Moving house? Top tips on planning for the big day

The big day is looming, the excitement is mounting and then you realise you can’t put it off any longer – the packing!

Have you got enough boxes? What about the breakables and family heirlooms? How will you find the kettle?

Having drawn up a ‘to do’ list well in advance, it should be plain sailing.

However, independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray has some tips tips to help reduce the potential for a stressful moving day:

- Don’t leave everything until the day before you move. Consider what you don’t need to take with you, what will need careful packing and that you are covered for potential breakages.

- Make a priority list and take your time. As it is a fresh start only take what you really need and use a couple of those boxes to store charity or car boot items.

- Ensure you have enough boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and marker pens to label things up. Boxes of all sizes will ensure you don’t overload the larger ones.

- Pack an ‘essentials box’ for the first night in your new home – the kettle and tea bags amongst them – and prepare an overnight bag for the family with household necessities.

- Start early and begin at the top of the house and work your way down, labelling boxes for each room as you go.

- Pack important documents together and keep them in a safe place.

- If you have children or pets, try and get a neighbour or friend to look after them whilst you are packing.

- Don’t forget to contact Royal Mail to get your post redirected to your new address.

- Take readings from gas, electricity and water meters – taking digital photographs of the metres to back up your readings.

Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “As well as the huge excitement of moving to a new home, there is also the enormous task of packing. However, with an organised approach and a strict action plan to follow, it may not be as daunting as you think – and what’s more, it will make unpacking at the other end a lot smoother.”

Visit harrisonmurray.co.uk for more information.