How to plan the perfect house move

Decide whether to hire a removals company or do it yourself

An important first decision to make is whether to handle the house move yourself or to hire a removals company to do everything for you. This is very much dependent on the scale of your move and the amount of furniture and heavy items you have. If you are handling a large-scale house move, then hiring a removal firm may be the best option. It is important to research companies and read their reviews fully before booking. Professionals will ensure a smooth, stress-free move and take care of the hard work for you. Your dedicated estate agents in Brentwood may be able to offer advice.

If you don't have vast amounts of homeware and heavy furniture, you may find that moving yourself is a cheaper and easier option. Usually, friends and family will be more than happy to help (and provide additional transport) with the promise of a takeaway and drinks at the end of the day!

Check-lists and labels for organisation

It can be hard to keep track of what you've done and what is still left to do. Creating a checklist on paper or on your phone is a great way of ensuring that you tick all of those important boxes and tasks off in an organised fashion. Simply add sticky labels to items and boxes with details of their contents for additional peace of mind.

Keeping track of paperwork and updating utilities

Moving house comes with a lot of paperwork. Staying on top of your filing system before and after the move will make things easier for you in the long run. Scan any copies to keep as backups and keep paperwork stored together in cohesive files. Don't forget to take meter readings and arrange your mail redirection.

Cleaning and preparation

When moving into your new house, you never quite know how it will be left by the previous owners. If you have the opportunity to spend a full day cleaning before the removals start, it will ensure that your home is sparkling clean and ready to unpack your belongings.

The first night in your new home

The first night in your new home is an exciting time but it can also leave a lot of us feeling anxious or out of sync with our usual routines. If your routine is important to you then why not consider packing a separate box of your favourite possessions and evening essentials. Having all of your most used products in one handy place can help you to feel instantly grounded and settled into your new surroundings.

Setting up your bed and bedroom area may not be possible, but giving yourself a comfortable place to sleep and setting up new bedding, curtains and homely accessories will give you a place of relaxation and tranquillity. With any luck, you'll awaken perfectly rested and energised ready for the days ahead in your new home.