There are few more stressful things that we choose to put ourselves through than the massive upheaval of a relocation. Moving your family from the home they know to a new area can cause all kinds of headaches and hassles. Kids will often be complaining about leaving their friends and schoolmates behind. There are also the problems of finding new schools, new medical facilities, a new branch of your bank and so on. All these issues can play on your mind. It is vital to keep your eye on the ball throughout the entire process of moving house. A well thought-out moving checklist can help you to focus on the essential stages of removals and storage.

1.    Your checklist should be accessible at all times from the moment you decide to move. Keep it hung-up somewhere handy on a clipboard. Try to assemble the list according to a timeline. Get plenty of expert advice about what tasks need to be done how far in advance of the actual moving day.

2.    One simple task that you can begin as soon as you know that you will be moving is to begin keeping old newspapers to use as packing. It is also sensible to start reducing the amount of food in your freezer and to cut down on the perishable goods that you purchase. The less food you need to move the better. This will also reduce the risk of food spoiling during your relocation.

3.    The expense of hiring any moving company can also add to the tension involved in moving home. Try to do anything possible to diminish these costs. Use any materials you have at home to protect your belongings during the move; blankets, cushions, towels, curtains and pillows can be wrapped around delicate objects and then covered in bin bags or cling film to keep them clean in transit.

4.    If you decide to employ the services of a specialist moving company, you should get your money’s worth by taking advantage of their accumulated knowledge of potential pitfalls and time-saving ideas. A home visit is a good starting point. The experienced movers can see exactly how much you need to pack and load; they can work out if your belongings can fit into a small van or if something larger is required. Ask them if they do regular runs to your destination; if so, is it possible to attain cheap removals by adding your possessions to partial loads to share the costs?

5.    Remember that there are many institutions that will need to be appraised of your relocation; this can include your insurance company, your bank, the Post Office and the tax authorities. You will also need to change the address on official documents such as your passport and driving license as well as informing the DVLA and your car insurance provider that you have moved. Utility suppliers also have to be made aware of the date of your home removals so that they can read the meters at both addresses.

The busy streets of Great Britain’s capital present particular problems for potential movers. Getting your things from one district to another might be possible by making trips in your own vehicle. If this is not plausible, it is advisable to seek out helpful hints before booking a company to assist in your cross-city relocation. Make sure that your chosen movers have the correct insurances and that self-packed boxes and their contents are covered in transit.