Moving House Frequently asked Questions from Smartmove

If you have ever moved house you will understand that there is so much to think about, what you need to do and when you need to do it. We have put together a useful Moving House Frequently Asked Questions that will help you when you are planning or actually moving home or business.

Moving house when and where to start packing?

Always give yourself enough time to pack. It is really common for people to look around their home and think, it won’t take me long to pack, we don’t have much stuff! Well don’t be fooled, you really don’t know how much you have to pack until you start the process.

As soon as you put your property up for sale, when you are thinking about it, or at least when you have made an offer on new property start to plan your packing. First of all, have a really good clear out and get rid of stuff that you no longer want and need. Cupboards, drawers, roof, garages, don’t leave anything unturned. Sell as much of it as you can using free selling websites like gum tree, local selling facebook pages etc. If they don’t sell then offer them out for free on these sites or to family members or friends which takes away the need for you to get rid of them yourself. Take any unsold items that you can to a charity shop or use a charity collection service for larger items. After this, use your local recycling centre shop to donate any unsold items and last of all take anything left to the tip. You can also try car boot sales as they are a really good way of getting rid of anything you no longer want. Always remember that there is normally always someone out there who will buy or take items that you no longer want and this is much better than it going to the tip and into landfill.

Source packing boxes at least 4 weeks before you move and pack up each room with the things that you can live without until you get to your new home, Label your boxes by room and do this gradually rather than trying to do it all in the week leading up to your move, as this will make it very stressful for you and your family. A week before your move leave out clothes you will need along with your kitchen essentials.

Contact local removal companies and ask them to give you quotes for packing and dismantling your furniture a day before you move. This is definitely the most stress-free way of moving and everyone who uses this service say they would never pack themselves ever again.

Moving house where to get boxes

You can source boxes from local supermarkets and companies. Ask for large boxes on free local facebook pages as there will be a lot of people will have just moved and will be more than willing to get rid of their empty boxes quickly.

Your local removal company will always have boxes available for you to buy or rent and if they are packing your house up for you these are normally free of charge. They will arrange collection from you a couple of weeks after your move after you have had a chance to unpack.

Will moving house make me happy?

In most cases yes, as long as it is the right property and the right location for you. Most people choose to move house for reasons such as; a better location, school, job etc, however, there are times when people are forced to move house and this can always make a stressful time even more stressful. If this is the case then it’s a good idea to write down all the positives of your new home and think about what you can do to change any of the things that aren’t making you feel good about your move.

Will moving house affect my credit rating?

Moving home doesn’t affect your credit score, however, it changes the information that appears on your credit report. Always remember that moving house often can make you look less stable which can discourage some lenders from giving you credit. Credit reference agencies update your address automatically from various sources.

Will moving house affect my benefits?

You really need to check this before you move. There are many different benefits you may be entitled to so there are many rules in place for each entitlement. The bedroom tax means that housing benefit can be reduced if the property includes unoccupied bedrooms. For this reason, moving to a similar size property on your own can lead to a reduction in your housing benefit or an increase if you are moving to a smaller house with the same amount of people residing.

Will moving house affect my car insurance?

It can do, or it can go down. It’s always a good idea to get a quote before you move so you get an idea of any changes. If when you have done this your insurance company is quoting you a higher premium then when you have exchanged and you know your completion date you have enough time to shop around. Use the comparison websites to decide which ones you want to call for quotes and if you are happy with their price and conditions you can post-date your existing insurance cancellation date and post date your new one to start on the date you move. Some insurance companies will charge you if you cancel mid-term so always ask them about this when you speak to them. As with everything when you move you want to give yourself enough time to shop around and not leave it to your moving day as it won’t be the first thing on your mind with so much going on.

Will moving house affect my toddler?

Moving house is a really stressful event for us as adults as you are trying to keep on top of solicitors and surveyors, packing and making all your arrangements and it can also be a stressful and uncertain time for your children, however old they are.

If they are toddlers or older then talk to them about your new home before your move. If you can take them to show them their new home, bedroom and garden. Get them involved with how they want their room set up and if you’re decorating what colours they would like it to be as this will be exciting for them. If they are moving nursery or school then take them to the school for a couple of settling in sessions beforehand as this will make their first day less daunting and the other children in their class will have met them.

