We cannot properly carry out your home move without good access to your premises. Please ensure that you have spoken to your neighbours. Additionally, where necessary, have arranged to leave parking places clear. All walkways, pathways, stairs and passages should be clear of any obstructions. This will allow us free movement to your property.

You should ensure that you have read your utility meters before leaving. You should also have made the appropriate arrangements with the utility and telephone companies for transfer of your services.

Is there anyone in the household requiring regular medication or items such as asthma inhalers? We recommend to ensure that these are kept safely aside. Remember that you may be working in dusty conditions.

Make up a list to help you to record what’s in each box or container. Devise your own system but keep it simple. Ensure that it will allow you to easily identify where everything is packed. For example, you could use numbered labels and cross refer these to a list or notebook. In other words, you could have a box numbered “6” and a reference to this in your notebook listing the contents of box number “6”. While you are doing this, it is best to label what room you require this box going into. This will minimise any confusion on moving day and help with unpacking.

Please ensure that you do not overfill your boxes and cartons. Remember that they have to be lifted. Your furniture removal men are fully trained, but they are not supermen. Also, boxes that are overfilled may break under the strain.

Partially filled boxes may collapse if heavy items are placed on top of them. Try to distribute your things evenly in the available boxes.

It is essential that you have plenty of paper, bubble wrap, cartons and containers. You will also need lots of string and adhesive tape.

When packing valuable and fragile possessions, please remember that newsprint will rub off. Use plain paper where this may be a problem. Your ornaments, glassware and other delicate items can first be wrapped in kitchen roll before using newspaper. The containers holding these items should be clearly marked as “fragile”.

You may want to consider using coloured labels or otherwise marking your containers with a different colour for each room in the house. This will allow the removal men to place the containers in the appropriate room.

Ensure that you don’t place heavy items with sharp corners on top of sofas and other upholstery. These can be damaged quite easily if you do this.

Start packing two or three weeks in advance. Keep only essential items aside until the last day or two.

Boxes are preferred to bags for small items. Bags are easily torn and difficult to stack.

Where possible, use your suitcases and other luggage to pack your goods.

Remember to keep important documents aside. This will include any documents related to the house sale and your removal.

Food should be removed from cupboards and packed before the move. Ensure that all caps and screw fittings on jars and bottles are secured.

Ensure that any paint or other liquids is contained in leakproof containers. Pack in plastic bags before placing in boxes to minimise the effect of any spillages.

If you have young children, it would be advisable to look for babysitters while the move is taking place. It can be stressful moving home without trying to look after the kids. Furthermore, it can be hazardous with them being in the way. We cannot be responsible if children are running around our feet.

If you have pets, you should consider what is to happen to them on the day of removal. It is generally better that they are removed from the premises before the move takes place.

Remember to defrost your fridge and freezer no later than the day before your move. Ideally, you should run the contents of these down over the last couple of weeks before you go. After the fridge or freezer has been in transit, it is advised that you should leave it turned off for 24hrs until the gas inside settles.

Kitchen appliances such as fridges, freezers, or washing machines that contain water should be drained and allowed to dry before removal.

Ensure that any petrol driven equipment is cleaned and drained of fuel well before the move. If not, then it cannot be taken.

You should make arrangements for your evening meal in advance of your move. You don’t want to be trying to cook whilst the place is in turmoil. However, people can get short tempered when hungry, so treat yourselves to a take-away if necessary.

It goes without saying that it is far easier if you can get your decorating and carpet fitting done in advance where possible. But if it has already been done, then you may want to pay to protect your carpets. Our workmen cannot take off their safety boots, so please enquire about this.

Remove all lamp shades before the move. This would include table lampshades, ceiling and wall lamps if you are taking these with you.

Most beds require to be dismantled before they can be moved. Consider this and plan accordingly. If we dismantle furniture, this is £20 per item. We also cannot insure if damage occurs when dismantling.

If you need to use an elevator, or if parking spaces are a problem, ensure that you get these organised beforehand.

Self assembly furniture does not usually move well. It is better if you can make arrangements to have this dismantled before your move. You should also arrange for someone to reassemble it at your new home.

If you have plants, you may want to consider leaving these with a friend or neighbour. Some plants are delicate and may be affected by dust and paint fumes. It is better to leave these until you are settled in.

Keep all your essential items together in a suitable box for the day of the move. These will include things like your credit cards, keys, wallets and mobile phones.

Should your old house be getting left empty for a period of time, ensure that everything is turned off. Make sure that you pass the keys on to the estate agent.

Remember to cancel your milk, newspapers and any other items that are delivered to your old house.