Everything you need to know about moving home
Moving home can be a daunting process. Our guide talks you through all the details and offers helpful tips and tricks to make moving home less stressful.
Key takeaways
Moving house can be stressful, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible
You’ll need to get your finances in order before you move and find out what you can afford
Follow a checklist to make sure that you tick off key jobs in the moving process such as updating your address and contacting energy suppliers
Getting ready to move
Finding a new home can be exciting, but it’s also a process fraught with stress.
Before you’re ready to move, you’ll need to navigate the buying process. You’ll have to:
Determine what you can afford
Before you start seriously looking for a new home, you’ll need to get a gauge on what you can afford to buy. Compare mortgages or speak to a mortgage advisor to determine your budget. A mortgage in principle will give you a clearer idea.
Budget for additional fees
House buying can be an expensive process, with solicitor fees, moving costs, and stamp duty sometimes catching buyers off-guard. If you’re a first-time buyer you might also be furnishing a property from scratch. Make sure you understand these costs before committing to a particular property.
Find a property
Once you have a clear idea of your budget, you can start viewing properties and making offers if you find anything you like. Depending on the market, you might need to make multiple offers before one is accepted. Once an offer is accepted, you can engage a solicitor to guide you through the process and finalise your mortgage.
Conduct a thorough house survey
Ensure your future home is in good shape before you commit by carrying out a survey. If you find any major issues you may wish to negotiate with the seller to lower the price or ensure repairs are carried out prior to you moving in.
Exchange contracts
Take the final legal steps to make the home official yours.
Remember, the importance of staying on top of your mortgage repayments cannot be overstated. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Moving home checklists
Here are two checklists to help you with the process of moving house:
Leading up to moving day
Moving house frequently ranks in surveys as one of life’s most stressful experiences. Reduce the stress of moving by planning ahead and getting as much as you can done in advance. A checklist can help. It should include:
Compare removal costs to get a good deal and book a removal company as far in advance as you’re able
Check parking restrictions at your new and current address. Does your removal firm need a permit?
Collect or purchase packaging materials – your removal company may supply them, or local businesses might be willing to give you surplus boxes if you ask
Decide what to keep and what to throw away so that you’re moving as little as possible between homes. The less you have to move, the cheaper your removal costs will likely be.
Sell unwanted items to help reduce landfill waste and cushion some of the costs of moving
Contact suppliers such as energy and internet providers to let them know you’re on the move. Research prices in your new area, and consider if you’d like to stay with the same provider or move to a different company.
Sort broadband for your new property as this can sometimes take up to a month to set up. You might want to switch providers, depending on coverage in your new home.
If the sellers permit, visit your new property to take measurements for blinds, curtains, carpets, and any new furniture so that you can order things to arrive as quickly as possible after you move
Arrange child and pet care for moving day
Update your address on any bills or subscriptions
Contact the post office to arrange a mail redirection service
On moving day
The day has arrived – it’s time to move! To make sure everything goes without a hitch you can:
Label your boxes to make unloading easier at the other end
Take meter readings at your new and old properties
Have cleaning products on hand. You’re expected to leave your property in a good state, and you might find that a last-minute clean is needed once furniture is out the way.
Do a final, thorough check of the house to make sure that nothing has been left behind and that windows and doors are secure
Leave all sets of keys for the new owners
Once at your new house, check for damaged or missing items, or anything you might need to query with the sellers
Settling into your new home
Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the moving maze and are now in your new home. Here’s how to quickly settle in and start enjoying your new space:
Meet the neighbours: A friendly introduction can go a long way in feeling at home. Learn the logistics Get to grips with the bin collection schedule and other local services.
Update your details: Change your address on the electoral roll and anywhere else you haven’t yet updated.
Notify companies: Ensure that your car insurance, banks, and other important contacts have your new address.
Comparing moving costs with MoneySuperMarket
Moving house can be a challenging and expensive process, but MoneySuperMarket is here to make the process smoother. You can compare costs for everything from conveyancers to energy and broadband providers, and can get help finding a mortgage that suits you.
Comparing costs and finding services and products that suit your needs at the best prices can alleviate some of the stresses of the moving process, and make finding a new home as worry-free as possible.
Author
Katie Bishop
Insurance writer
Katie Bishop is an author and journalist with a decade of writing and editing experience. She has previously worked as an economics editor at Oxford University Press, and her business and finance...
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Collette Shackleton
Content Writer
Collette Shackleton is a highly skilled Content Writer who has over nine years’ experience creating helpful and engaging personal finance content for consumers. Collette shares her experience as a...
