Moving house tips and suggestions

[parentallyinept]

Apologies in advance if this has already been covered, I'm using the app on my phone so not very easy to search....
We finally exchanged contracts yesterday, and completion is set for the 16th I've got a removals company coming to give me a quote on Monday, and obviously we've started packing, but all other hints, tips, and advice would be gratefully received! Me and DH both work, and we have 3 young children, so things are going to be very hectic.
Thanks in advance

It may not actually cost much more to have the removal firm pack for you. Worth every penny imo. If you choose to have them pack for you, you can then spend your time decluttering and sorting out.

Yes ask the removal company to pack for you. It means everything is properly insured and they prefer it as they pack properly (e.g. don't load one box full of books etc). It usually only costs a couple hundred of quid extra and in the grand scheme of things makes your life 100 times easier (especially with young kids). Pack a box of stuff you want immediately on arrival (kettle, tea, mugs, gin etc) and a suitcase with clothes for a day or two and fresh duvet covers as you will want to set the beds up pretty quickly at your new house - pretty much everything else can wait. Organise the post office redirection now - it takes 10 days or so to set it up. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice - I've already got a brand new bottle of gin ready and waiting
I'm definitely going to take advantage of their packing service so long as it's not bank-breakingly expensive. We're currently in the world's smallest 3 bed end-of-terrace with no loft or garage so I really don't have the space for loads (any!) of boxes for the next 9 days.

book the packing service. You've left it way too late to pack yourself in your circumstances.

arrange your post office redirect for six months, starting on completion day. Insure new property now. Advise car insurers of new address. Read meters on both properties on completion day. Contact your broadband/landline supplier to make arrangements.

all else can wait until you move!

Sort and chuck as much as you can now.
Go to the tip/Charity shop and be ruthless.

Good luck.

Definitely declutter and if you can pay for packers great. Write a list of all the people to contact and don't lose it.
Pack a couple of separate bags/boxes for first few nights and remove away from packers so they don't end up in van.
Will kids be at school? Definitely try and get out of the house during process as there's nothing for them to do but wait.
Label all the boxes properly (or direct movers when packing) especially if sizing up so all ends up in right place and you're not moving boxes after they've left
Keep some cleaning stuff handy for final tidy up of house and then ready again for new property if needed (Hoover/mop/flash wipes)

Things to arrange
Post office (5 days in advance)
Broadband/phone (3-5 days)
Insurance
Council tax change in case due rebate for this time of year

And at the end a big bottle of something alcoholic and a takeaway menu!!

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions

Keep your paperwork - so passports, important certificates and other household documents separate from things you pack and take them with you in the car. You don't want to spend ages rummaging around for them, or God forbid, for them to get lost in the move.