Children are adaptable and resilient as long as you prepare them and give them an opportunity to talk to you about any concerns or worries they may have. Get them involved in buying their new uniform and maybe a new school bag so their first day feels exciting for them as well as the normal nervous feelings.

As you all settle into your new home, ask them if there are any children they would like to invite round for tea and ask other parents if there are any out of school clubs that you could get involved in with your child. This will always help you with settling in too and helps you to meet other parents as well as integrating your child into their new life even more.

Will moving house upset my dog?

Let’s face it moving home can be a really stressful event for us and our families and it’s easy to forget that it can also be stressful for your dog. It’s easy to forget about the logistics and plans for your dog when you are preparing for your move and you are organising everyone and everything. Like you would with your children you can do things that will help them and minimise the stress for them and you when you move home.

You cant avoid all of the disruptions a move can cause for your dog, however, keep as many routines the same as you possibly can. Don’t buy anything new for them before or soon after you move as their bed, blankets, food, food bowls and toys are familiar for them and will give them comfort. These small changes can make the change more difficult for them to adjust to. Your dog will sense and see that there is something going on and know that the house is being packed up so give them lots of love, attention and walks in the days leading up to your move. If at all possible arrange for a family member, friend or local kennel to have your dog on the day of your move as this will reduce the stress for them, and you on the day, not having to worry about where they are or if they are ok. Give them treats and familiar things when you get to your new home so they see it as a positive change. Check your new garden is secure when you first let them out and let them explore their new surroundings inside and out. A dogs smell is very important for them and they need to be able to smell their new home and garden and get used to their new environment. Spend time with them and keep their routine the same, from walks to meal times to where they sleep. Be patient and understand that this is a big change for them. They may or may not show signs of anxiety, however, they are likely to be feeling unsettled. One last thing, don’t forget to update their microchip as soon as you move.

Will moving house affect my baby?

Moving house can unsettle your baby and their routine and let’s face it you will be busy in the weeks and days leading up to and after your move. Try as much as you can to keep their routine the same and take the time to give them lots of love and hugs as you normally would. Ask a family member or friend who has looked after them before to look after them on the day of your move and if they haven’t been without you before this then plan some sessions with whoever will be looking after them before your moving date. Leave them for an hour for the first time and then gradually build this up over the next few times. As soon as you get the keys for your new home make sure your babies belongings and surrounding are the first thing that you unpack and sort. Most babies are absolutely fine when you move house and it is about their routine not changing, so the key to a calm and successful move is to try and keep their routine the same.

Can moving house cause anxiety?

Moving house is known and talked about being one of the most stressful things you can do in your life, even if you are extremely organised and are not normally the sort of person who gets stressed or anxious. No one anticipates the stress of moving when they first start the journey and here are a few things you can do to make it as stress-free as possible.

Look for moving checklists on the internet and create your own, this will help you know when you should be doing what and ensure you don’t forget anything.

A moving checklist will help make the end to end process of moving run smoothly, taking away the stress of forgetting something important that could hold things up.

Make a plan for the months, weeks leading up to your move to include:

• Create your moving checklist and plan
• Create a shared document folder where you can keep all your correspondence from all parties involved, this can be a paper or online folder
• Create a moving budget and keep a track of your actual spend so you can keep an eye on your expenses throughout
• Plan when you will clear and sort each room
• Plan when you will pack each room
• Plan when you will request updates from your solicitor and estate agent
• Arrange for removal companies to come in as soon as you know you are moving for them to give you quotes. Check they have availability around the time you will be moving. Ask them for quotes for their different levels of service, including; moving your belongings, packing and moving your belongings, dismantling and reassembling furniture in your new home. This enables you to decide on the service and cost which is best for you and your budget. Using a professional and reliable moving company will make it so much easier for you in the weeks leading up to and on the day for your move. Keep them updated on the progress of your move if things are moving faster or slower than you first anticipated. When you have an agreed moving date let them know as your first priority so they can book you in
• Always pack a removal day survival kit for your move day. Include essentials such as toiletries, phone chargers, bottles of water, snacks, kettle, mugs, tea, and coffee. This will mean when you get the keys to your new property you can click on the kettle and watch whilst your boxes are moved in by your removal company. Make a list of these items in the weeks leading up to your move as you will always think of things you will need as you are going about your day-to-day life.

