Moving house can be a daunting prospect. Think about it - you're planning to pack and transport thousands of different objects, each of different value, shape and size, from one location to another.

But that's why the British Association of Removers (BAR) has produced a checklist of things to do and not to do to help you prepare and plan for a smooth and efficient move.

Planning  your  move

If you move with a BAR-registered company, in most cases an estimator or surveyor will visit you in your home to discuss the details of your planned move. He or she will explain the services they provide and agree with you exactly what's to be included in the quotation, including what will and won't be included in the final move.

When you arrange for a removal company to help you move they need to understand how much requires moving, if packing is required, the time it will take them and how far they need to travel. They will then arrange the appropriate vehicles, number of men required and packing materials to meet your requirements.

The Service Specification document is designed with you in mind. It is there to confirm the specific requirements of your move and help avoid those last minute niggles prior to moving into your new home.

Packing
Packing can be the most time consuming and frustrating part of any move. Many people often leave it to the last minute only to find they don't have enough appropriate boxes to do the job properly.

Your remover can supply you with all the packing materials you need at reasonable cost. Your mover can do all, some or none of the packing.

If you have agreed for your mover to do the packing, the quotation will include the supply of labour and packing materials and therefore all you need to do is relax and let them get on with it.

If you had intended to do all the packing but, for whatever reason, you haven't had the time then you will often find that your mover will still be able to assist.

However, firstly you should give them reasonable warning (at least a phone call the day before) so that when the lorry arrives at your home, it will have the necessary crew and packing materials needed for the extra work.

Secondly, they will have to make an additional charge for the extra work.

Insurance
Even with the greatest care taken, no mover can guarantee that your personal and cherished belongings won't get damaged in transit. This is why all member companies must have insurance which meets BAR standards.

What to take
Decide what you want to take early on and make sure your mover knows this before the quotation is provided. Do not put everything together in one room or area; this makes it very difficult for the crew to work and it will slow them down.

If you can, try to remove anything that is not going to your new home before the moving day. If you can't, then just identify the items clearly, usually by using labels provided by your mover.

Special items
If you have something unusual to take with you, let your mover know. They will make special arrangements for plants, fine art, antiques, wine collections, IT equipment, or anything else about which you are particularly concerned.

The date
Arrange the date as far ahead as possible, but don't guess. Keep your mover informed if you think they might need to react at short notice.

Mains services
Your mover is not allowed to tamper with mains services. Make arrangements with your gas and/or electricity companies well in advance.

Also inform your telephone company and Internet Service Provider and, if required, make arrangements to keep your old numbers.

Deep freezers
It is advisable to run down stocks as much as possible - freezers are not designed to be moved while loaded.

For long distance moves they will need to be completely emptied and for short trips the contents may be temporarily removed, packed in boxes and reloaded at the new home.

However, neither the mover nor most insurers will accept responsibility for any deterioration of the contents.

Carpets and curtains
Your mover will take down curtains and take up carpets by special arrangement (check your Service Specification), but will not fit them again in your new home.

Light fittings
You should remove light fittings before the moving day as your mover is not qualified to do so.

System furniture
This type of furniture is not designed to be moved in its assembled form. You should discuss this with your mover who will be responsible for dismantling it.

Generally speaking, removers would not expect to reassemble such furniture although they may, under certain circumstances, so be prepared to quote separately for such work.

Drawers
Clothes and other light items may be left in drawers, but heavier items such as books, files or tools should be removed and packed separately.

Parking and access
Tell your mover if there are parking restrictions at either location. Your mover will make arrangements with the authorities for permission to park if required.

You should also inform them if they are likely to face any difficulties getting access to your new home. These might include narrow streets, overhanging trees, unmade roads, small doorways, spiral staircases and so on.

Spare key
Sometimes the removal vehicle will arrive at your new home before you do. If you can, give the foreman a spare key so they won't lose any time waiting for you.

Maps and plans
Give the driver clear directions to your new home and a street map if possible.

Also draw a floor plan of your new home and give it to the foreman so that everything can be put in the correct room. Colour-coded labels can also help to identify the correct location for items.

Children and pets
Older children may enjoy the excitement of the move and should be included as much as possible, both during the planning and the move itself, to help them understand the reasons for moving and reduce homesickness.

You might consider having younger children and pets looked after by a relative or friend while the move is taking place.

 

 

A quick summary of do's and don'ts

· Arrange visit of estimator and discuss all aspects of your move
· Receive and consider written quotations
· Select mover by returning signed acceptance
· Confirm dates with your BAR mover
· Sign and return contract and pay the charges
· Advise the moving company about parking restrictions at both addresses
· Arrange a contact number and give this to your mover in advance of your move
· Dispose of anything you don't want
· Run down freezer contents
· Contact carpet fitters if needed
· Book mains services for disconnections
· Cancel all rental agreements
· Notify your doctor, dentist, optician and vet
· Notify your banks,credit card and insurance companies
· Notify your telephone company and ISP
· Arrange to re-route mail
· Notify TV licence, passport, car licence and registration offices
· Notify all your creditors
· Provide your mover with maps of your current and new addresses
· Give your mover a spare key to your new residence
· Clear the loft
· Plan where things will go in your new home
· Cancel milk and newspapers
· Find and label keys for your purchaser
· Arrange minders to look after pets and very young children on the moving day
· Send change of address cards to friends and relatives
· Separate valuable items and important documents ready for you to hand-carry on moving day
· Sort out any items which are not to be moved
· Put garage/garden tools together
· Take down any light fittings
· Take down curtains and take up carpets (unless your mover has been asked to do this)
· Collect children's toys etc for the journey
· Put together a basic catering pack for the family at the new home - including the kettle!
· Make sure that you don't forget anything important on your moving day!

 

Further  information

Moving checklist provided by the British Association of Removers
Tangent House
62 Exchange Road
Watford, Herfordshire WD18 0TG

Tel: 01923 699 480 
Email info@bar.co.uk

For further information visit the BAR online.

All images courtesy of Pickfords. For more information about them, visit Pickfords online.