allow the removers more time to focus on the most important items.

SIZE MATTERS

It can be tempting to pack as much into a box as possible, but lots of smaller boxes are easier and safer to move about than a few heavy ones. Start collecting boxes as soon as possible. Use the internet to purchase moving boxes.

YOUR NEIGHBOURS

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

Week Before

DATE & TIME

ROUTINE PLANNING

BARE NECESSITIES

BOX LABELLING

FURNITURE

Where possible, start to dismantle furniture that is not essential. The last thing you will take apart is the beds and this can be done the night before moving day.

Put stickers on large items of furniture so the removers know what room to put them in at the other end.

Bubble wrap is great for your valuables but items such as bedding and towels can be just as effective and take up less room.

YOUR BILLS

Pay your local bills such as newspaper delivery, milk, outstanding video rental, etc. where applicable and ensure future deliveries are cancelled.

CLOTHING ETC.

The best thing to pack your clothing, shoes, linens, etc. in is bin liners – suitcases can be kept for essential items such as toiletries that you will need immediate access to.

CLING FILM

Cling film (the moving variety not the one for your sandwiches) is great for wrapping items such as sofas, mattresses, etc. to prevent scuffing and stains.

You can even use cling film to wrap drawers and CD racks in to save having to pack and unpack these separately.

FOOD AND DRINK

Make arrangements for refreshments and food on moving day. Sounds obvious but you will be amazed how easily this is forgotten. Keep the kettle, sugar, tea, coffee and milk aside with some mugs and biscuits.

JOURNEY PLANNING

Check the removers know where they are going and have directions. If the property is hard to find, describing useful landmarks such as shops, etc. will help prevent them getting lost.

THE HANDOVER

Prepare a note for the new owners explaining how things work and where they can find useful items such as the boiler switches, aerial sockets and alarm codes. A few kind thoughts will go a long way when it comes to mail redirection and injects some humanity into the whole process.

Also include details of who currently provides the utilities at your property as it is not always obvious.

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

Moving Day

AT YOUR CURRENT PROPERTY

THE REMOVERS

Meet the removers and give them a quick tour of the existing property.

Explain what is to go and what is to stay. If there is lots to leave behind, it maybe worth marking this beforehand with bright tape to avoid confusion.

If there is anything that requires extra care, point this out at the start. But refrain from checking everything the removers take out – it is unnecessary and causes delays.

Do a final check when the van is loaded to ensure everything has been taken.

MOBILE NUMBERS

Swap mobile telephone contact numbers with the removers.

Make sure everyone else who is helping you move has each others’ numbers too.

SECURITY

Check all windows and doors are locked and the utilities are all turned off.

AT YOUR NEW PROPERTY

THE REMOVERS

Give the removers another quick tour so they know what rooms to put your items in.

Try putting up a sign so they know which room is which, especially where bedrooms are concerned.

When the van is unloaded, do a final sanity check to ensure nothing has been left behind.

This guide is provided as a summary only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Manhattan Estates accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.