Can moving house cause depression?

Moving house could result in depression if you aren’t moving because you want to or if it becomes stressful and unorganised. As we said before, always do everything you can to be organised, get support from family and friends and always try to make time for yourself and to make new friends in your new area.

Can moving house affect a child’s development?

Job changes, military transfers, economic struggles, marriages and divorces are just a few of the reasons that families move house and to a new area. Children are really resilient and generally have the ability to adjust to a move fairly well as long as you plan and put in place some of the things we have talked about before. There has been some research done which shows that moving frequently can be a struggle for children and adults.

In 2012 a study in the journal “Child Development” revealed that children who moved frequently performed significantly lower in math and reading. Each time a child changes school they have to adapt to a new teacher and their teaching style. Moving house is unsettling and the time spent moving and adjusting to new surroundings can, but not always, set a child back in their academic and social development. Children quickly develop a social order in the classroom and playground and some children can struggle to find their place in these groups, causing anxiety and reduced concentration and focus on their learning.

As with everything this research has to be absorbed and it is relative to individual children and their situations, their family environment and how many times they have moved home and area before.

Can moving house bring on labour?

There is no evidence to prove that moving home induces labour, however, yes it is most definitely a stressful and busy time so if you are pregnant and moving home you must take care of yourself, be organised to minimise stress wherever you can and don’t lift and move heavy boxes and furniture.

I can’t sleep after moving house

A lot of people struggle to sleep after they have moved house and this is normally down to the busy months and weeks leading up to your move, the day of your move and the weeks after, Most people can’t take a huge amount of time off work so you are normally juggling your everyday life and your families throughout this time, as well as the unfamiliarity of your new surroundings and the excitement of moving. If you are struggling to sleep in your new home there are a few steps you can take to help this:

• Take a warm bath as the warmth of the bath will help you relax. Don’t have a really hot bath as this will make you feel flustered when you get into bed, rather than relaxed
• Take time to be calm down before you turn the lights off
• Don’t use any electronic devices and watch TV at least an hour before bed. Read a book, listen to music or do whatever helps you to relax and unwind
• Make your new bedroom a perfect sleeping zone. If you’re still awake 20 minutes after you turn out the light, get up and maybe read or listen to relaxing music until you feel tired again. Lying there stressing about not going to sleep really doesn’t help you sleep and gets you more wound up and less likely to sleep
• Avoid daytime naps however tired you are as this will make you less likely to fall asleep when you go to bed
• Don’t drink alcohol close to your bedtime, it is a myth that it will help you fall asleep, even small amounts can make it harder to fall asleep and if you do drop off then your sleep will be restless and not effective
• Don’t drink too many fluids before you go to bed as this will bloat your stomach and may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night needing to go to the bathroom
• Exercise is a brilliant way to wear yourself out and the endorphins released will result in a better nights sleep. Don’t exercise within 3 hours of your bedtime though
• Make an effort to get outside in the sunlight every day as it tells your body when it’s time to be awake, and when not to be. Always wear sunscreen even on cloudy days as the suns UV rays are harmful.
• Keep your bedroom clear of clutter and mess as this will impact the way you feel when you go into your bedroom and when you get into bed
• Have good quality bed linen, there really is nothing better and more relaxing than getting into a clean and fresh bed
• Lavender is a great essential oil that offers calming and soothing properties that can help reduce stress and induce sleep. You can put 3 or 4 drops of lavender oil on your pillow or add a few drops in their bedtime bath
• As a last resort if you still can’t sleep go and visit your doctor who may run tests to check any conditions you may have or if any medication you are taking is causing you to stay awake.
• Give yourself time to get used to your new home, surroundings and bedroom and try not to get stressed about not sleeping as this will make it worse for you…….easy to say I know

I can’t cope with moving house

The key to a stress-free and happy house move is being organised, create a moving plan with timescales and reminders and review it daily as it will give you the reassurance that everything is on track. If dates move then change them in your plan and review how the changes will impact anything else.

