The Big Move need not be a big hassle, writes Cheryl Markosky. Take the strain out of shifting house with our stressbusting guide
Psychologists consider moving house to be one of life's biggest causes of stress, just behind bereavement and divorce, and yet we are doing it more than ever. People now aged between 18 to 25 will move an average of 10 times in their lives - nearly double the average of 5·7 times members of their grandparents' generation moved.
With so many things that can go wrong, from breaking your best china to losing the keys, it pays to plan ahead. And if you are really brave, simply go on holiday and let your removal firm move everything and unpack in your absence.
TIPS FOR AN EASY MOVE
Ignore the Yellow Pages and choose an insured removals company. Try The British Association of Removers (01923 699480; www.bar.co.uk) for a list of recommended companies.
People in the know say that the best time to move is at the beginning of the month or the beginning of the year when it is quieter. You may also be able to get a cheaper quote then.
It helps to hold on to valuables like passports and keys and to draw the curtains when you first arrive as burglars can spot the boxes.
And remember to label each packing box clearly, using different colour coded stickers for each room - it will save a lot of time and stress at the unpacking stage.
Costs vary depending on the size of your house. Removal companies typically charge an hourly rate of £55 for a van and two trained staff for a 10 to 12-hour day, excluding fuel, parking, VAT and insurance. Get at least three quotes.
A good tip is to have an essentials "hot box" that goes on to the removals van last, so is the first off. Even better, put it in your car. It should hold vital items like a kettle, food and any essential medication. Recommended firms: Ward- Thomas 020 7038 0449, www.wardthomas.co.uk; Cadogan Tate 0118 989 5500, www.cadogantate.com; Pickfords www.pickfords.co.uk. For a useful Move Planner calendar, go to moveme.com
CHILDREN AND PETS
Six months ago, Carol McDade, a nurse, had the unenviable task of moving with a young family - her husband David, and children Ben, four, Daniel, nearly two, and Hannah, 11 months.
They took advantage of an offer of a "smart move" package from house builder David Wilson, which meant a team packed and moved them into their new four-bedroom house in Oakley Vale, Corby, for free, while they were safely out of the way.
Philip Pertoldi from Abels Moving Services (www.abels.co.uk, 0800 626769) recommends keeping children and pets away from the house during the move and to give each child their own box for their toys at the packing stage, which helps them understand the process.
Extra helpers - unless they are professionals - can be a hindrance. "They might think they are lending a hand bringing out items, but if the van is loaded in the wrong order everything might not fit," says Philip.
DECLUTTER AND DOWNSIZE
Leaving the family home can be a wrench for "empty nester" couples and retirees. Probably the worst upset is getting rid of much-loved possessions which won't fit into smaller quarters.
Five months ago, Brian and Diane Humphries had a good clear-out when they left their four-bedroom Victorian house in Egham, Surrey, the family home for over 20 years. The couple, both in their mid-60s, moved to a two-bedroom flat nearby.
"Most people think decluttering is a nightmare, but we found it quite cathartic," says Brian, a retired music teacher. They held a car boot sale, gave items to their daughters, as well as charity shops, and put the rest into storage. Their rule was if they hadn't used something in the past two years, then they wouldn't need it again.
Look out for retirement schemes, such as Pegasus Court (0800 5838844; www.pegasus-homes.co.uk), that offer communal storage rooms or Antler Homes (01922 457155, www.antlerhomes.co.uk) which has a moving and packing service.
Another tip is to dispose of as many items as you can before you get the removals quote. They estimate according to how much you own - the more you get rid of, the cheaper it will be. Decluttering specialists: Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers www.apdo-uk.co.uk; www.cluttergone.co.uk, 01279 792000; www.helpiammoving.co.uk
HELP FROM YOUR ESTATE AGENT
Use your estate agent for more than selling your house. Many agents supply moving checklists and recommendations for local removal and cleaning firms. Some agents offer extra services, but check at what cost. John D Wood & Co (020 7341 0992; www.johndwood.co.uk) offers a free service for buyers and sellers. They can help contacting utility companies, sending out change of address notices, getting rid of clutter, taking valuables to auction and organising builders, housesitters and decorators.
CHANGING UTILITIES
Taking on a new phone, gas and electricity supplier and notifying others of your change of address can be the most tiresome part of the move. Moveme.com recommends giving internet broadband providers at last three weeks' notice to ensure that interruption to your service is minimal. Give your bank at least five working days' notice before you move. Notify the Royal Mail at least five working days ahead (10 days in the busy summer moving period). And remember, the sooner you notify your local authority, the sooner your council tax will be refunded (if applicable) when you move out. Advising the DVLA and TV licensing are legal requirements when moving.
Get as much information on the house you are moving to from the previous owner or developer. Even the wealthiest movers can become unstuck. Property finder Robert Bailey recalls a young dotcom millionairess struggling with the sophisticated lighting system in a smart Covent Garden flat. "The estate agent did not know how to work it and the developer wasn't on hand, so she spent the first night in the dark." He advises to "ask the previous owners how programmable dimmer switches work, where the boiler and its instruction manual is and how many sets of keys have been cut and to whom they've been issued. Change the locks - you never know who has copied keys."
MOVING OVERSEAS
James Barnes of international property agency Robson Barnes (www.robsonbarnes.com, 01483 242491) recommends looking out for removal companies with overseas experience specific to the country where you are moving. "Import restrictions and requirements can be complicated and a good firm will negotiate this for you." It also often makes sense to buy new furniture as a "package deal" when buying in new developments. "In many countries there are duties on importing luxury goods and developers are given concessions as part of the planning consent," he says. Sophie Hollow moved to Portugal to work for the estate agency Sadler's Mediacao Imobiliaria (00351282 789336). She advises first of all to check if there is "a man with a van" travelling regularly to and from the UK. One moved her belongings on a return journey to Portugal for around £2,000 - cheaper than a big removals firm, but make sure there is adequate insurance.
If you are buying a home overseas, make sure the utilities and relevant licenses are in order before you leave the UK. In Portugal, if you do not have a habitation licence [relevant to properties built after 1951 verifying they have met the right building standards] there will be no electricity - and on that note don't bring your television as it invariably won't work.
Sophie recommends leaving the car behind too if moving abroad as "changing number plates can be a nightmare due to local bureaucracy."
