sorting change of addresses before contract exchange?

[Keenoonvino]

I am expecting contract exchange in the next couple of weeks. I have a list as long as my arm of notices to give (gym, nursery) and addresses to change. But something it holding me back as a little voice is telling me that I haven't exchanged yet and all could go wrong still.

what does everyone else do? I know it could be only 2 weeks or so between exchange and completion....

[schmalex]

I wouldn't do it until after exchange. Things can get held up at the last minute and then you have to faff around untelling all the people you've told!

I also found that some places don't even want to hear from you until after you've actually moved.

I always get my post redirected after moving, so you don't have to change absolutely everything before completion.

[eurochick]

My parents have lost their sale 3 times on the day of exchange so I definitely wouldn't do anything before then. Two weeks between exchange and completion is plenty of time for that. It's a good idea to get a postal redirection too in case the message doesn't get through to the right database or you forget some.

[specialsubject]

hold fire. Have your post office form filled in and ready - they need a few days notice so 2 weeks is plenty. Set it for 3 months which is time to change everything - remember all letters to banks etc get you two in return, one to the old address and one to the new address, so you need a redirect.

the ones that HAVE to know for the date are house insurers, car insurers and the utility companies. Everything else can be done afterwards!

[Mintyy]

Well, you're quite right, it could all be a spectacular waste of time if anything goes wrong (fingers crossed it doesn't of course!).

[Keenoonvino]

Thanks everyone - some good advice here and I will go today to pick up my form from the post office!