Prior to Moving

Ensure that you have a removals company on board before you exchange contracts - as soon as you know you are moving, contact Abrey-Bateman and let us give you a quotation.

You should start planning your removal at least three to four weeks before your moving in date.

Inventory

Start by making a household inventory. Make a list for each room that lists all items present.

Utilities and Services

Give notice to your telephone, gas, electric and water suppliers and ensure meters are read on the moving day.

You should contact the utilities suppliers for your new house and ensure you will have all the services you require.

Schooling

Consider schooling in the new location - how far is it to the nearest school, which is the best one?

You should apply in advance to the LEA in your new area for school places and notify your child's current school of their leaving date as soon as possible.

Doctor and Dentist

Consider doctors and dentists in the new location - is there a doctor nearby? De-register if you are moving away from the area and start researching alternatives near to your new address.

Notification

Send out change of address cards to:-

Banks
Credit companies
Insurance companies
Employers
Local Authorities for your Council tax - you should notify the relevant authorities in both your current area and the new area to which you are moving.
Motor Vehicle Licence - send the relevant section of your Vehicle Registration Document to the Vehicle Licensing Centre.
Friends
Family

Cancel all your deliveries and services - such as:-

Milk
Papers
Window Cleaners
Gardeners

Post

Pay the Post Office to re-route mail for 3 to 6 months. The Post Office prefers at least seven days notice for the redirection of your mail. This needs to be done over the counter at the Post Office.

Television Licence

Complete the change of address part of your existing licence.

Planning the Move Itself

Disconnection and Reconnection

Start thinking about all your fixtures and fittings that you are taking with you - if you would like Abrey-Bateman to arrange the disconnection and reconnection of any of your appliances, let us know.

Access

Make sure that you have considered any access issues that you might have at your new property so that arrangements can be made in advance.

Packing

1. Opt for our professional packing service

2. If you decide that you would prefer to pack your belongings yourself, make sure that they are properly packed:-

Make sure that the containers you use are strong enough to allow stacking in the van without harming the contents.
Don't make your cartons and boxes too heavy to lift. Half fill these cartons and then top up with the lighter items.
Label boxes with the details of their contents and the room in which they are to be placed at the new address.

Clothing

We can loan you removals wardrobes - for FREE! By hanging your clothes in removals wardrobes, you can minimise any creasing.

Breakables

All your Breakables should be individually wrapped in paper or bubble wrap, then packed into boxes in order to avoid breakage.

Bedding

You should ensure that your bed mattresess and any other soft furnishings are wrapped and sealed in plastic to keep them both dry and safe.

Linen

All your linens should be packed flat in to keep them clean and ready for use when you arrive in your new home.

Curtains and Blinds

All curtains and blinds in addition to any items that are fixed to the wall - such as pictures, should be taken down prior to the moving team arriving, unless specific arrangements have been made for Abrey-Bateman to carry this out for you.

Audio, Video and Computer Equipment

We recommend that if possible, any audio, video and computer equipment are moved in their original packaging.

Food

Make sure that any packets, lids and bottle tops are secured with tape.

If you are moving the contents of a freezer, place the items into large polythene bags so that the entire contents can be lifted and refilled in a few seconds.

Garages and Garden Sheds

These should be sorted in advance of the moving day - all rubbish should be discarded and any tools cleaned and bundled together.

Pets

You might want to consider having your pet sedated in order to minimise any stress to the animal. Your pet should travel to your new home with the family.

On the Day

1. Pack an overnight case with enough clothing for a day, plus some night attire - bedding should be packed too.

2. Keep a kettle, mugs, tea and biscuits ready to keep everyone refreshed!

3. Put some crockery and cutlery aside for that first meal in the new house!

4. Prepare some activities to keep the kids amused while the move is going on.

5. Once the van/lorry has been loaded, walk around the house with the team to make sure that all items to be moved have been placed in the vehicle.