Moving Home Tips, Planning Your Move

The Packing
Goodwins can do all, some or none of the packing, according to your wishes. If Goodwins are doing it all, and provided you have agreed with the estimator about what will and will not be packed, then just relax and let the staff get on with it.

What to take
Decide what you want to take early on and make sure the surveyor knows this before the quotation is provided.
Do not put everything together in one room or area; this makes it very difficult for the staff to work and will slow them down. It is helpful if you have removed anything that is not to go to your new home before moving day. If you can't, then just identify the items clearly.

Special items
If you have something unusual to take with you, let us know. We will make special arrangements for plants, fine art, antiques, wine collections, IT equipment, or anything else about which you are particularly concerned.

Moving home date
Arrange the date as far ahead as possible, but don't guess. Wait until you are sure before you book. Keep us informed if you think we might need to react at short notice.

Mains services
Our Staff are not allowed to tamper with mains services. Make arrangements with your gas/electricity companies well in advance. Also tell your telephone company and Internet Service Provider and, if required, make arrangements to keep your old numbers.

Deep freezers
It is advisable to run down stocks as much as possible - freezers are not designed to be moved whilst loaded.
For long distance moves they will need to be completely emptied and for short trips the contents may be temporarily removed, packed in boxes and reloaded at the new home. However, please note that neither the mover nor most insurers will accept responsibility for any deterioration of the contents.

Carpets and curtains
Goodwins will take down curtains and lift carpets by prior arrangement, but will not fit them again in your new home.

Light fittings
You should remove light fittings before moving day as our staff are not qualified or insured to do so.

System furniture
This is not designed to be moved in its assembled form and you should discuss this with who will be responsible for the dismantling. Generally speaking, removers would not expect to reassemble such furniture although they may, under certain circumstances, be prepared to quote separately for such work.

Chests of Drawers
Clothes and other light items may be left in drawers, but heavier items such as books, files or tools should be removed and packed separately

Parking
Tell removal surveyor if there are parking restrictions at either house; We will make arrangements with the authorities for permission to park if necessary.

Access
Tell your removal surveyor if there are any access difficulties at your new home. These include narrow streets, overhanging trees, unmade roads, small doorways, spiral staircases, etc. This will avoid additional delays and expense.

Multi-storey buildings
Tell us if you are moving to a flat or a multistorey building and whether or not there is a lift (and how big it is!). If necessary you will have to make arrangements for priority use of the lift for the day.

Spare key
Sometimes the removal vehicle will arrive at your new home before you do, so if you can, give the foreman a spare key, so they won't lose any time waiting for you.

Maps and plans
Please give the driver clear directions to your new home and a street map if possible. Also draw a floor plan of your new home and give it to the foreman so that everything can be put in the correct room. Colour coded labels can also help to identify the correct location for items - speak to the surveyor about this.

Children and pets
Try to have children and pets looked after by a relative or friend while the move is taking place. Older children will enjoy the excitement of the move and should be included as much as possible, both during the planning and the move itself, to help them understand the reasons for moving and reduce homesickness.

Golden rules
Choose a BAR member
BAR companies have the experience, expertise
and facilities to handle your move properly. If you need advice, call BAR on 020 8861 3331.

Plan your move well in advance
Contact Goodwins up to one month before you hope to move, even if you don't know exactly when the big day will be. We will tell you exactly what services we can offer and what things you need to think about so you can plan ahead effectively.

Don't do the packing yourself
If you can afford to have it done professionally, do so. Packing is not expensive. Goodwins use a range of appropriate packing materials and employ fully trained staff who will pack your things professionally and safely. Only goods that are packed professionally can be covered fully by insurance and you should take this into consideration when planning your move.

Take out insurance (Complete the valuation)
There can be no disguising the fact that moving can be a hazardous business. No matter how much care is taken with packing and handling, accidents can sometimes happen and for this reason you are strongly advised to take out appropriate insurance. All BAR members are able to offer such cover and you should discuss this with your mover.

Don't move on Friday
If you can, avoid Fridays. These are always busy. If you are going to experience expensive delays it will usually be a Friday due to money transfer problems, key exchange delays etc. If you have to move on a Friday get assurances from you solicitor that everything is set up for a smooth delay free transfer.

Book mains services for disconnections
Cancel all rental agreements
Notify your doctor, dentist, optician and vet
Notify your banks and credit card companies
Notify your telephone company and ISP
Arrange to re-route mail

Notify TV licence, car registration and passport offices
Arrange minders to look after pets and veryyoung children on the moving day
Send change of address cards to friends and relatives
Separate valuable items and important documents ready for you to hand-carry on moving day
Sort out any items which are not to be moved
Put garage/garden tools together
Take down any light fittings

Moving check list
Keep track of what you have to do by ticking the boxes as you complete each task.

Arrange visit of surveyor and discuss all aspects of your move
Receive and consider written quotation
Confirm dates with Goodwins
Sign and return contract and pay the charges
Arrange insurance

Advise the Goodwins about parking restrictions at both addresses
Arrange a contact number and give this to our
Office in advance of your move
Dispose of anything you don't want
Run down freezer contents
Contact carpet fitters if needed
Put together a basic catering pack for the family at the new home - including the kettle
Take down curtains and take up carpets which your mover has not been asked to do
Collect children's toys etc for the journey
Notify all your creditors

Moving home tips