Can I cancel Sky when I move house?

It depends where you are in your contract and your cancellation period will depend on the service you have with them. In most cases, a minimum of 31 days’ notice is needed to cancel your Sky TV and a minimum of 14 days for Sky Talk and Broadband. Sky payments are taken a month in advance so you may still be billed for the full month ahead after your service has been cancelled. As soon as you know you are moving, contact them to find out what you need to do.

Can I take Sky with me when I move house?

Yes, you can as long as the service is offered in the area you are moving to. Call them as soon as you know you are moving and they will be able to give you all the information you need and what you need to do to make the changes.

Can I change my energy supplier when I move house?

The answer is, yes. Find out who the current energy supplier is and then use a comparison website or an energy switcher to get the best deal on your water, gas and electricity. Always take final meter readings in your old home as you leave the house and provide these to your existing supplier along with your change of address for your final bill. Again take meter readings when you first get into your new home in case the previous owner hasn’t or to pass to your new energy supplier as you starting meter readings. There are a few energy switching companies out there now and these will review your bills and do all the hard work of switching your supplier each year if there are better services and cheaper options for you. Who knew it could be so easy.

Moving house checklist for the weeks, days leading up to your move

Ten days ahead of your move inform all your utility services, such as water, gas and electricity that you will be moving. Make sure you have a record of them being notified as you are still liable for the bills unless you can prove it, always keep a record of the dates and times you called so you can always refer them back to it. You should take meter readings as well as photographs of them (ideally date-stamped ones), and do the same on the day you move into your new home so you aren’t liable for any bills that were due prior to you moving in.

Call your home and car insurance provider and let them know the date you are moving and your new address, ask them if it will change your premium and ask that they postdate the change for you. It is always a good idea to check with them what is and isn’t insured during your move, as you may need to get additional insurance from them or your removal company. Keep this one on your ‘Important Moving Day Checklist’ to make sure your cover changes over on the date you move as it is an easy one to forget.

Update your address for your driving licence, TV licence, bank, credit cards, insurance providers, and any pensions and investments you may have. Remember, register to pay council tax for your new home as of the date you move in and register to vote.

Empty your freezer. This is one that is easy to forget. 4 weeks before moving house go through everything you have in your freezer and put a meal planner together to ensure that you aren’t wasting food on the day of your move and you have time to properly defrost it ready for your moving day.

Check the people you are buying your home from are redirecting their post. If you do receive post for them once you have moved then write on it ‘return to sender, not known at this address’ and pop it back in the post box. That way the sender will know not to send any future mail, and they can try to find the new address from the recipient.

Redirect your own post with Royal Mail as there will always be people or companies you forget to give your new address to.

Moving day essentials

When you get the keys to your new home don’t try to unpack everything in one day, give yourself chance to relax and take stock after an extremely busy time in your life.

Unpack your essential items first and you can leave those none essentials for the weeks after.

This is when your moving day survival kit really comes into play and you will be so grateful for

Moving House Budget

Creating a moving budget is essential when you are moving. When you are moving house not only do you need to think about how much you want to spend on your new home but also how much you have in your total budget which will need to include all of your removal costs.

The key things to do when you start the process of putting your house up for sale and looking for your new home is to create a moving budget so you have no surprises when you are in the final stages of moving.

When you are thinking about moving home there are so many things to think about and decide. It is seen as one of the most stressful things you can do in your life, so you need to be clear about why you want to move, the area you want to move to and what are the most important things you want in your new home.

You need to understand the value of your current home with a couple of reliable Estate Agents in your area and this will help you to decide how much you want and are able to spend on your new property. Going to see a mortgage advisor or your bank about this is the first thing you should do as you really don’t want to fall in love with a house, make an offer and then have problems getting your mortgage agreed.

When you have done this you can then put your moving budget together, factoring in how much everything will cost and how this will fit with your finances. There are lots of moving cost calculators on the internet and these can help you estimate and create your budget.

What is the cost of moving house?

