WE'VE MOVED!

IM Towers has relocated – we have moved in to the Parkwood area of Maidstone and are now settling into our new “home”……..takes times doesn’t it?  

All that planning where to put the furniture (for us read washing machines, shirt presses and ironing boards) and who has what bedroom (for us, who has what desk in the office, or which board on the floor plan)   Common to both work and home is where to put the kettle, keep the teabags and hide the biscuits.  All big decisions.  Once you’re in your new place, it can take weeks to settle in, so I’ve been thinking about a few tips to make the entire moving process easier.

Here’s the Countdown……

8 weeks to go

• If you've accepted an offer on your home, so it’s time to start getting your affairs in order and compiling a list of folk to work with in the weeks to come.
• Start to gather quotes from removal firms - use a member of  the British Association of Removers for peace of mind. Chase up references and check their insurance, they should be liable for your property while it's in their possession, but they may not cover boxes you have packed yourself so check the fine print. Your removal men will be your best friends on the day.  If you know me ask me the story about the cream sofa, the narrow back gate and the olive tree.  Those chaps earned their beers at the of the day!
• If you have any exceptionally valuable belongings, take them to an expert to assess the exact figure to be sure you have adequate insurance.
• Declutter. Go through every room, clearing out what you don't need and don't want to take with you. It's a pain but will save so much time when you arrive.
• Start collecting packing materials - boxes, newspaper, bags etc.
• Run down your food stores, gradually emptying the freezer and larder.

 

6 Weeks To Go

·         If you are in rented accommodation, give notice to your landlord.

·         Now the decluttering is complete, do you still need to book storage space for any of your belongings?

·         If you need any essential furniture in the new house, order it now to be delivered to your new address.

·         Book time off work. If you can arrange it, a Friday is a good day to give you the weekend to get straight, but a few extra days on top may be advisable especially if you're moving from a large property.

·         Recruit help. Approach friends and family to help on the day, and see if you can leave young children and pets in safe hands, out of the way, on the move day itself.

 

4 Weeks To Go

·         The exchange of contracts means you've passed the point of no return, and the move is definitely on.

·         Start the process of contacting pretty much everyone in your address book, both personal and your utility providers – gas, electric and phone/broadband and TV services (see below). First on the list should be organisations who send you bills connected to the house you are leaving.

·         Confirm the date of the move so you have a fixed point of reference. Make a floor plan of your new home, colour code each room, and stick co-ordinating stickers on each box so the removers know where to deposit it.

Notification Checklist

·         Insurance -  notify your contents insurer and arrange to move the cover to the new address from the day you move in. Building insurance needs to start on your new home from the day you exchange contracts.  

·         Also remember other policies including: life; motor; medical; pets.

·         Gas and Electricity - let your supplier know your move is imminent, and remember you'll need to take final readings just before you leave.

·         Phone - inform both landline and mobile services of the date of the move and your new address.

·         Council Tax - Most councils have websites, so visit yours to submit details of when you leave your old house and move into your new.

·         Water - Let them know the date you are moving out and take a reading before you leave.

·         Employer - Let your HR department know your new details, and inform the tax office if you are self employed.

·         Schools - Don't forget to update your kid's contacts too.

·         Locksmith - Book a slot to change the locks in your new home as soon as you arrive.

·         Solicitor - If your conveyancer is not your usual solicitor, be sure to let them know your new information.

·         Internet Service Provider and cable/satellite TV - Arrange for the service to be transferred or shop around for a better deal.

·         Benefits - Update your records for any social security payments you may receive.

 

2 Weeks To Go

It's time to start dismantling your carefully arranged home, room by room, plus there are now a few more people that you need to notify

·         If you've decided to pack for yourself, the marathon begins! Work through non-essential items - books, ornaments, out-of-season clothes, toys - and mark the boxes with what's inside and what room it needs to end up in.

·         Send change of address cards or use an online service to notify friends and family of your new details and the date.

·         Confirm the details with your removal firm.

·         Arrange a time to collect the keys from the estate agent.

 

Notification Checklist

·         Financial companies - these include your bank, credit card, investments, savings accounts, loans, life assurances, pensions, and shares.

·         Doctor, dentist, optician - deregister if you're moving out of the area or notify your existing suppliers of your change of contact details.

·         Post - it takes five days to set up the instruction to redirect your post, so to be on the safe side visit the post office or complete the online forms now.

·         Deliveries - notify deliveries such as milk and newspapers that you are moving and the date on which you'd like the service to stop.

·         Electoral register - don't lose your right to vote - go online to update your details.

·         TV licence - if you don't notify TV Licensing of your new address, you could end up being unlicensed in your new home, risking prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 – best to be avoided.  This can be done online very easily

·         Friends and relatives - Sending cards by post can be expensive- go through your email address book and send a message with your new details.

·         Non-essential organisations - don't overlook connections you may have to charities, loyalty cards, subscriptions, gym membership, and mail order and internet companies.

 

The Night Before the Big Day

 

Aside from the last-minute packing, there are a few more things to do to help the moving day itself run smoothly.

·         Pack a bag for each member of the family containing their essentials: change of clothes, nightwear, toiletries, and not forgetting bed linen and towels.

·         Organise a box for the kitchen containing tea, coffee, milk, mugs, cutlery, and the kettle. If you are staying in the same area, include a couple of takeaway menus, as you won't feel like cooking - and may not have the means to - by the end of the day. You may also want to pop in a bottle of bubbly - ideal as there's no need for a corkscrew which is always one of the first things to be lost and one of the last things to be found when you move house!

·         As you will probably arrive in advance of the van, keep cleaning materials and the vacuum cleaner with you - you may have the chance to give the house a quick once-over before every room is filled with boxes.

·         You may want to put together a mini-toolkit with a screwdriver and allen key, knife, tape, light bulbs, candles.

·         Keep important numbers with you, such as the solicitor and estate agent, and a pen and paper.  

·         Charge mobile phones.

·         Defrost the freezer.

·         Put valuables and documents in a safe place.

I’m not saying for a minute that if you do all these things you will move without incident but it does at least pay to be prepared.  Happy moving!  And remember to give us a call to pick up your washing and ironing for that first week or so.  Life’s too short not to……..