Things I wish I knew before moving
Do you wish you knew certain things before you began a moving process that, upon reflection, was not accompanied with information that in hindsight would have been priceless? There is so much going on during the moving process, here's some things worth considering that often get overlooked.
There are several ways you can release the strain of moving, and most of it involves giving yourself a good amount of time to plan, organise and do a little research before you move from one property to another. We wanted to offer our hints and tips on what you can know about moving before you begin to pack your precious items up.
Removal costs
It may well be enticing to just go with the removal company you first see upon your internet search, but that just may well be one of your mistakes. It is wise to gain a few quotes from different removal companies, because prices can vary and every penny saved will help drastically when you are in the process of moving. In order to provide you with the most accurate price, removalists will need to visit your home. During this visit, they will also be able to make a suitable plan for the day of the move, avoid access issues, and ask specific questions about the move.
Always ensure you have a list of questions ready for the removal company that you do decide to go with, because you’ll want to be sure they can meet your demands when the big day arrives. Believe it or not, some removal companies don’t deal with certain items such as valuables or pets, so for peace of mind, double check your removal company of choice is the best one for you.
The quality of your solicitor
A good conveyancer will come with a healthy list of good recommendations from other people, and their reviews will matter. It’s easy to think, ‘I’ll go with the cheapest,’ but if they don’t meet your requirements or match the values you possess when it comes to purchasing a new property, then you are going to probably end up spending more money in the long run, and find your entire process takes a lot longer than it should.
Another strong point to consider is a conveyancer who will have knowledge of the local area, who specialises in that location, with knowledge of the current housing market and be first to know of any news that may potentially impact your purchase. A local solicitor may have the ability to speed up the completion process, which is great news for you.
Watch '5 tips to help you choose the right solicitor when moving home' here:
Setting up broadband takes time
Before you can even begin to set up broadband, you will probably want to take a look at the coverage within the area you’re moving to. You might then discover that your current Internet Service Provider (ISP) isn’t available, in which case you will have to give leaving notice to your current whilst finding one that is. Finding out from your current provider what the terms and conditions are of moving your service to another property, as well as their procedure for connecting you to a new home if that is possible are all things to consider.
If you need to terminate your contract early, you may have to pay a fee, but you will have to give notice even if you are out of contract, so make sure you are aware by looking over yours or speaking to someone within the company. It can take a few weeks to get a new contract up and running, and this includes admin time. Timing is crucial here, as we are sure you won’t want to be without broadband for too long when you get into your new property.
Utilities
The same really applies for all your utilities too. You will want to let your gas and electricity provider know that you are moving so your service can be changed over on the day you move in, as well as be cut off the day you move out of your old property. It seems like a race against the clock, but it can all run smoothly. The key is in the forward planning, as the last thing you want is to have something forgotten, or not taking change-over time into account.
You will need to update your new address on all of your accounts, ensuring your bills are up to date, and setting your council tax in place. Your accounts should all be all paid for and up to date in that respect, and any tax owed back to you from your old property will be refunded to you. Letting your council know of your change of address is crucial, and if our new home is with the same one, then not much will need to be done. If you are moving out of the area, you will need to contact that council in advance for advice.
The same goes for your TV licence - something that many people leave to the very last minute.
Importance of a dedicated in-house sales progression team
We cannot stress how important it is to move with a fantastic and supportive in-house sales team behind you. So many estate agents just want to see the contracts signed, and will often sit back and allow time to tick by without intervening to speed things along, or reassure you, the customer. One of the many ways we bring value to the sales process is through our active participation in the progression of the sale. This part of the process requires a team that can skilfully overcome obstacles, pre-empt problems, find solutions and make the difference to whether you finally move home or not.
School applications
You might be in charge of the finances, but you may not be the only one moving. If you are a family, you will know that your children will need a school to go to, and one with spaces. Applying for a new school can be done after speaking with your child/children’s current school, who will make sure you have all the information you need to smoothly transition your little ones to their new setting with minimal disruption to their learning. You may need to contact the local authority to see what the process of moving schools is, but this can be done in good time.
Transport / amenities
If you are moving somewhere with totally new transport links, you may want to frequent yourself to the new timetables. If you rely on public transport for work, it’s important to gain access to the timings, directions and how long it will take you to get to the bus or train stops. Equally, you should get to know the roads, because your hours might be the one thing that affects your journey time. Anything from living above a motorway instead of below it can be the difference between a ten minute and a forty five minute journey, so get to know the roads well.
Similarly, you might want to see what amenities are close by. Signing up to a new dentist or GP surgery will be one thing you will want to take into consideration before you move house.
If you want to be reassured by a positive and efficient move, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
