Moving Out Moving In?

When you are moving home there are lots of things to think about and organise, we hope our notification checklist will be helpful.

Before the removal men arrive, be clear about what they are contracted to do and what you are expected to do. Lester's specific terms and conditions regarding responsibilities are shown in Appendix 2. If you are in any doubt, ask the Transport Manager, or call the office before your moving day.

Unless specified otherwise, leave the following tasks to the removal men:

  • The taking apart and reassembling of bedsteads, wardrobes and other large articles.
  • The taking down of pictures, mirrors etc.
  • The packing of small items, glass, china, kitchen utensils, books etc.
  • The taking up of loose floor coverings, such as rugs and carpet tiles. However, unless the transport Manager has advised you to the contrary, have all securing fitments and fastenings detached beforehand.
  • There is no need to unpack drawers, provided they do not contain any fragile or heavy items, or anything that can be spilt.
  • WARDROBE BOXES WILL BE SUPPLIED ON THE DAY OF REMOVAL.

What you should do
It is important that the following duties should all be attended to before the men arrive, as they will not normally perform them:

Take With You
Make up a special carton labelled "do not remove" for articles you want to take with you personally (eg daily medication and keys). Please ensure this carton is kept to one side.

Kitchen Food in Use
Tea, sugar etc. Pack these in a tin or box. Remember that on no account should foodstuffs or other perishables be sent for storage.

Load Last/Unload
First Box Items that you will need as you arrive at your destination: cleaning, kitchen and bathroom items; a few basic tools; assorted snack foods and drinks; a toy or two for the children etc. Include curtains for your bedroom and bathroom to avoid surprising the neighbours.

If you want to give the house a last clean before the removal van departs - or the new house a first clean as soon as the removal van arrives, set the necessary cleaning materials, items and vacuum cleaner etc. aside, marked "Load Last/ Unload First".

Inflammable or Explosive Materials
Dispose of these, or make separate arrangements to move them. On no account should they be packed, moved or stored along with other household contents. Accordingly, fuel should be drained from paraffin heaters and motor mowers. Batteries should be removed from portable gas cooker lighters.

Medicines Etc.
Check that all the caps, tops etc. are secure. Use clear nail varnish to seal where the cap meets the bottle, and / or sellotape the tops on.

Bedding
Strip the beds, fold the bedding and leave it stacked on the mattresses. (Fixed bottom sheets are best left off the mattress).

Garden Equipment
Have sheds and children's play equipment dismantled ready for leading if taking with you. Garden tools should be cleaned and assembled together. Clean and disinfect the dustbins.

Electrical and Gas Appliances
Where necessary have them prepared for removal by qualified service agents. Do not expect the removal men to disconnect cookers or fires, to bolt down the refrigerator motors or take down electrical fittings that they are wired to the mains (wall heaters, electric clocks etc.); or to remove bricks from storage heaters; or to get the TV ariel down from the roof; or to secure washing machine drums, which need to be bolted down with a transit bar.

Other Fixed Items
It is your responsibility to detach any fixed items, such as pelmets or towel rails, that you have arranged to take with you.

Parking Restrictions
Please warn our Transport Manager of any parking restrictions outside the house, so that police cooperation can be arranged. Keep frontage clear - parked cars can delay the move.

Money, Jewellery, Documents Etc.
Insurance premiums covering this type of item are normally excessive. It is best to take them with you personally.

Some hints for packing
Make groups of any items you particularly want to have packed together - e.g. children's toys. Make sure that anything required on the journey - coats, handbags, small cases, etc. is not loaded into the van by mistake. (Attach a "do not remove" sticker or group with items bearing these stickers and keep to one side.)

Anything left behind
Systematically check garden sheds, corners of attics, cellar etc. and bring out into the open anything that could possibly be overlooked by the packers. You are responsible for ensuring that nothing is left behind.

When removal men arrive
If you cannot be there yourself, let us know beforehand exactly who will be there. Accompany the man overseeing the move and show him each room. Be sure that he has the exact address of your new home and any relevant details affecting access (where to find your keys etc.) and - very important - that he knows where you can be contacted, if you are not going directly to your new address.

Moving In

The advance party
Possible delay can be avoided, if someone can travel ahead and open up the new home well before the removal van gets there. This gives you time to overcome any access problem (someone at the other end slipping up over keys), thus avoiding the excess charges of £25.00 per hour that the removal men will have to charge you just to remain in their van outside a closed property.

Finalise your sketch plan showing in which rooms you want the removal men to put what - now is your chance to make any last-minute amendments. It can also save much time and confusion if you stand at the entrance and specify the location of each item as it is carried in.

Checklist

You may need to notify some or all of these organisations/people of your move:

  • Doctor
  • Dentist
  • House insurance company
  • Car insurance company
  • Electricity Supplier
  • Water Supplier
  • Gas Supplier
  • Telephone company (Landline & Moblie)
  • Internet provider
  • Bank
  • Post Office
  • Building Society
  • Inland Revenue
  • School / college
  • Local council
  • Library
  • DVLA
  • Motor organisation
  • Milkman
  • Newsagent / magazine subscription
  • Sports / social club
  • Satellite / cable TV provider
  • Church / place of worship
  • Vet

To download our moving in guide click here