Estate Agent Fees if you are selling your current home – Some estate agents work on a percentage of how much you sell your home for and some work on a fixed price. When you have an estate agent round don’t always accept the first offer they make you for the cost of their services, don’t be afraid to negotiate as most will always reduce their prices. Ask them what is included in the price they have quoted you and take time to read through their Terms & Conditions before you sign. A lot of Estate Agents will lock you into a contract with them for a certain time period and this is difficult to get out of so the shorter time period you can negotiate will serve you well as if they are not getting you the viewings you need to sell then you are wasting time. Ask them if they will conduct the viewings and what selling points they will highlight to potential buyers.

Conveyancing/Solicitor Costs – Get a couple of quotes and like with the Estate Agent always read their Terms & Conditions carefully. Ask them how many houses they are selling at the moment as you need to be sure they have the time to complete your conveyancing and give you the service you are expecting. Also, check with them what their average conveyancing time has been from start to finish in the last 12 months. Recommendation from others is always a good place to start, ask; were they easy to communicate with, did they keep you updated throughout the process, how much did they have to chase them during the process?

Stamp Duty Costs – Plan your stamp duty costs on your maximum budget spend for your new home and you will know you won’t ever go over this or even better you might have some money left in your budget.

Removal Costs – Get a couple of quotes from reputable local removal companies as well as nationwide companies too. Ask them to quote you for their removal services on the day, loading and unloading, full packing service and dismantling and reassembling service, this way you are getting like for like quotes on the varying service options. You will have a couple of choices when moving home, one being that you carry out the removal on your own using the resources you have got, packing your belongings up in the weeks leading up to your move, along with transferring them and loading them into your car to transfer them on the day. Your second choice is to let a trustworthy and skilled removals company pack and move your belongings for you.

Mortgage Fees – Meet with a recommended mortgage advisor or one through your bank at the start of your moving journey and go through all the mortgage options available to you including any fees associated with exiting your current mortgage and setting up your new one.

Valuation Fees – Your Estate Agent or Solicitor will normally recommend a surveyor who will also value your home. This needs to be done for any mortgage approval so it is vital you use a company that they will accept.

Surveyor Fees – As above in Valuation fees. your solicitor needs to advise you and break down all of the legal fees that will be associated with your move. Ensure these are all included as part of your contract with your solicitor.

Deposit for your new home – This will form part of your mortgage application and agreement. Your solicitor will hold your deposit and your mortgage will then go through the same account and be paid to your seller’s solicitor.

Electronic Transfer Fees – Your solicitor needs to advise you and break down all of the legal fees (including transfer fees) that will be associated with your move. Ensure these are all included as part of your contract with your solicitor.

Maintenance and Repairs – When you have moved, even if you aren’t renovating a property there will always be things that need doing that you didn’t see when you viewed the property or decorating costs, our advice is to factor all of these in. Your survey should have highlighted any problems that need fixing straight away. All of the above are essential costs that you should add to your moving budget and keep it as a working document so you can add to it as you go along. If you add to it then always be sure your move is still affordable for you.

Who to tell you have moved house?

There are so many companies you will need to change your address with and this is why it is important to use a mail redirection service. When you receive a redirected letter, you can then contact them to change your address. The most important ones to remember straight away are:

• Driving licence
• Home and car insurance
• Energy suppliers
• Bank
• Mortgage Company
• Saving Plans

Create a change of address template and this makes it easier for you every time you need to contact a company to change your address.

We hope we have answered your questions and given you some good advice when you are thinking about moving or are moving house.

There is a huge amount to think about and the most important thing to remember is to be organised and plan your time effectively. This will ensure you don’t have any last minute things to do or to rush through which will cause you stress and can make things difficult for you further down the line.

If you are moving home or business then Smartmove North East is a highly professional and reputable removal company that can help you ease the stress before, during and after your move. Contact us on 0191 244 9311 and one of our friendly team can answer any questions you may.

We hope you have found our Moving House Frequently Asked Questions useful.

Martyn Lenthall

Martyn works for Smartmove Northeast as a marketing specialist. He takes great pride in creating quality content for people looking for a removal company in Newcastle.