Moving on a budget

Moving to a new home can be an expensive undertaking. It can also be quite stressful. Here are some ideas for moving home on a budget and a handy checklist of things to remember to do on moving day.

Firstly, work out what it’s all going to cost. You would be surprised how the cost of moving can really mount up. You need to consider;

• Removal costs - shop around for several different quotes.
• Removal insurance - check that the removal firm you hire is insured. If you’re moving yourself, think about arranging insurance cover.
• Storage costs - if you need to put items into storage between taking them out of your present home and moving them to your new one, shop around to compare prices and security arrangements.
• Extra moving day costs - do you need to budget for extra childcare or kennels for a pet?

Do you need that?
When you're packing ready for your new home, ask yourself - do I really need to take this? We human beings tend to hoard things we feel have sentimental value but really, they are just collecting dust! Now is the ideal time to minimise your space and start afresh with less stuff in your new home.

Get moving!
Once you've chosen your removal company, arrange a visit so they can see how much you have to move and if anything requires special handling. For peace of mind ensure your chosen removal company is a member of a reputable trade association such as the British Association of Removers, the Association of Independent Movers or the National Guild of Removers and Storers.

Moving packing tips
Make sure you clearly tell the removers if your belongings are fragile as it would be such a shame to break any precious items during the move - put big, prominent labels on boxes containing fragile items. Also, make sure you label each box with the room you want it to go into and a description of its contents. This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place.

Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is an effective way to keep track of what you’ve packed - and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.
Another handy tip is to avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box because this will just create more hassle and fuss on an already busy day. It will make your packing quicker and your unpacking a lot easier, too, to keep things together.

Arrange your bills
It is advisable to get to grips with your new household utility bills as soon as you can and remember to shop around to find the best deals for you.
Make sure you set up direct debits and keep track of what is coming into the household and what is going out.